Chaplain​/Keyworker

Chaplain/Keyworker

The closing date is 29 July 2026.

We are seeking to appoint a chaplain of any faith tradition, or person with equivalent skills and experience, to join our team and to have particular responsibility for supporting families of children who are palliative or who have been bereaved, acting as their keyworker when a child dies. The post holder will be based in the SWFT chaplaincy team but will work closely with the community children's nursing team and will be part of their MDT.

They will also work closely with the acute paediatric nursing team.

They will support staff who care for very sick and dying children, and provide training for bereavement support, compassionate conversations, and staff wellbeing. They will help staff in the identification of spiritual and religious need.

We expect this unique post to be filled by a chaplain, however we recognise that there may be someone with similar skills and aptitudes, but different professional training, who may also wish to apply. We encourage all applications and welcome conversation before submitting your application.

This post will build on the foundations laid by previous post-holders and gives opportunity for some truly creative and collaborative work to make a real difference to families who are going through very difficult and complex times.

The Team Chaplain is to work with the whole Chaplaincy team in the delivery of pastoral, spiritual and religious care to all patients, their relatives and staff.

Knowledge, Training and Expertise

Assist and advise external partners, e.g. representatives of faith communities, in the pastoral care of their people while in hospital, and to receive information from them, always observing the rules of confidentiality by which every NHS employee is bound.

Contribute to the development of spiritual healthcare in a multi‑faith setting, being sensitive to and aware of the varying pastoral, spiritual and religious needs of diverse ethnic groups, and to assist staff on responding to their needs.

Adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct (2024) of the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplains and of the College of Health Care Chaplains.

Communication Skills and Working Relationships

Be an informed, visible, and active presence in the Trust, visiting wards or departments frequently; ensuring that the pastoral, spiritual and religious needs of patients, staff and relatives are met.

Communicate clearly and empathetically with patients, relatives and staff at all times.

To use advanced communication skills and inter‑personal skills to give and receive complex information often in sensitive or intense situations, e.g. following receipt of bad news or where there may be barriers to understanding or acceptance.

Work with the early pregnancy, maternity and neonatal teams to offer support to parents and families experiencing baby loss at any stage of gestation, or the care of extremely ill babies.

Actively offer a ministry of encouragement to staff and offer time and space for supportive listening and counsel when sought.

Help patients, relatives and staff articulate their pastoral, spiritual or religious needs and identify resources to address them.

Ensure that the prayer rooms, Chapel and Oasis are properly maintained and accessible to all.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Contribute to education programmes within the Trust to enhance understanding of spiritual, cultural, and religious needs of patients and staff.

Provide support to members of multi‑disciplinary teams engaged in pastoral and spiritual assessment or referral, to help this become a standard part of patient care.

Planning and Organisational Skills

Plan and organise own workload.

Ensure that suitable religious services, rites, and ceremonies are made available to all who require them, without discrimination and in consultation with ward staff and the patients religious community as appropriate.

Plan, organise and conduct adult contract funerals, baby funerals (at any stage of gestation) thanksgiving, memorial, and other services as required.

Freedom to Act

Initiate and take responsibility for own work pattern within the parameters…