About this role
Job summary
The Lead Practitioner will work alongside the Head of Pastoral Care to shape the strategic direction of the department and ensure delivery of a high-quality pastoral, spiritual, religious, and cultural care service. The post holder will act as both a senior practitioner and deputy manager, supporting people who use our services, their carers, and Trust staff across a diverse mental health and learning disability setting.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties
Provide specialist pastoral, spiritual, and religious care across mental health wards, community mental health teams, and learning disability services. Respond to urgent and routine referrals across the Trust. Work autonomously and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary, multi-faith team. Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and strategic planning. Support, supervise, and develop volunteers and junior staff. Deliver training and education on pastoral and spiritual care. Ensure the service is accessible, safe, culturally competent, and responsive to the needs of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.
About us
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.
We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.
Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast.
Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.
Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Job description Job responsibilities
Please check the job description & person specification document for more information on the requirements for this job
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Significant post-qualification experience as a pastoral and spiritual care practitioner Significant experience delivering pastoral, spiritual, and religious care within mental health and/or learning disability services Experience working across inpatient, community, and residential care settings Experience of leading, developing, and supporting staff, volunteers, students, or trainees through supervision, mentoring, or management Experience of contributing to strategic planning and service development Experience of leading or participating in quality improvement, audit, or service transformation initiatives Experience of developing and delivering education, training, and reflective practice programmes Experience of managing complex ethical, pastoral, or safeguarding issues
Desirable
Experience of deputising for a service lead, manager, or head of department Experience of recruitment, appraisal, performance management, or workforce development processes Experience of research, publication, or service evaluation
Qualifications Essential
Degree in Theology/Religious Studies or equivalent to Level 6 or above, must be a practitioner with considerable experience in mental healthcare , (see JD on qualification requirements Recognised specialist training in pastoral, spiritual, theological, or religious care relevant to healthcare settings Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) Recognised faith community authorisation, licence, endorsement, or equivalent, and in good standing with the relevant faith or belief community Registered with, or eligible for registration with, the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy (UKBHC)
Desirable
Accreditation or registration with an appropriate professional body where applicable (e.g. BACP, UKCP, BPS) Postgraduate qualification in Theology, Chaplaincy, Counselling, Psychotherapy, Healthcare, Leadership, or a related discipline Leadership or management qualification Quality Improvement, Coaching, Supervision, or Project Management qualification
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address Silverwood
Holloway Hill, Lyne,
Chertsey
KT16 0AE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)