Health Care Chaplaincy Steering Committee

Nomination Procedures
For Part Time Free Church Chaplaincy Vacancies

Purpose      

Part time chaplains working in the National Health Service are appointed and employed by NHS or Primary Care Trusts as members of staff.

The purpose of the nomination procedures is to facilitate the provision of suitable and authorised applicants from among the local Free Church ministers to present to the Trust.

Definitions

Part time   chaplains previously described as ‘sessional’ are now ‘part time’ and should receive pro-rata remuneration of an appropriate equivalent whole time post.

Part time posts of less than half time are ‘advertised’ locally using the nomination system. Whole time posts are advertised in the religious press.

Minister    The term includes Salvation Army Officers and members of the Methodist Diaconal Order.

Procedure

1.     The HCCSC office receives notification of an impending or existing vacancy or of a new sessional post.

2.     The HCCSC office initiates a process whereby ministers of all Free Churches Group member churches in the area are made aware of the vacancy. Some chaplaincy teams now provide a short job description for circulation.

3.     Ministers expressing interest in applying, complete a short form for Free Church purposes. This includes signing up to a Code of Conduct.

4.     The HCCSC Secretary checks details then forwards the nominations to the Trust.

5.     The Trust from thereon deals directly with the nominee(s) undertaking whatever selection process is thought appropriate by the Trust.

6.     The Trust informs the HCCSC office of the details of the appointment when/if made.

NB: Wales 

Notification of vacancies goes to the relevant liaison representative(s) whose responsibility is to contact local areas and complete nomination forms. These representatives act as a link between HCCSC and local Free Church Councils or equivalent bodies. Denominational leaders also receive notification of vacancies to encourage suitable applicants.     

Conditions of nomination

1.         The nominee must sign the Statement of Professional Conduct for Free Church Hospital Chaplains and must recognise that chaplains are bound by NHS rules of confidentiality and open to child protection scrutiny.

2          Applicants must be willing to represent all denominations of the Free Churches Group.

3          Applicants must be under the NHS retirement age, which is usually 65 years for new appointments.

4          They should normally be accredited ministers of the member churches of the Free Churches Group. Suitably qualified lay people and ministers of non-member denominations may in certain circumstances be nominated. In such cases the HCCSC Secretary should be consulted.

5.         Nominees must have the recognition of their own denomination and be    subject to that churches discipline.

6.         Where the practice of a nominee's church precludes that person from administering Infant Baptism and/or Holy Communion, he/she must agree, to make formal alternative arrangements in consultation with chaplaincy team colleagues.

7.         There is no denominational ‘rota’ system and no chaplaincy can be assumed to be linked to a particular church/circuit appointment. The Trust makes the appointment on merit and service needs and the length of the chaplaincy contract is determined by the Trust.

 8.         Free Church chaplaincy is undertaken in the context of ecumenical teamwork. Applicants must be willing to work in close co-operation with Anglican and Roman Catholic chaplaincy colleagues - and those of other world faiths.

9.       Where there is a Chaplaincy Covenant (chaplaincy ecumenical partnership) in place, the successful applicant will be expected to work within the terms of the Covenant.

10.       Chaplains should recognise the value of maintaining and developing relationships with the local Christian and other faith communities and with colleagues, take opportunities to encourage interest in and support for the chaplaincy.

12.       Chaplains must, on resignation, give required notice to the employing Trust and the same notice to the HCCSC office.

Suitability for Health Care Chaplaincy Nomination

It is expected that applicants will have:

Relevant skills, gifts and graces; eg:

·                 Theological awareness

·                 A willingness to co-operate and work with colleagues in chaplaincy and other disciplines in the Trust 

·                  Aptitude appropriate to the area of chaplaincy

·                  Listening skills

·                  A willingness to learn and extend knowledge and skills

Suitable applicants may be in ordained or in accredited lay ministry