Deputy Lead Chaplain

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced chaplain to play a leading role in delivering compassionate, inclusive and belief-diverse spiritual care across one of the South West's largest NHS organisations.

As Deputy Lead Chaplain, you will be the provide advanced spiritual, pastoral and religious care to patients, families and staff, particularly in complex and sensitive situations such as end-of-life care, bereavement, trauma and major incidents. Working across hospital sites and services, you will help ensure that every person receives support that respects their faith, beliefs, values and individual needs.

Working closely with the Lead Chaplain, you will provide professional leadership, supervision and support to chaplaincy colleagues while helping to coordinate and develop a high-quality chaplaincy service across the Trust. You will contribute to workforce development, education, quality improvement and service innovation, while building strong relationships with clinical teams, community faith groups and partner organisations.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for someone who combines outstanding chaplaincy practice with a passion for leadership, inclusion and continuous improvement, and who wants to make a meaningful difference to patient experience, staff wellbeing and compassionate care.

Main duties of the job

The Deputy Lead Chaplain provides senior professional leadership and advanced specialist chaplaincy practice across Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.

The postholder is the Trust's senior specialist chaplain practitioner, delivering high-quality, belief-inclusive spiritual, pastoral and religious care to patients, families and staff. They provide professional support, supervision and mentorship to chaplaincy colleagues, model exemplary practice, and promote consistent, trauma-informed and culturally competent chaplaincy services across the Trust.

Working closely with the Lead Chaplain, the Deputy Lead Chaplain supports the operational leadership of the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service, contributing to workforce development, governance, quality assurance, service improvement and the delivery of high-quality chaplaincy services across all Trust sites and associated services.

About us

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.

Details

Date posted

06 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year

Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

387-TS9112-MF

Job locations

Trust-wide

Bristol

BS1 3LH

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Provide advanced, belief-inclusive spiritual, pastoral and religious care to patients, families and staff.

Provide specialist advice and guidance to patients, carers and multidisciplinary teams on complex ethical, spiritual and religious matters.

Promote inclusive, trauma-informed and culturally competent chaplaincy practice.

Provide day-to-day professional leadership, advice and support to chaplaincy colleagues

Deliver professional and pastoral supervision, reflective practice, mentoring and support to chaplaincy staff.

Model exemplary chaplaincy practice and promote consistent professional standards, values and behaviours across the service.

Support the Lead Chaplain in the development of the chaplaincy workforce

Coordinate the day-to-day deployment of chaplaincy staff.

Support the delivery of resilient on-call and out-of-hours chaplaincy services, ensuring appropriate service cover and continuity of care.

Participate in the Trust's 24-hour on-call rota, responding to urgent requests across all Trust sites in accordance with agreed service standards.

Provide chaplaincy support during major incidents and emergency situations

Maintain effective communication, handover and coordination between chaplaincy staff, multidisciplinary teams and other services to support seamless patient care.

Ensure accurate, confidential and timely documentation and record keeping in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards.

Contribute to governance, quality assurance and continuous improvement within the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service.

Participate in audit, service evaluation, thematic reviews and organisational learning arising from incidents, complaints, feedback and patient experience.

Support the implementation of Trust policies, professional standards and operational guidance, promoting safe, effective and evidence-informed chaplaincy practice.

Identify opportunities to strengthen access to spiritual, pastoral and religious care, improve patient and staff experience, and lead or contribute to quality improvement initiatives.

Design and deliver education and training on spiritual, pastoral and religious care, faith-sensitive practice, bereavement, end-of-life care and belief-inclusive approaches for clinical and non-clinical staff.

Provide pastoral and spiritual support for Trust staff, contributing to wellbeing initiatives, reflective practice, Schwartz Rounds and critical incident support.

Develop educational resources, guidance and learning opportunities

Develop and maintain effective relationships with faith communities, belief groups, chaplaincy volunteers and community partners to support inclusive, accessible and culturally responsive spiritual, pastoral and religious care.

Coordinate and support the provision of multi-faith and belief-inclusive chaplaincy services, including liaison with visiting faith and belief representatives.

Represent the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service within relevant internal and external networks, partnerships and forums.

Strengthen links between the Trust, local communities and faith and belief organisations to promote integrated, person-centred spiritual care.

Deputise for the Lead Chaplain as required, providing operational and professional leadership to ensure continuity of the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service.

Work collaboratively with clinical services, Divisions and corporate teams, including Patient Experience, Safeguarding, Bereavement Services and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, to support holistic, person-centred care.

Provide specialist chaplaincy expertise to the development of clinical pathways, policies, service improvement initiatives and organisational programmes

Job responsibilities

Provide advanced, belief-inclusive spiritual, pastoral and religious care to patients, families and staff.

Provide specialist advice and guidance to patients, carers and multidisciplinary teams on complex ethical, spiritual and religious matters.

Promote inclusive, trauma-informed and culturally competent chaplaincy practice.

Provide day-to-day professional leadership, advice and support to chaplaincy colleagues

Deliver professional and pastoral supervision, reflective practice, mentoring and support to chaplaincy staff.

Model exemplary chaplaincy practice and promote consistent professional standards, values and behaviours across the service.

Support the Lead Chaplain in the development of the chaplaincy workforce

Coordinate the day-to-day deployment of chaplaincy staff.

Support the delivery of resilient on-call and out-of-hours chaplaincy services, ensuring appropriate service cover and continuity of care.

Participate in the Trust's 24-hour on-call rota, responding to urgent requests across all Trust sites in accordance with agreed service standards.

Provide chaplaincy support during major incidents and emergency situations

Maintain effective communication, handover and coordination between chaplaincy staff, multidisciplinary teams and other services to support seamless patient care.

Ensure accurate, confidential and timely documentation and record keeping in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards.

Contribute to governance, quality assurance and continuous improvement within the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service.

Participate in audit, service evaluation, thematic reviews and organisational learning arising from incidents, complaints, feedback and patient experience.

Support the implementation of Trust policies, professional standards and operational guidance, promoting safe, effective and evidence-informed chaplaincy practice.

Identify opportunities to strengthen access to spiritual, pastoral and religious care, improve patient and staff experience, and lead or contribute to quality improvement initiatives.

Design and deliver education and training on spiritual, pastoral and religious care, faith-sensitive practice, bereavement, end-of-life care and belief-inclusive approaches for clinical and non-clinical staff.

Provide pastoral and spiritual support for Trust staff, contributing to wellbeing initiatives, reflective practice, Schwartz Rounds and critical incident support.

Develop educational resources, guidance and learning opportunities

Develop and maintain effective relationships with faith communities, belief groups, chaplaincy volunteers and community partners to support inclusive, accessible and culturally responsive spiritual, pastoral and religious care.

Coordinate and support the provision of multi-faith and belief-inclusive chaplaincy services, including liaison with visiting faith and belief representatives.

Represent the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service within relevant internal and external networks, partnerships and forums.

Strengthen links between the Trust, local communities and faith and belief organisations to promote integrated, person-centred spiritual care.

Deputise for the Lead Chaplain as required, providing operational and professional leadership to ensure continuity of the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service.

Work collaboratively with clinical services, Divisions and corporate teams, including Patient Experience, Safeguarding, Bereavement Services and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, to support holistic, person-centred care.

Provide specialist chaplaincy expertise to the development of clinical pathways, policies, service improvement initiatives and organisational programmes

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Degree-level qualification in theology, religious studies, spiritual care, pastoral studies or a related discipline.
• Recognised professional chaplaincy qualification or accredited training (e.g. CPCPC-accredited programme, CHCC training or equivalent).
• Eligibility for registration with the Council of Professional Chaplains and Pastoral Carers (CPCPC), or an equivalent recognised professional body.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in chaplaincy, spiritual care, multi-faith practice, supervision or end-of-life care.

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in chaplaincy, pastoral theology, spirituality, ethics or a related field.
• Training or qualification in supervision, counselling, coaching, reflective practice or pastoral supervision.
• Training or qualification in education, teaching, facilitation or learning and development.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience providing spiritual, pastoral and religious care within a healthcare or similarly complex environment.
• Experience supporting people from diverse faiths, beliefs and worldviews, demonstrating inclusive, culturally competent and person-centred practice.
• Experience providing professional supervision, mentorship or support to chaplaincy colleagues or spiritual care practitioners.
• Experience delivering care in highly complex, sensitive and distressing circumstances, including end-of-life care, bereavement, trauma and major incidents.
• Knowledge of national chaplaincy standards, professional guidance (including CPCPC and CHCC where applicable) and relevant NHS legislation, policy and best practice.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and building effective professional relationships across services.
• Experience contributing to governance, quality improvement, audit, service evaluation or organisational learning.

Desirable

• Experience coordinating chaplaincy rotas, on-call arrangements or operational service delivery.
• Experience working across multiple sites or services.
• Experience contributing to regulatory inspections, incident reviews or organisational assurance processes (e.g. CQC, PSIRF).

Skills and Behaviours

Essential

• Highly developed pastoral, spiritual and religious care skills, with excellent listening, communication, empathy and emotional support capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with sensitivity to diverse cultural, faith and belief backgrounds.
• Ability to provide credible professional leadership, supervision and support to chaplaincy colleagues.
• Ability to model inclusive, trauma-informed, belief-inclusive and person-centred practice.
• Strong organisational, prioritisation and coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing demands effectively.
• Demonstrates emotional resilience, professional judgement and self-awareness when working in demanding and sensitive situations.
• Ability to build effective collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams, services and organisational boundaries.
• Commitment to reflective practice, continuous professional development, quality improvement and inclusive chaplaincy practice.

Desirable

• Ability to design and deliver education and training.
• Ability to contribute to research, service evaluation or the development of evidence-informed chaplaincy practice.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Degree-level qualification in theology, religious studies, spiritual care, pastoral studies or a related discipline.
• Recognised professional chaplaincy qualification or accredited training (e.g. CPCPC-accredited programme, CHCC training or equivalent).
• Eligibility for registration with the Council of Professional Chaplains and Pastoral Carers (CPCPC), or an equivalent recognised professional body.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in chaplaincy, spiritual care, multi-faith practice, supervision or end-of-life care.

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in chaplaincy, pastoral theology, spirituality, ethics or a related field.
• Training or qualification in supervision, counselling, coaching, reflective practice or pastoral supervision.
• Training or qualification in education, teaching, facilitation or learning and development.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience providing spiritual, pastoral and religious care within a healthcare or similarly complex environment.
• Experience supporting people from diverse faiths, beliefs and worldviews, demonstrating inclusive, culturally competent and person-centred practice.
• Experience providing professional supervision, mentorship or support to chaplaincy colleagues or spiritual care practitioners.
• Experience delivering care in highly complex, sensitive and distressing circumstances, including end-of-life care, bereavement, trauma and major incidents.
• Knowledge of national chaplaincy standards, professional guidance (including CPCPC and CHCC where applicable) and relevant NHS legislation, policy and best practice.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and building effective professional relationships across services.
• Experience contributing to governance, quality improvement, audit, service evaluation or organisational learning.

Desirable

• Experience coordinating chaplaincy rotas, on-call arrangements or operational service delivery.
• Experience working across multiple sites or services.
• Experience contributing to regulatory inspections, incident reviews or organisational assurance processes (e.g. CQC, PSIRF).

Skills and Behaviours

Essential

• Highly developed pastoral, spiritual and religious care skills, with excellent listening, communication, empathy and emotional support capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with sensitivity to diverse cultural, faith and belief backgrounds.
• Ability to provide credible professional leadership, supervision and support to chaplaincy colleagues.
• Ability to model inclusive, trauma-informed, belief-inclusive and person-centred practice.
• Strong organisational, prioritisation and coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing demands effectively.
• Demonstrates emotional resilience, professional judgement and self-awareness when working in demanding and sensitive situations.
• Ability to build effective collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams, services and organisational boundaries.
• Commitment to reflective practice, continuous professional development, quality improvement and inclusive chaplaincy practice.

Desirable

• Ability to design and deliver education and training.
• Ability to contribute to research, service evaluation or the development of evidence-informed chaplaincy practice.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust-wide

Bristol

BS1 3LH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust-wide

Bristol

BS1 3LH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

Provide advanced, belief-inclusive spiritual, pastoral and religious care to patients, families and staff.

Provide specialist advice and guidance to patients, carers and multidisciplinary teams on complex ethical, spiritual and religious matters.

Promote inclusive, trauma-informed and culturally competent chaplaincy practice.

Provide day-to-day professional leadership, advice and support to chaplaincy colleagues

Deliver professional and pastoral supervision, reflective practice, mentoring and support to chaplaincy staff.

Model exemplary chaplaincy practice and promote consistent professional standards, values and behaviours across the service.

Support the Lead Chaplain in the development of the chaplaincy workforce

Coordinate the day-to-day deployment of chaplaincy staff.

Support the delivery of resilient on-call and out-of-hours chaplaincy services, ensuring appropriate service cover and continuity of care.

Participate in the Trust's 24-hour on-call rota, responding to urgent requests across all Trust sites in accordance with agreed service standards.

Provide chaplaincy support during major incidents and emergency situations

Maintain effective communication, handover and coordination between chaplaincy staff, multidisciplinary teams and other services to support seamless patient care.

Ensure accurate, confidential and timely documentation and record keeping in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards.

Contribute to governance, quality assurance and continuous improvement within the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service.

Participate in audit, service evaluation, thematic reviews and organisational learning arising from incidents, complaints, feedback and patient experience.

Support the implementation of Trust policies, professional standards and operational guidance, promoting safe, effective and evidence-informed chaplaincy practice.

Identify opportunities to strengthen access to spiritual, pastoral and religious care, improve patient and staff experience, and lead or contribute to quality improvement initiatives.

Design and deliver education and training on spiritual, pastoral and religious care, faith-sensitive practice, bereavement, end-of-life care and belief-inclusive approaches for clinical and non-clinical staff.

Provide pastoral and spiritual support for Trust staff, contributing to wellbeing initiatives, reflective practice, Schwartz Rounds and critical incident support.

Develop educational resources, guidance and learning opportunities

Develop and maintain effective relationships with faith communities, belief groups, chaplaincy volunteers and community partners to support inclusive, accessible and culturally responsive spiritual, pastoral and religious care.

Coordinate and support the provision of multi-faith and belief-inclusive chaplaincy services, including liaison with visiting faith and belief representatives.

Represent the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service within relevant internal and external networks, partnerships and forums.

Strengthen links between the Trust, local communities and faith and belief organisations to promote integrated, person-centred spiritual care.

Deputise for the Lead Chaplain as required, providing operational and professional leadership to ensure continuity of the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service.

Work collaboratively with clinical services, Divisions and corporate teams, including Patient Experience, Safeguarding, Bereavement Services and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, to support holistic, person-centred care.

Provide specialist chaplaincy expertise to the development of clinical pathways, policies, service improvement initiatives and organisational programmes

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Degree-level qualification in theology, religious studies, spiritual care, pastoral studies or a related discipline.
• Recognised professional chaplaincy qualification or accredited training (e.g. CPCPC-accredited programme, CHCC training or equivalent).
• Eligibility for registration with the Council of Professional Chaplains and Pastoral Carers (CPCPC), or an equivalent recognised professional body.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in chaplaincy, spiritual care, multi-faith practice, supervision or end-of-life care.

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in chaplaincy, pastoral theology, spirituality, ethics or a related field.
• Training or qualification in supervision, counselling, coaching, reflective practice or pastoral supervision.
• Training or qualification in education, teaching, facilitation or learning and development.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience providing spiritual, pastoral and religious care within a healthcare or similarly complex environment.
• Experience supporting people from diverse faiths, beliefs and worldviews, demonstrating inclusive, culturally competent and person-centred practice.
• Experience providing professional supervision, mentorship or support to chaplaincy colleagues or spiritual care practitioners.
• Experience delivering care in highly complex, sensitive and distressing circumstances, including end-of-life care, bereavement, trauma and major incidents.
• Knowledge of national chaplaincy standards, professional guidance (including CPCPC and CHCC where applicable) and relevant NHS legislation, policy and best practice.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and building effective professional relationships across services.
• Experience contributing to governance, quality improvement, audit, service evaluation or organisational learning.

Desirable

• Experience coordinating chaplaincy rotas, on-call arrangements or operational service delivery.
• Experience working across multiple sites or services.
• Experience contributing to regulatory inspections, incident reviews or organisational assurance processes (e.g. CQC, PSIRF).

Skills and Behaviours

Essential

• Highly developed pastoral, spiritual and religious care skills, with excellent listening, communication, empathy and emotional support capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with sensitivity to diverse cultural, faith and belief backgrounds.
• Ability to provide credible professional leadership, supervision and support to chaplaincy colleagues.
• Ability to model inclusive, trauma-informed, belief-inclusive and person-centred practice.
• Strong organisational, prioritisation and coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing demands effectively.
• Demonstrates emotional resilience, professional judgement and self-awareness when working in demanding and sensitive situations.
• Ability to build effective collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams, services and organisational boundaries.
• Commitment to reflective practice, continuous professional development, quality improvement and inclusive chaplaincy practice.

Desirable

• Ability to design and deliver education and training.
• Ability to contribute to research, service evaluation or the development of evidence-informed chaplaincy practice.