Role Of Chaplains | Faith Matters

The document “The Role of Chaplains Working in Public Sector Institutions: Experiences from Muslim Communities" provides guidance on the role of chaplains working in public institutions such as universities, prisons and hospitals.

It draws on the experience of Muslim chaplains and communities to identify best practice in both the skills, competences and experiences of chaplains and the processes for appointment of chaplains in the public sector.

This guidance captures existing best practice from Muslim communities with the aim of sharing this more widely to help support consistent high standards in the skills, knowledge, training and recruitment of public sector chaplains.  It is focused on ensuring public sector chaplains have the necessary skills and support to meet the needs of those in their care.

Chaplains play an important role in communities and public institutions
throughout England. Through the provision of religious, pastoral and spiritual support and advice they help ensure that those using or working in public institutions have access to services that meet their needs and a high standard of care. This includes caring for those in particularly vulnerable situations and protecting them from exploitation from others.

This document provides straightforward and practical guidance for use by public institutions, chaplains and faith-based organisations in developing chaplaincy services.

This guidance is intended to help:

• public institutions to consider how their chaplaincy services are meeting the spiritual, pastoral, religious and cultural needs and providing the highest standards of care for their service users and staff;
• chaplains in their personal and professional development;
• faith organisations, where existing guidance is not in place, to provide effective support to institutions and faith leaders in the selection and development of chaplaincy; and
• those looking to become chaplains to understand the requirements and demands of the role.

Download Guidance Document Here

This guidance is based on the experience of Muslim chaplains and communities but is designed to be useful to chaplains of any faith, where existing guidance is not already in place.

Is it compulsory?

The guidance is voluntary and designed to be considered within the context of:

• institutions’ existing HR and legal policies and procedures;
• existing guidance and structures for chaplaincy developed by other faith institutions; and
• the particular needs and requirements of the institution and its service users.

Download Guidance Document Here