Force Chaplain - Avon & Somerset Police

We are seeking a compassionate and caring individual to join as a Force Chaplain within Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Could you make a valuable difference to those who need support in times of need? Are you able to provide practical and spiritual care regardless of faith or background?

As a Force Chaplain you will build relationships of acceptance, friendship, and trust primarily with our officers and staff by listening to their needs and offering a source of wellbeing support and advice. Working in policing is a demanding role on people and a listening ear and understanding can make an enormous difference, demonstrating our force value of caring.

We welcome applications from people of all faiths and none, who are professional, sensitive to the needs of others and capable of providing impartial and confidential support. You will need to have significant experience of leadership within a faith or belief organisation and knowledge of faith communities in the Avon and Somerset area, including the diverse city of Bristol. You will be an excellent communicator and be able to liaise and form partnerships with a range of faith groups.

As an organisation we are caring, inclusive, courageous and committed to learning. Our values guide the way we behave, the decisions we make and how we treat people. 

In this role your main responsibilities will include: 

• Building effective relationships with police officers and staff of all faiths and none in order to foster acceptance and trust to be able to offer support to teams and individuals.
• Providing impartial and confidential (where appropriate) pastoral support, in line with equality and diversity legislation, force policies and procedures to police officers, staff and their families in order to support wellbeing.
• Liaising with local resilience forums, external faith organisations and groups in planning and recovering from major incidents to support all those involved.
• Promoting the wellbeing and pastoral support available through police chaplains to all police officers and staff to ensure awareness and understanding of help available in times of personal need.
• Advising and engaging with force senior management teams and colleagues by offering advice and guidance on ethical, moral and faith related issues and by acting as a critical friend to inform the design and impact of policies, procedures, and practice where appropriate.

 Skills and experience required: 

• Caring with an ability to remain calm and understanding of pressures and needs of individual under pressure, personally and professionally.
• Have experience of leadership within a faith or belief organisation.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal.
• Able to liaise and form partnerships with a range of faith groups.
• Hold or willing to work towards membership of Police Chaplaincy U.K. (PCUK) and attending its national conferences.

What We Offer: 

Our employee rewards reflect our culture and go beyond just salary. We offer a comprehensive package of financial, lifestyle, and health benefits to support you at every stage of life and in the moments that matter. Our rewards include a pension scheme for financial security, occupational health services and an employee assistance program for health and wellbeing, and lifestyle perks such as gym memberships, online retail discounts, and savings on dining out.

Additional Information: 

This role is a fixed position working from a police site to be agreed with the successful applicant. This role covers the Avon and Somerset force area and you will be expected to travel within the force area to all stations and sites if and when required.

Applicants successful at shortlisting will be invited to attend an interview.

Avon and Somerset Police are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes. This helps to ensure a police service that we can all be proud to be a part of because everyone feels safe, valued and part of a happy and supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers will be subject to background checks, including vetting and references. This role requires completion of an enhanced DBS check.

To be eligible to apply for this role you must have a 3 year ‘checkable history’ in the UK – ideally this means that you would have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years. 

For more information or to apply please visit the Force website