Pagan Religious Visitor

Pagan Religious Visitor / Chaplain

Location: HMP Thameside, Thamesmead, Greater London, United Kingdom (SE28 0FJ)

Job ID: 308029

Employment Type: Permanent, Part-Time

Schedule: 8 hours per week

Salary: £7,135.26 per annum + £1,300 London Weighting Allowance (pro rata)

About Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency

At Supportive Bridge, we connect compassionate, faith-centered professionals with vital pastoral and chaplaincy roles within public-sector environments. Partnering with leading justice service providers, we specialize in placing candidates into stable positions where your spiritual guidance, empathy, and inclusive care help build calmer, safer, and more positive custodial communities.

Role Overview

As a Pagan Religious Visitor (Chaplain) within our Chaplaincy Team at HMP Thameside, you will support individuals through some of the most meaningful and challenging moments of their lives. You will help create opportunities for reflection, connection, and faith-based support, ensuring that people of all faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds can access respectful, inclusive, and compassionate pastoral care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Pastoral & Spiritual Guidance: Act as a faith and belief adviser, offering compassionate pastoral care and spiritual welfare to prisoners, colleagues, and families.

• Worship & Programmes: Plan and lead worship, meditation, prayer, study, and specific Pagan faith gatherings.

• Team Collaboration & Mentorship: Work collaboratively within a multi-faith chaplaincy team while supporting and mentoring volunteers and colleagues.

• Policy & Development: Contribute to local chaplaincy policies, procedures, and best practices, including organizing Faith Awareness Training.

• Administration & Compliance: Acquire and distribute appropriate religious literature, coordinate contractor/volunteer services, and complete administrative reporting linked to targets.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a dedicated and knowledgeable practitioner with deep roots in the Pagan community who can communicate effectively and foster inclusive support.

Requirements:

• Faith Experience: Proven experience within your own Pagan faith, backed by a minimum of 3 years delivering services or activities within a custodial or similar environment.

• Community Endorsement: Ongoing active membership in the Pagan community, with training/practice references and an endorsement from the HMPPS Pagan faith and belief adviser.

• Knowledge & Competency: Strong theological competence across more than one Pagan tradition and the ability to teach across traditions.

• Communication: Strong spoken English skills to confidently deliver all aspects of pastoral care and group leadership.

• Vetting Readiness: Ability to pass Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, enhanced background security clearance, and an occupational health questionnaire.

What We Offer You

• Financial Benefits: Competitive pro-rata salary plus London Weighting Allowance and up to a 6% matched contributory pension scheme.

• Leave & Parking: Competitive annual leave entitlement and free on-site car parking.

• Training & Progression: Access to over 1,100 internal training courses, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager), mentorship, and clear internal career paths.

• Health & Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, a wellbeing app, 24/7 virtual GP access, and 30% off at managed leisure centres.

• Perks & Community: Around 1,000 retail discounts, a paid volunteering day, payroll-giving charity options, and active employee inclusion networks (LGBTQIA+, disability, veterans, and multicultural networks).

Our Recruitment Process & Equal Opportunities

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans, and individuals with unspent convictions who meet the minimum job criteria are guaranteed an interview.

• Ban the Box: We support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions (subject to security clearance requirements). Reasonable adjustments are fully supported from interview through employment.