Job overview
The purpose of this placement is to provide spiritual, pastoral and faith-based support to service users, carers and staff across inpatient mental health services. The role will support effective links between Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, local churches and faith communities, particularly in relation to mental health and mental wellbeing.
Key Relationships
The volunteer chaplain will liaise with service users, carers, multidisciplinary teams, statutory and non-statutory mental health services, Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich Councils where required, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust colleagues, churches and wider faith communities.
Role Summary
The volunteer chaplain will act as a pastoral and religious resource for community and inpatient mental health teams. They will provide support on referred cases, offer guidance on religious and pastoral matters, and signpost practitioners to appropriate churches and faith communities where further advice or support is required.
Main duties of the job
- Meet regularly with representatives from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.
- Maintain effective links with Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich voluntary sector partners in relation to mental health and community support.
- Contribute to staff education programmes, particularly in relation to religious belief, practice and pastoral support.
- Provide support to individuals under the care of inpatient mental health wards on a referred basis.
- Maintain patient confidentiality at all times in line with Trust policies and procedures.
- Seek appropriate external supervision from the Church or relevant faith body.
Specific Placement Activities
- Visit inpatient wards in Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich, including Oaktree Lodge, in line with the agreed schedule below.
- Attend relevant meetings with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust representatives.
- Support effective communication between inpatient services and local faith communities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The purpose of this placement is to provide spiritual, pastoral and faith-based support to service users, carers and staff across inpatient mental health services. The role will support effective links between Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, local churches and faith communities, particularly in relation to mental health and mental wellbeing.
Key Relationships
The volunteer chaplain will liaise with service users, carers, multidisciplinary teams, statutory and non-statutory mental health services, Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich Councils where required, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust colleagues, churches and wider faith communities.
Role Summary
The volunteer chaplain will act as a pastoral and religious resource for community and inpatient mental health teams. They will provide support on referred cases, offer guidance on religious and pastoral matters, and signpost practitioners to appropriate churches and faith communities where further advice or support is required.
- Meet regularly with representatives from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.
- Maintain effective links with Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich voluntary sector partners in relation to mental health and community support.
- Contribute to staff education programmes, particularly in relation to religious belief, practice and pastoral support.
- Provide support to individuals under the care of inpatient mental health wards on a referred basis.
- Maintain patient confidentiality at all times in line with Trust policies and procedures.
- Seek appropriate external supervision from the Church or relevant faith body.
Specific Placement Activities
- Visit inpatient wards in Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich, including Oaktree Lodge, in line with the agreed schedule below.
- Attend relevant meetings with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust representatives.
- Support effective communication between inpatient services and local faith communities.
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- The applicant must have excellent communication skills, good people skills and a calm and patient nature
Knowledge
Essential
- Previous experience of providing chaplaincy services is required
Qualifications
Essential
- The applicant should be a qualified chaplain with experience of mental health liaison work.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Volunteer Chaplain - Trustwide with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in Dartford, London, England. It is listed as a Estates and facilities role. The contract type is Voluntary. The application deadline is 12 Aug 2026.
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