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St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST TITLE:
Salary: Scale
Assistant Lay Chaplain
Points 18 - 21
Responsible to:
Lay Chaplain; Deputy Head Catholic Life of the College.
Role Summary
The Assistant Lay Chaplain is expected to support the Lay Chaplain in leading the College community in
the key areas of evangelism and catechesis as well as contributing to the pastoral care and spiritual
development of students and staff. The Assistant Lay Chaplain will also feature prominently in the
formulation and celebration of liturgies.
To play a significant role in determining the College improvement plan targets regarding spiritual life at the
College and monitoring its effectiveness along with the Leadership Team.
Personal Qualities
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A commitment to the general Catholic ethos of the College.
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Initiative and a clear sense of responsibility
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A clear understanding of outstanding practice.
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A commitment to the idea of continual improvement
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A clear understanding of the impact technology can have on learning.
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Able to promote a sense of fun, enjoyment and achievement
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Able to disseminate information with clarity and provide support for learning where
appropriate.
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An ability to foster a strong sense of belonging with students and a sense of collegiality with
staff
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Committed to helping all our students achieve their best
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Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health,
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safety and security and confidentiality, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Key Tasks and Activities
SUPERVISORY/MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible for supporting the management and development of a specialist area within the College – as
above.
Leads the chaplaincy team in the Lay Chaplain’s absence and supports the general work of the chaplaincy
team.
No managerial responsibilities.
RANGE OF DECISION MAKING:
To make decisions within established working practice and procedures, but is often called upon to act on
own initiative and should seek guidance from appropriate sources. The post holder will be expected to use
good common sense and initiative in all matters relating to their role.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSETS, MATERIALS ETC:
To maintain the confidential nature of information relating to the College, its students, parents and carers.
To be responsible for the care of all equipment and materials, within the classroom/ designated area of the
College in conjunction with other members of staff.
The provision, use and storage of equipment and materials prepared by the post holder and used by the
students/staff with whom the post holder is working
CONTACTS:
Internal at all levels, Parents / Carers, Governors, Community Groups, Health, Social Services, Police,
Bradford Council, Contractors, External Agencies, priests and parishes, CES, Catholic Care and
Vicariates.
RANGE OF DUTIES:
AREAS OF ACTIVITY
 Work with the Lay Chaplain, Priest Chaplain, chaplaincy team, Leadership team and Religious
Education team creatively and collaboratively.
 Lead the chaplaincy team in the Lay Chaplain’s absence
 Make arrangement s for the celebration of Mass and the Sacraments in the college, with the Lay
Chaplain, Priest Chaplain, other priests and the Sacristan.
 With the Lay Chaplain/Priest Chaplain arrange the training, commissioning and re-commissioning
of Eucharistic Ministers for the College.
 Prepare and lead appropriate liturgies and other spiritual experiences including retreats for both
staff and students.
 Prepare and develop the physical environments of prayer and worship.
 Participate when appropriate and directed in Religious Education and Citizenship delivery, other
areas of the curriculum, and form and year group and whole staff events
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
 Use specialist skills/training/experience to support students
 Lead students and staff in prayer
 Support students in their sacramental life, working with staff and parents especially at times such
as confirmation.
 Along with the chaplaincy team, develop suitable activities to mark and celebrate the major feasts
and seasons of the church.
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Along with the chaplaincy and Leadership teams, develop a retreat programme for the College
including pilgrimages.
Counsellor to students and staff. Friend and adviser to students and families.
Conduct home visits where necessary and appropriate following agreement with the Lay Chaplain
and Deputy Headteacher Catholic Life of the School.
Be a link in our Catholic community.
Challenge and support on the standards, morals and the values of Christian Life.
Advise the Headteacher and the Leadership Team
Be involved in Inset.
PARISHES, PARENTS, EXTERNAL AGENCIES AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY
To assist the Lay Chaplain to
 Advise where appropriate
 Improve and nurture links with parishes.
 Arrange visits of priests to College and look after them
 Contribute to College newsletter for parishes
 Assist with parents’ newsletters
 Investigate courses for parents and parishioners at College.
 Work with external agencies e.g. Catholic Care
 Work with the various Vicariates of the diocese.
 Be involved in Interfaith Dialogue,
GOVERNORS
Support the Lay Chaplain in the following
 Advising on the Catholic ethos of the College and its distinctive nature.
 Advising on the spiritual development of students, staff and governors.
 Advising on appropriate liturgy and celebrations.
 Advising of ways of putting our aims into practice.
SUPPORT FOR THE COLLEGE
 To work towards the raising of standards and improving level of achievement by supporting
teaching and learning in all aspects of your role.
 Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and
security and confidentiality, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
 Be aware of and support difference and ensure all students have equal access to opportunities to
learn and develop
 Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the College
 Establish constructive relationships and communicate with other agencies/professionals, in liaison
with the teacher, to support achievement and progress of students
 Attend and participate in regular meetings.
 Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required
 To support, uphold and contribute to the development of the Council’s Equal Rights policies and
practices in respect of both employment issues and the delivery of services to the community.
 Recognise own strengths and areas of expertise and use these to advise and support others
 Supports the Lay Chaplain in leading the whole College in specialist area and share expertise and
skills with others
You will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from the Headteacher to undertake work of a
similar level that is not specified in this job description.
This job description will be reviewed at the end of the academic year or earlier if necessary as
part of the Performance Management cycle. In addition it may be amended at any time in
consultation with the post holder.
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Notes
The following information is furnished to help staff and those people considering joining the College to understand and appreciate the work content
of their post and the role they are to play in the organisation. However, the following points should be noted:
1
Whilst every endeavour has been made to outline all the duties and responsibilities of the post, a document such as this does not permit
every item to be specified in detail. Broad headings, therefore, may have been used below, in which case all the usual associated
routines are naturally included in the job description.
2
Staff members should not refuse to undertake work, which is not specified on this form, but they should record any additional duties they
are required to perform and these will be taken into account when the post is reviewed.
3
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and require employees to comply with all current equality policies both in terms of equal
opportunity for employment and access to Services.
4
We are committed to making any necessary reasonable adjustments to the job role and the working environment that would enable
access to employment opportunities for disabled job applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling
condition.
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