Pastoral Ministries P 4979 1111 F 4979 1119 E Chancery@mn.catholic.org.au POSITION DESCRIPTION 1. POSITION TITLE: Pastoral Care Worker School Chaplain 2. STATUS / CLASSIFICA TION: Maximum Term Full-time / Part-time 3. SERVICE/FACILITY: Chancery Pastoral Ministries Office of Life and Faith 4. LOCATION: Public School(s) 5. RELATIONSHIPS: Families Students and families 6. REPORTS TO: Office of Life and Faith, Director Church/Parish Leadership Teams & Priests /Ministers/Pastors, Volunteers, Vice Chancellor Pastoral Ministries School Admin Staff, Co-ordinators Students & Families, Staff & 7. DIRECT REPORTS: Nil Principal OLaF Professional Officer Family Ministry Coordinators CSO Staff RE & Spirituality Team Diocesan Pastoral Ministries & Chancery Pastoral Care Partnership 8. PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: The successful candidate will be required to complete a National Criminal History Record Check and Working with Children Check; sign a Health Declaration and present evidence of right to Work in Australia. From 15 June 2013, the Commission for Children and Young people requires individuals to obtain and pay for their own Working with Children Check. Further details can be obtained from the website: http://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/working-with-children/workingwith-children-check
9. OVERALL POSITION OBJECTIVE A school chaplain is an individual who is recognised: a) by the school community and the appropriate governing authority for the school as having the skills and experience to deliver school chaplaincy to the school community; and b) through formal ordination, commissioning, recognised religious qualifications or endorsement by a recognised or accepted religious institution. A school chaplain s role is to support the emotional wellbeing of students by providing pastoral care services and strategies that support the emotional wellbeing of the broader school community regardless of faith or beliefs. Pastoral care is defined in the Commonwealth Chaplaincy Programme Agreement as: the practice of looking after the personal needs of students, not just their academic needs, through the provision of general spiritual and personal advice. The role is varied and this flexibility enables the Coordinators to see a local need and respond. Each year priorities will be set for the local circumstances in consultation with School Principals and the OLaF Director. 10. ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT School chaplains may be from any faith. School chaplains appointed under this agreement must meet the following conditions: a) accept that participation by schools and students is voluntary; b) chaplains must: i. not proselytise; ii. iii. iv. respect, accept and be sensitive to other people s views, values and beliefs; comply with State and Territory laws and policies in relation to child protection matters; and meet the minimum qualification requirements detailed below. In addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements, a chaplain must be an individual who is recognised: (a) (b) by the school community and the appropriate governing authority for the school as having the skills and experience to deliver school chaplaincy to the school community; and through formal ordination, commissioning, recognised religious qualifications or endorsement by a recognised or accepted religious institution. A title other than chaplain may be used, if the title is appropriate to the religious affiliation of the individual. In this diocese the term Pastoral Care Worker is preferred. Pastoral Care Workers (School Chaplains) work as part of the alliance of ministries from the Diocesan Office of Life and Faith. The vision within the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is for a family-centred, parish-based and schoolsupported outreach to families. 11. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED The minimum requirements are either a Certificate IV in Youth Work or Pastoral Care, or an equivalent qualification. The qualification must include competencies in mental health and making appropriate referrals.
12. COMPETENCIES, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED (Selection Criteria) Essential: Sound knowledge of and personal commitment to Christianity A creative, resilient, flexible carer Background in working with church employees and volunteers Ability to organise, prioritise and manage several tasks at one time Capacity to work effectively as a member of a school staff Excellent interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills Experience and appreciation of working with families, schools and faith communities Desirable: Reasonable computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office Suite especially Word, Excel, and Outlook General knowledge of teaching and other school based ministries. 13. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Performance Areas Key Tasks Indicators 1. Wellbeing Contribute to the general wellbeing of the school community. Assist students in focusing on their learning. Engage with individuals, groups or families in times of difficulty or need. Working closely with, and/or as part of the school wellbeing committee or team. Plan for and deliver student resilience and wellbeing services. Organising one-on-one or group sessions with students, parents, staff and other members of the school community as requested and required by the school community. 2. Family Support Actively listen to students, staff and their families. Form relationships with students, staff and their families as needed and as is appropriate. Mentoring/coaching students. Providing students, their families and staff with support and or appropriate referrals, in difficult situations such as during times of grief or when students are facing personal or emotional challenges. Developing relationships with, and referring students/parents/carers to specialist services within the school as appropriate or externally, under the direction of the school principal.
3. Community Engagement Liaise between the school and the local community. 4. Grief and Loss Companion students and families in time of change, loss and grief. 5. Administration Ensure compliance with NSW Office of the Children s Guardian Department of Education Ombudsman s Act Privacy Act Workplace, Health and Safety Attending Parents & Citizens or equivalent parent body meetings to provide details of the programme and the services that are available. Facilitating community partnership programs between the school and the wider community, under the direction of the school principal. Providing support and/or appropriate referral in times of grief and other critical events. Work with Administration staff to follow up on requests and inquiries. Set a good example by complying with all state legislation, department and diocesan policy and procedures. 14. SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES (short & long term) What? Breadth of ministry makes it difficult to focus on particular tasks. Acceptance of the role and the person in the role is often slow. Following Diocesan policies and procedures for Child Protection, Authorisation of volunteers and Code of Conduct. 15. ORGANISATION POSITION CHART Why? The intention is that priorities are set for each school community on an annual basis. Staff and families are sometimes cautious about new roles and people. The ministries in the field are never as clear cut as policies and procedures might imply. The challenge is to maintain the spirit of the work. Bishop Vice Chancellor Office of Life and Faith Director and Prof. Officer HCSRE CCRESS Pastoral Care Worker (School Chaplain) Seasons for Growth Family Ministry Families Parishes Schools Marriage & Relationships Natural Fertility Services Diocesan Offices & Councils CSO RE & S
16. EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS Performance Management Performance agreement bi-annually with appraisal and reviews Reward & Recognition Educational and development opportunities negotiated bi-annually Remuneration Agreed salary and conditions comparable to pastoral ministries guideline from CCER 17. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION Occupants must: have a current drivers licence; abide by the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and NSW and the policies of the Diocese. Any criminal or civil action taken against the occupant must be reported immediately to the Director of the Office of Life and Faith; take reasonable action to familiarise himself/herself with Diocesan policies and procedures; not take advantage of their role in the Diocese for personal gain; take responsibility for their personal safety and the well-being of other employees, clients, contractors and other visitors to the Diocese; and be familiar with, and observe, Diocesan policy and procedures on Equity and Diversity and Workplace Health and Safety in the performance of the responsibilities of the position. 1. PD Reviewed October 2017 Next Review Due October 2018 2. ACCEPTANCE I have read, understand and agree to the content of this position description. Signature... Print Name... Date.../.../...