Chaplaincy

The Diocesan Association of Chaplains in Education – in consultation with the Bishop – has drawn up a Diocesan Policy for the guidance of all those who are concerned, in any way, with the ministry of chaplain in the secondary schools of the diocese:

chaplains and members of chaplaincy teams; and those seeking an appointment as a chaplain in a school within the diocese;

governors of schools, headteachers and others who are responsible for the appointment and subsequent management of chaplains;

those individuals and agencies in the diocese who are in a position to offer support of any kind to chaplains;

those in positions of leadership, particularly the clergy, in the local church communities that are served by the school.

A diocesan policy for school chaplains is necessary because, while those involved in school chaplaincy are responsible primarily to the school communities they serve, they have responsibilities, from the very nature of their work, to the local church and to the diocesan community. They are among those in the school able to ‘represent’ the school to the local church, especially in helping to sustain the tripartite relationship of school, parish and family that should work together to create an environment in which young people can develop a spirituality that will enable them to be more ‘rounded’ as human beings.

The chaplain must also ‘represent’ the interests of the diocesan community within the school, particularly in the celebration of liturgy by the school community.

While each school community and its chaplain will work to formulate the details of the role and responsibilities of the chaplain, the diocesan policy offers guidance on a basic job description for a chaplain and on terms and conditions of employment. It indicates ways in which the diocese is able to assist those responsible for the induction of a new chaplain and suggests ways in which the chaplain can be supported thereafter.

The Policy draws to the attention of those who are in positions of leadership in local Church communities the importance they should attach to the work of the chaplain in their local secondary school and ways in which they should support the chaplain.

Definition of a School Chaplain

The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton recognises that the Governors of a school may appoint to the position of ‘chaplain’ any appropriately qualified and experienced individual – whether their status be ordained, consecrated religious or lay.

In appointing a chaplain the Governors are, essentially, looking for someone who is able to:

be a friendly, welcoming, Christ-like presence, able to build up a sense of communion and reconciliation within the school and within the local Church;

encourage the creation of an environment for the faith development of all staff and students;

encourage the prayer and sacramental life of the school community;

work with others, both within and from outside the school community, to provide regular opportunities for communal worship – both eucharistic and non-eucharistic – endeavouring to ensure that all liturgy is well prepared, resourced and celebrated with due dignity;

provide training for leadership and ministry in the liturgical and spiritual life of the school;

be an example to staff seeking to live their Christian vocation within the school and wider communities;

exercise the ministry of chaplain by striving always to work with others and be seen to be part of a team;

‘be available and be there’ for individuals or groups in the school community in need of pastoral care or support;

be active in building bridges between the school, the parish, the families, the wider local communities and other faith groups.

Employment of a School Chaplain

The Diocese considers that the role of the chaplain includes, in part, safeguarding the interests of the Diocesan Trust and so, as with the appointment of headteachers, deputy headteachers and heads of RE, will want to be involved in the process of the appointment of a school chaplain. The Governors will know best the needs of the school, and the qualifications and experience of candidates best suited to fill the post of chaplain. However, the nature of the appointment is such that the Bishop should be appropriately represented in the selection process.

The salary scale of the chaplain should properly reflect their professional qualifications, which may include training or experience in the areas of spirituality, theology, liturgy, counselling, education, pastoral ministry, etc. It should be subject to regular review, as are the salaries of all professionals in education.

In the appointment of chaplains to Catholic independent schools in the diocese, which are in the trusteeship of a religious order, the diocese would expect appropriate advisory involvement (e.g. by representation at interview), having due regard for both the aims of the foundation and the pastoral oversight role of the Bishop.

The Diocese would normally expect that the Contract of Employment will be drawn up between the Governing Body and the duly appointed chaplain. A sample contract is available from the CES. It is used by a number of Diocesan schools. It is recommended that chaplains should seek membership of a suitable professional body or trade union.

Induction of Chaplains

It is important that newly appointed chaplains undergo a well thought-out process of induction. This will be primarily the responsibility of the headteacher or delegated member of the senior management team in the school, one of whom should be the designated line-manager for the chaplain.

The induction process must include making the chaplain aware of the support that is available from the Diocese and its appropriate Agencies, particularly the diocesan Association of Secondary School Chaplains (and its umbrella organisation, the national Association of Catholic Chaplains in Education – A.C.C.E.). The chaplain should be given any relevant diocesan publications and documents – for example, the diocesan ‘Directory for Worship in Schools’ and the diocesan ‘Policy on Child Protection’ – that will be of assistance in the work of the chaplain. During the time of induction it is recommended that the school arrange an introductory meeting with the diocesan Co-ordinator for Chaplains in Education, and other representatives of appropriate diocesan agencies, and the newly appointed chaplain.

Suport for Chaplains

It is now recognised that for an increasing number of young people, and their families, the school is the Christian community they know best (possibly the only one). At the same time, the diocesan community is adjusting to fewer priests available to fill pastoral positions in the diocese. It therefore becomes increasingly important that the school chaplain works to support the local Church and receives its support, particularly where the chaplain is not a priest). There are a number of ways in which this can be facilitated.

Priests appointed to communities where a school is located may be chosen for their experience with, or understanding of, young people or may receive specific training and help to enable them to work with young people.

There should be more opportunities for members of the schools communities – such as the chaplain and senior members of staff – to meet regularly with the leaders of the local Church.

Chaplains should encourage priests in the communities that the school serves to visit the school regularly, and for a variety of purposes, so that the priests are not seen solely as people who come in to preside at school liturgies. Priests should be encouraged to see such visits as an important part of their ministry to the local Church.

The local deanery should recognise the importance of the chaplain in its local secondary school by seeking to involve the chaplain in the business of the deanery, including the invitation to attend meetings of the deanery. The practice in some deaneries of the secondary school hosting one meeting per annum of the deanery priests is to be encouraged.

Priests with appointments in places where Independent Schools are situated should be encouraged to support chaplains in these schools, regarding the members of these communities as ‘parishioners’ while they are ‘in school’.

Since the school chaplain has responsibilities to the Diocese, representing it in a special way to the school community, the Diocese in return offers support to chaplains. This is expressed, primarily, in the encouragement the Diocese gives to the Association of Secondary School Chaplains. This is a ‘support group’ meeting at least once a term for an exchange of views, to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern, to formulate policies that effect the work of chaplains and, generally, to offer mutual help and support to chaplains. The Diocese provides secretarial and financial support to the Association, as well as the hospitality of the Christian Education Centre.

The Co-ordinator for Chaplains in Education is an appointee of the Bishop to represent the Bishop to school chaplains. The Co-ordinator meets every January with the appointed Co-ordinators of all the Dioceses of England and Wales under the auspices of the Association of Chaplains in Education (ACCE) to discuss issues of common interest, to exchange ideas, and to learn from the experiences of others. The Co-ordinator is, therefore, a link between the diocesan group and ACCE and promotes it in the Diocese. It is recommended that chaplains become members of ACCE, which organises a national conference and AGM every summer, provides courses for new chaplains, and other training opportunities, has a list of resources for chaplains and is, in general, supportive of those working as school chaplains. The role of Co-ordinator will continue to evolve as the principles of the present Policy for School Chaplains are implemented.

Child Protection

In matters of child protection the chaplain is bound, primarily, by the Child Protection Policy that is in place in the particular school. The chaplain should, however, also be familiar with the Diocesan Policy.