Head of Spiritual Care and Bereavement Lead LW

Overview

The Spiritual Care Department in NHS Fife embraces a broad understanding of spiritual and religious care for patients, visitors, staff and volunteers, regardless of belief or life stance. It forms an integral part of the delivery of safe, effective and person‑centred care, supporting those that work within and those who access our services, their families and carers.

The department delivers healthcare chaplaincy, bereavement support, staff support and community listening services in Fife, in line with the Scottish Government national framework on Spiritual Care (2023) and the aims of Shaping Bereavement Care (2010).

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the development and delivery of Spiritual Care and Bereavement Lead responsibilities, aligning with national frameworks.
• Hold strategic responsibility for the management, development, and delivery of Spiritual Care and Bereavement Lead functions for NHS Fife.
• Direct and develop NHS Fife Spiritual Care policies in line with the framework, ensuring clear governance systems and processes.
• Act as NHS Fife’s expert practitioner on matters of specialist spiritual and religious knowledge, liaising with local communities, ecumenical, religious, no‑faith and interfaith organisations.
• Develop and maintain constructive relationships with stakeholders, including NHS Fife, Public Services Delivery Scotland, belief groups and third‑sector agencies.
• Participate in an on‑call/out‑of‑hour rota (currently 1:5).

Qualifications

• Proven track record in a senior chaplaincy leadership role.
• Full registration with UKBHC and experience in department administration and budgetary responsibility.
• High level credibility in spiritual care practice and leadership.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strategic and analytical thinking, influencing and negotiation skills, and the ability to deliver change in a multi‑agency environment.
• Experience with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder engagement.

Benefits

• Flexible working and family‑friendly policies.
• Full support for disabled candidates, long‑term condition and neurodivergent candidates, with reasonable adjustments to recruitment policy and practices.
• Supportive workplace committed to equality, diversity and respect for all employees.

Diversity & Equality

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among its workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for the workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and be able to give their best. NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.