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Spiritual Care Lead


Job Location:

Lewes - UK

Yearly Salary: GBP 29970 - 33308
Posted: 29 September 2026 (Yesterday)
Application Deadline: 27 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Are you passionate about providing compassionate spiritual and pastoral support to people facing some of lifes most challenging moments

As ourSpiritual Care Lead youll play a vital role in supporting patients families bereaved individuals staff and volunteers across the hospice. Leading the delivery and development of our spiritual care service youll help ensure people of all faiths and beliefs as well as those with no faith receive personalised inclusive support. If you are an empathetic and experienced spiritual care professional who is committed to making a meaningful difference wed love to hear from you.

Job Details

  • Location:St Peter & St James Hospice North Common Road North Chailey BN8 4ED
  • Salary:29970 - 33308 pro rata (37463 - 41635 per annum)
  • Hours:30 hours a week (worked over 4 or 5 days)
  • Contract:Permanent part-time
  • Closing Date:We will shortlist and interview as applications are received so early applications are encouraged.

What youll be doing

  • Provide holistic spiritual and pastoral support to patients and families across hospice services either face-to-face by telephone or online.
  • Lead and coordinate spiritual care provision ensuring the needs of people from diverse faiths beliefs and cultural backgrounds are met with dignity and compassion.
  • Recruit support and supervise Spiritual Care volunteers helping to create a welcoming and reassuring environment throughout the hospice.
  • Plan and deliver remembrance reflection and commemorative services working collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers.
  • Develop new and innovative approaches to spiritual care including discussion groups reflective sessions prayer groups and online support opportunities.
  • Work as part of the multidisciplinary team providing guidance education and support on spiritual issues in palliative and end-of-life care.
  • Build strong relationships with local clergy faith leaders community organisations and pastoral care networks to enhance support for patients and families.
  • Maintain accurate records relevant policies and quality standards to support a safe effective and responsive service.

What were looking for

  • Proven experience in a pastoral chaplaincy or spiritual care role within healthcare hospice care or a similar setting.
  • A strong understanding of spirituality and the ability to support people with a wide range of faith cultural and personal beliefs including those with no faith.
  • Excellent communication counselling and bereavement support skills with the ability to build trust and rapport with patients families staff and volunteers.
  • Experience coordinating services and supporting volunteers with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
  • Strong organisational and administrative skills with the ability to balance competing priorities effectively.
  • Confidence using IT systems including electronic patient records and Microsoft Office applications.
  • A commitment to equality diversity and inclusion with sensitivity to the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals from all backgrounds.
  • A full UK driving licence and access to your own transport.

Experience within palliative care volunteer management training delivery bereavement support funeral planning or a qualification in Theology Pastoral Care or a related subject would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why join us

  • A rewarding role where you can make a meaningful difference to patients families and bereaved individuals.
  • The opportunity to lead and develop an inclusive spiritual care service within a respected hospice.
  • A supportive values-driven organisation dedicated to delivering outstanding compassionate care.
  • The chance to work alongside passionate colleagues and volunteers who are committed to improving quality of life for those facing serious illness.

If you are compassionate inclusive and committed to supporting people through some of lifes most significant experiences wed love to hear from you. Please find the full job description and person specification at the bottom of the page. If you have any questions about the role or require any additional support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process please contact Phillippa Jones Head of Supportive Careby emailing.

The Organisation

St Peter & St James Hospice is a leading provider of specialist palliative and end of life care for our Mid-Sussex community. People affected by life-limiting illness are central to everything we do and it is our mission to ensure they receive the best possible care in the right place at the right time. Our services are free of charge and can be accessed at home in a care setting or at the Hospice in North Chailey.

We achieve our goals through the organisations talented people by attracting retaining and developing a highly skilled diverse and engaged workforce. Over 150 employees and 400 volunteers work in a variety of roles across our Clinical Services Retail and Support Functions.

If youre looking to put your skills to use in an organisation that makes a difference for its local community and values Compassion Integrity Accountability Excellence and Inclusivity then click Apply Now!

The Benefits

Benefit 1

Benefit 2

Benefit 3

Benefit 4

The Values

  • Innovation

We are creative and fearless in our work.

  • Accountability

We take ownership of our work and lead from the front.

  • Teamwork

We collaborate widely and build supportive environments.

27 days holiday

Company sick pay scheme

Enhanced maternity/adoption pay

Monthly occupational health clinics

Leadership development programme

20% discount in our charity shops

Our people

  • Vrishali Pawar
  • People Services Assistant

If you have the appetite to develop your skills you are encouraged and empowered to learn and grow within the organisation.

  • Jon Anderson
  • Community Clinical Nurse Specialist

Being a part of someones end of life care and supporting their loved ones through their grieving process is a real privilege.

  • Victoria Webber &
    Wendy Agate
  • Relationship Fundraisers

Every pound raised for our hospice brings comfort and dignity to those facing lifes most challenging moments making every effort deeply meaningful.

  • Andrea Sutton
  • Data & Admin Team Officer

Helping to change peoples perception of specialist palliative and end of life care by sharing how we support patients and their loved ones is a privilege.

  • Gavin Carby & James Dickens
  • Facilities Manager & Maintenance Technician

We love that we get discounts in our shops and can benefit from the Blue Light Card like NHS workers do.

  • Maddie Lewis
  • Retail Manager

Its great to know that each day is an opportunity to make a difference for our local community.

Our people are our strength. We value diversity and inclusion so encourage applications from everyone regardless of race national origin sex gender identity and/or expression sexual orientation religion disability or age.

Please ensure you have your own means of transport as the hospice is not accessible by bus and is located on a main road without public footpath. Our precise location can be found here: you have any questions about this vacancy or require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process please contact us on .

Please note we may shortlist and interview candidates as applications are received. Offers of employment are subject to satisfactory results from pre-employment checks (right to work references Occupational Health and DBS if applicable).