Job Description

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Pastoral Practitioner

Uniting Wesley Gardens, Belrose | Permanent Part-Time | 22.8 hours per week (3 days)

Make a difference where it matters most

There are roles where what you do matters. And then there are roles where how you are with people matters just as much.

As a Pastoral Practitioner at Uniting Wesley Gardens, you'll have the opportunity to walk alongside older people and their families through some of life's most significant moments – offering a listening ear, companionship, spiritual care, comfort and connection.

Nestled in beautiful bushland in Belrose, Wesley Gardens is a community where residents are supported to live meaningful lives, maintain relationships and feel a sense of belonging.

You'll take the time to understand each person's story, what matters to them and what gives their life meaning. Sometimes that might mean sitting quietly with someone, offering support through grief or change, sharing a prayer or reflection, or simply being present when someone needs to know they are not alone.

This is purposeful, deeply human work. And it can make an enormous difference.

About the role

As a Pastoral Practitioner, you'll provide person-centred pastoral and spiritual care to residents, their families and, where appropriate, staff.

Working as part of Uniting's Mission team, you'll bring compassion, respect and an inclusive approach to care, supporting people of all faiths, spiritualities, beliefs and worldviews, including those with no religious belief.

You'll build genuine relationships and contribute to a community where residents feel known, heard, respected and connected.

What you'll be doing

• Providing one-to-one pastoral, spiritual and emotional support to residents and their families.
• Supporting residents and families through grief, loss, illness, transition, ageing and end-of-life.
• Developing meaningful relationships that recognise each person's life story, culture, beliefs and personal values.
• Offering spiritual and religious care within the Christian tradition where appropriate, while respecting diverse faiths and worldviews.
• Working collaboratively with the care team and other professionals to support residents' holistic wellbeing.
• Facilitating or supporting pastoral gatherings, memorials, prayer and reflection opportunities as appropriate.
• Maintaining appropriate pastoral care records and documentation.
• Participating in supervision, reflective practice and ongoing professional development.

What you'll bring

You'll be someone who understands that pastoral care begins with presence, listening and a genuine interest in another person's experience.

You will bring:

• Experience in pastoral care, chaplaincy, spiritual care or a related discipline.
• Relevant pastoral, theological, ministry or spiritual care study, with Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or equivalent formation desirable or required as specified in the position description.
• A compassionate, empathetic and respectful approach to working with older people and their families.
• The ability to engage in meaningful conversations about faith, spirituality, loss, ageing and end-of-life.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain professional boundaries.
• An understanding of person-centred care, confidentiality and safeguarding.
• A commitment to inclusive pastoral practice and respect for different cultures, faiths, beliefs and spiritual expressions.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

You don't need to have all the answers. You do need to understand the value of your time, attention and presence in the lives of others.

Why Uniting?

At Uniting, our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Our residential aged care communities are about much more than care. They are about people continuing to live meaningful lives, maintain relationships and feel a sense of belonging.

As a Pastoral Practitioner, you’ll play a unique role in making that happen.

If you believe that sometimes the greatest gift, we can give another person is our time, our attention and our presence, we’d love to hear from you.

Join Uniting and put compassion into action.

If this sounds like meaningful work you would value, we would be very happy to have a conversation about the arrangement that could work for you and for our service.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Louise Massie via email at mmassie@uniting.org

Pastoral and spiritual care at Uniting

At Uniting, pastoral and spiritual care is about the whole person.

We welcome and support people of all faiths, spiritualities, cultures and worldviews. Our approach respects each individual’s beliefs, identity, choices and life story while creating opportunities for meaning, purpose, hope, belonging and connection.

As part of the Mission team, you will join an organisation whose purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice, and whose pastoral care is grounded in compassion, dignity, inclusion and respect.

If you are someone who understands the value of simply being present, listening without judgement, recognising what matters and supporting people through some of life’s most significant moments – we’d love to hear from you.

Safeguarding and mandatory reporting

Mandatory Reporters are employees who deliver services directly to children and young people, or who supervise employees who deliver these services. However, all employees are responsible for applying the Protecting Children and Young People Policy.

Uniting is committed to the safety, dignity and wellbeing of all people in our care. All employees are expected to understand and uphold their safeguarding responsibilities, maintain professional boundaries and respond appropriately to concerns about abuse, neglect or harm in accordance with relevant legislation and organisational requirements.

Pre-employment checks

Employment with Uniting will require background checks, including a Working with Children Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check, Police Check and references.

Additional checks may be required depending on the requirements of the role.

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