Unit D1: Respond to pastoral and spiritual needs

Ensure an appropriate environment for pastoral and spiritual care

Performance Criteria

• An environment of privacy and confidentiality is created and maintained
• Adequate opportunities for confidential consultation and information about availability are provided
• Reasonable access to individuals and facilities is ensured through liaison with relevant managers and staff
• Appropriate assurances of prayerful support are offered
• Relevant literature is available
• Relevant facilities to meet physical and practical needs are available
• The identity, demeanor and dress of the job-holder are supportive of effective pastoral care
• The impact and effect of, and on, those in close proximity to the pastoral encounter are taken into account
• No information is imparted to others without the expressed wish of the individual
• Sensitivity and openness are evident in the job-holder's approach to the pastoral encounter
• Respect is shown for the individual's private space
  

Individual:
patient, staff, relatives, carer

Facilities:
seating and space, toilet and bathroom, food and drink, telephone

Literature:
sacred texts, prayers, leaflets, information re. chaplaincy and other agencies.

• Confidentiality policy and protocols
• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Data Protection legislation, policy and local procedures
• Facilities for confidential consultation
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational routine
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Patient privacy and dignity - policy
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligations
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to pastoral and spiritual care
  

Top

Co-operate with other caring groups and individuals for the benefit of the person in need

Performance Criteria:

• The assistance required from other groups and individuals is established with the person in need
• Appropriate referral systems are in place
• Effective communication, within the framework of confidentiality, is maintained with other caring groups and individuals
• Information is passed on to other professionals within and beyond the Organisation as requested and agreed
• Voluntary and professional groups and agencies are appropriately involved in the provision of care
• Relevant sources of expertise are identified and utilised as required
• Current information on other caring groups and individuals is maintained and made available when required
• Work of volunteers is encouraged, supported and recognised
• Appropriate involvement in, and support of, the work of other caring groups in and beyond the health care Organisation is sustained
• Individuals are protected from religious groups or individuals who seek to proselytize or impose their views on others or in anyway minister inappropriately.
  
  

Sources of expertise:
within and outside chaplaincy, health care community

Caring groups and individuals:
carers and representatives of voluntary statutory and professional
groups

Work of volunteers:
transport, worship, visiting, Church trips, social activities, fund raising

• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Data Protection legislation, policy and local procedures
• Library and database access
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Procedures and involvement mechanisms of other caring groups and individuals
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligationsReferral systems and procedures
• Support networks
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to other caring groups and individuals
  
  

Top

Establish and maintain a trusting and supportive relationship with individuals using the chaplaincy service

Performance Criteria:

• All exchanges are sensitive, open and accepting of the individual, their circumstances and beliefs
• Empathy with the individual is established
• The concerns and priorities of the individual are respected
• Actions of the job-holder and communication, both verbal and non-verbal is non-judgmental and is supportive of the individual, their circumstances and beliefs
• Appropriate time is given for unhurried and un-wasteful encounter
• Confidentiality is maintained
• Individuals are encouraged to share feeling and emotions within a supportive framework
• The relationship between the job-holder and the institution is made clear as required
• Opportunities to give and receive within the relationship are recognised and welcomed
• Promises are only given when their honouring can be ensured
• Continuity of care is ensured
  

Feelings and emotions:
positive and negative

Concerns and priorities:
spiritual, emotional, physical, material

Underpinning knowledge

• Clinical conditions which may encourage religious expression
• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Diversity and breadth of spiritualities and cultures
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Principles of spiritual and pastoral care within the various traditions
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligations
• Requirements and expectations of Institutions
• Self awareness and the requirements of support
• Support networks
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to individuals using the chaplaincy service
  

Top

Enable the individual's experience to be understood in terms of faith or belief

Performance Criteria:

• The pastoral encounter is conducted verbally and non-verbally as appropriate
• Language and concepts used are as far as possible within the individual's understanding
• The feelings shared and the feelings evoked are explored
• The individual is encouraged to articulate and understand her/his faith or belief system
• Appropriate assurances of prayerful support are offered
• Negative and hostile feelings are valued and respected even if uncomfortable to the job-holder
• The relationship between the experience and the individual's belief is identified
• Relevant aspects of the individual's overall life situation are recognised
• The individual has access to the most appropriate person and resources to meet needs
• The resources of the job-holder's religious tradition are employed sensitively in order to encourage creative understanding
• Confidentiality is maintained
• Continuity of care is ensured through arrangements for follow up contact with the individual, or referral to other agencies
  

Feelings or experiences:
positive, negative

Faith or belief system:
secular, religious. Christian, non-Christian

Resources of religious tradition:
theology, scripture, symbols, spirituality, religious acts

• Confidentiality policy and protocols
• Conflict/ stress management resolution techniques
• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Diversity and breadth of spiritualities and cultures
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Principles of spiritual and pastoral care within your own and other traditions
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligations
• Psychology of spiritual and pastoral encounter
• Self awareness
• Support networks
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to Faith or Belief
• Theology and philosophy applied within healthcare context
• Types and techniques of prayer and meditation

Top

Support the individual in problem solving and decision-making

Performance Criteria:

The individual is enabled to identify and utilise her/his personal abilities in decision making, taking action or coping with her/his situation

The individual is supported in identifying and developing appropriate links with other caring groups, individuals and resources

An open and supportive approach is always provided

The individual is helped to identify and clarify issues

The individual is encouraged to identify initial positive steps

Appropriate time is given for unhurried and unwasteful encounter

Agreed decisions are monitored

Continuity of care is ensured through arrangements for follow up contact with the individual, or referral to other agencies

Carers, relatives and friends of the individual are involved as appropriate and consistent with the individual's wishes

As far as possible, the most appropriate person and/or resources to meet individual needs is/ are identified, and access by the individual facilitated

Range

Problems/issues:
medical/ clinical, social/ ethical, religious

Other caring groups, individuals, resources:
carers and representatives of voluntary, statutory and
professional groups; material resources e.g. literature

• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Local policy and processes for corporate governance
• Moral frameworks and belief systems
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligations
• Psychology of spiritual and pastoral encounter
• Range of organisational and individual interests
• Self-awareness
• Support networks
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to problem solving and decision making
• User/ Client Assessment strategies
  

Top

Respect the integrity, autonomy and religious belief of the individual

Performance Criteria:

• Personal expressed preferences are honoured where practicable and reasonable and where they do not conflict with the conscience of the job-holder
• Cultural background, dignity and personal religious history are respected
• Potential professional tensions are subservient to the needs of the individual
• Pressure of a psychological or religious nature is avoided
• The individual's views are listened to, respected and where possible understood
• Insights and ideas from the job-holder's own life, faith or experience are offered only when appropriate and with great sensitivity
• Any offer of religious or sacramental ministry is made with sensitivity and as appropriate
• Where the job holder's own conscience precludes meeting specific requests, alternative solutions are discussed with the individual or referred to another member of the chaplaincy team
  

Individual:
patient, staff, relative, carer

• Chaplaincy team functioning
• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Diversity and breadth of spiritualities and cultures
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Principles and mechanisms of multi-disciplinary team working
• Principles of personal autonomy
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligations
• Professional and personal boundaries
• Self-awareness
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to the integrity, autonomy and religious belief of the individual
• Theology and Philosophy applied within healthcare contexts
  

Top

Provide advocacy

Performance Criteria:

• The level and degree of assistance required by the individual is established and recorded appropriately
• The scope and goals of the advocacy role are clearly identified with the individual
• The scope and goals of the role and actions taken on the individual's behalf are appropriately recorded
• The individual's rights and wishes in as far as they affect the advocacy are established
• Decisions and/or actions taken on behalf of the individual are consistent with her/his values, needs, preferences, interests and individual rights, and are designed to be in her/his best interests
• The individual's interests are represented clearly and accurately to others in a manner consistent with the identified agreement
• Where it is inappropriate for the job-holder to undertake an action on an individual's behalf, this is explored with the individual and where possible a working agreement reached
• Where problems arise regarding the advocacy, further steps are identified in discussion with the individual

Need for advocacy:
short-term, long-term

Nature of advocacy:
formal, informal

Individuals:
patients, staff, relatives, carers

Individuals who:
are able to make the decision her/himself regarding the need for advocacy, need some degree of support in the decision, are unable to participate in the decision making process

Advocacy with:
patients, staff, carers, professionals; those within/ beyond the health care Organisation

• Confidentiality policy and protocols
• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Local advocacy policy and procedures
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Local policy and processes for corporate governance
• Organisational politics, routines and information pathways
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Power structures
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligations
• Relevant legislation and protocols
• Self awareness
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to advocacy
  

Top

Support individuals in episodes of psychological and emotional stress

Performance Criteria:

• Personal safety of the job-holder, the individual and others is given priority
• A safe environment in which the individual can feel supported and secure is created wherever possible
• Verbal and non-verbal communication are used appropriately
• Appropriate assistance from other members of the health care team is summoned as required
• All reasonable steps are taken to protect individuals from their own and others' aggressive and abusive behaviour
• Mediation is offered and provided where appropriate
• Need for on-going provision of care is recognised and facilitated as appropriate and possible
• Confidentiality is maintained
• The health care community is aware of the chaplaincy role in episodes of distress
  

Individuals:
patients, staff, relatives, carers

Safe environment:
physical, psychological/ emotional

Distress:
physical, psychological/ emotional

• Boundaries between pastoral care and formal counseling
• Clinical conditions which make individual dealings dangerous
• Confidentiality policy and protocols
• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Good practice as applying to vulnerabilities in groups/ individuals
• Health and Safety Legislation, policy and procedures
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Lone working Policies
• Organisational protocols and procedures for dealing with emergencies
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Principles of spiritual and pastoral care within the various traditions
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligations
• Referral systems and procedures
• Risk management principles and techniques
• Self awareness
• Support networks
• Techniques for dealing with dangerous situations
• Techniques for identification of personal needs
• Theological and philosophical approaches to pastoral and spiritual care
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to psychological and emotional distress
  

Top

Home | News  |  Bulletins  |  About MFGHC  | Council  | Resources | Links  |  Forum  |  Index