Beginning Chaplaincy
Overview of Beginning Chaplaincy
Beginning Chaplaincy (Healthcare) is a three-day residential course designed for people who are new to healthcare chaplaincy and spiritual, pastoral and religious care.
The course is suitable for:
- Newly appointed healthcare chaplains
- Volunteer chaplains
- Honorary chaplains
- People exploring chaplaincy ministry in health and social care settings
- Staff working alongside chaplaincy and spiritual care teams
There are no academic entry requirements.
Beginning Chaplaincy (Healthcare) is designed to help participants become safe, reflective and effective practitioners. The course is grounded in the realities of chaplaincy work within the UK healthcare context and draws on the professional standards and capabilities expected of healthcare chaplains as formulated through the Council’s (former UKBHC’s) standards.
Content of the course
| Area of teaching | Content |
|---|---|
| Professional Practice | Role clarity and identity of the healthcare chaplain; professional boundaries and confidentiality; ethical issues in healthcare chaplaincy; diversity, inclusion, neurodiversity, high sensitivity and pluralistic contexts |
| Spiritual Care Practice | Listening, communication and pastoral conversation skills; spiritual assessment, pastoral care and care planning; trauma-informed spiritual care; philosophies of suffering, healing and hope; spirituality in the NHS; chaplaincy in specialist settings |
| Organisational Practice | Chaplaincy within NHS and organisational structures; staff wellbeing chaplaincy; documentation, data collection and service evaluation; introductory leadership, teamworking and management skills for chaplaincy contexts |
| Reflective Practice | Reflective practice; theological reflection; self-care, personal resilience, formation and supervision |
How Introducing Healthcare Chaplaincy is Delivered
Beginning Chaplaincy (Healthcare) is delivered as a three-day residential course at St Padarn’s Institute in Cardiff.
Accommodation is en-suite and all meals are prepared and provided on site.
The course is designed to meet the needs of busy professionals and volunteers while also creating space for reflection, conversation and community.
Forthcoming Courses
| Date | Duration |
|---|---|
| 19-21 June 2026 | Friday to Sunday |
| 26-28 October 2026 | Monday to Wednesday |
Course content is reviewed regularly in light of developments in healthcare policy, chaplaincy research and participant feedback.
- Exact topics may vary slightly from year to year depending on the particular expertise of the academics, practitioners and specialist chaplains contributing to the course.
- All topics are explored in relation to participants’ own professional or vocational context.
- Teaching combines presentations, discussion, case studies and reflective groups. Evening reflective practice sessions provide an opportunity to learn alongside peers in a confidential and supportive environment.
Assessment
This course is currently not formally assessed. Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate for their continuing professional development (CPD) record.
Diversity and Inclusion
- Although St Padarn’s has a distinctly Christian ethos, we welcome learners from all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds, including those with no faith affiliation.
- Healthcare chaplaincy involves working sensitively and respectfully with people from many different backgrounds. Participants will therefore study alongside others from a range of traditions, experiences and settings.
- We usually begin and end each day with an optional reflection, prayer or meditation.
Fees for Introduction to Healthcare Chaplaincy
This academic year's fee is:
- £490 per participant
Places will be offered on first come, first served basis following receipt of payment. the fee includes teaching, accommodation and catering.
For further information / To Apply
Beginning Chaplaincy (Healthcare)is particularly suitable for chaplains and volunteers with less than two years’ experience.
Applications close four weeks before the start of the course. To register your interest, please: The closing date for applications is 4 weeks prior to the start of the course.
For Further Professional Development
For those seeking more substantial training, St Padarn’s also offers its flagship postgraduate Chaplaincy Studies programme, including PGCert, PGDip and MA pathways validated by Durham University.
St Padarn’s has more than 23 years’ experience in chaplaincy education and is widely recognised as the UK’s lead provider of specialist chaplaincy training. Our programmes welcome chaplains from a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, the armed forces, emergency services, prisons, education and community settings.