Non-Religious Pastoral Care: A Practical Guide

Description

This ground-breaking book is a guide to non-religious pastoral care practice in healthcare, prisons, education, and the armed forces in the UK. It brings a new perspective to our understanding of care services traditionally offered by chaplaincy departments. The book charts the progress from a Christian to a multi-faith and on to a fully inclusive care service. Compelling evidence is presented showing strong and broad support for non-religious pastoral care provision. A practical guide, it outlines the beliefs and values on which this care is founded and its person-centred approach. The role, skills, competencies, and training requirements for non-religious pastoral carers are described. Institutions need to consider their policy responses to the rapid development of non-religious pastoral care provision. A number of policy aspects are explored, including understanding service users’ needs, recruitment, and communications. This book is essential reading for non-religious pastoral carers and those thinking of entering this field. Chaplains and institutional managers responsible for chaplaincy or spiritual care departments will find this book gives them valuable insights into the positive contribution non-religious pastoral carers can make in building stronger, more inclusive pastoral, spiritual, and religious care services. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of illustrations Foreword Acknowledgements 1. Introduction Note PART I: The social and institutional environment 2. The development of pastoral, spiritual, and religious care practice The importance of religious perspectives The influence of religion on pastoral care in institutions Prisons Healthcare Military Education Conclusions Notes References 3. Public perceptions of chaplains and non-religious pastoral carers Perceptions of the religious identity of chaplains Uptake of chaplaincy services Views on the need for non-religious pastoral support providers Notes References 4. Religious and non-religious beliefs in society On the use of religion or belief surveys Belonging, belief, and behaviour Non-religious people Notes References PART II: Non-religious care practice 5. Beliefs and values Humanistic counselling Existential counselling Notes References 6. Roles, skills, and competencies The role of the non-religious pastoral carer Roles in institutions Skills and competencies Training Notes References 7. Death, rituals, and memorials Death Rituals Notes References 8. Ethical behaviour General considerations Specific ethical issues Notes References PART III: The role of institutions 9. A changing care service Note References 10. Understanding people’s needs Notes References 11. Effective communications Some current communications Chaplains and ‘chaplaincy’ Spiritual care Pastoral care An alternative approach Notes References 12. Better recruitment Reducing inequality and building opportunity The legal situation Inclusive recruitment Notes References 13. Policy and practice development General approaches Prisons Healthcare Universities and colleges6 Military Non-religious pastoral carers and policy development Notes References Index