PC049-812 Chaplaincy Skills 1

Credit Points

12 Credit Points (CPS)

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and the research underlying, chaplaincy skills and methods, including the methods and standards of professional, safe and ethical practice

B. Be able to

1. Critique the aims and methods of pastoral care by chaplains

2. Demonstrate pastoral care skills as a chaplain

3. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on chaplaincy skills and methods

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying Advanced perspectives and skills from ‘Chaplaincy Skills I’ to chaplaincy ministry practice and as a reflective practitioner

Content

Section A: Chaplaincy and Chaplaincy Competencies (25%)

  1. The role of the chaplain
  • Basic biblical and theological perspectives
  • Chaplaincy settings: schools, hospitals, aged care facilities, prisons
  • Situations and needs chaplains typically face
  • Current trends and issues in chaplaincy ministry
  1. Aspects of well-being and mental health
  • Human needs, life stages and the generations
  • Personal and special needs (such as autism, disability, illness, abuse, neglect)
  • Mental illness (such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, self-harm, suicide)
  • Environmental (such as alcohol, drugs, bullying, harassment, stress, conflict)

Section B: Working with the Mental Health Sector (25%)

  1. The mental health sector
  • Scope and character
  • Stakeholders
  • Levels and types of care: clinical and non-clinical services, support groups
  • Major psychiatric illnesses and the stigma surrounding them
  • National standards for mental health issues
  • Changes in mental health care
  • The legal system, including the police, courts and community treatment orders
  1. Professional conduct of the chaplain
  • Principles of professional conduct: confidentiality, duty of care, access and equity, ethics and values, sustainability, working with people from culturally/linguistically different backgrounds
  • Organizational requirements: ethical standards, casework management protocols, procedures, record keeping
  • Legal framework: policy, legislation, regulations
  • Working with others and in teams

Section C: Pastoral Care for Chaplaincy (25%)

  1. Foundational skills of the chaplain
  • Communication skills
  • Pastoral care skills
  • Preventative care: education, support groups, conflict management
  • Reactive care
  1. Referral
  • Services and sources of assistance
  • Emergency and crisis situations
  • Cultural obligations and special needs in referrals
  • Review of outcomes

Section D: Chaplaincy in Practice (25%)

At least 20 hours under the supervision of a chaplain in at least one field situation: eg. school, college, university, hospital, nursing home, community centre, courts, prison