BACP Spirituality provides a forum for practitioners (counsellors, psychotherapists, pastoral carers, chaplains and related professionals) who are interested in spiritual issues or whose practice is informed by a spiritual or faith worldview.

We seek to promote specific competencies in working with spirituality and religion informed by robust research to enable practitioners to respond to spiritual issues and concerns arising in their therapeutic practice. Through training events, network groups and a more effective online presence, we are creating vibrant regional communities of practice, seeking ways to utilise resources and expertise within these communities, united by Thresholds, our divisional journal.

Term of office

Executive members are appointed for up to three years. This may be extended for a further three years. 

What you'll be doing

You'll attend up to four meetings a year, which will usually be held at our offices in Lutterworth. You'll be able to attend remotely via Microsoft Teams. We also hold Zoom meetings where we share progress on our work for the Executive and give each other support with tasks.

You'll be involved in ongoing tasks, which may include planning divisional events, or attending events to network and build the profile of the division.

General responsibilities

You'll have the opportunity to:

  • implement the divisional strategy and ensure it aligns with our organisational strategy, so promoting counselling changes lives
  • engage with our members to better understand their views and what they want from the division
  • work collaboratively with BACP staff
  • promote the division’s area of expertise and bring best practice into the work of the division and BACP
  • network and represent us and our members to wider stakeholder groups, addressing spirituality in counselling and psychotherapy and related issues and concerns
  • act as an ambassador and advocate for BACP and the Spirituality division

Carrying out the role

As a divisional executive, you'll: 

  • attend divisional executive meetings and read through papers and documentation. Where possible, we set meeting dates 12 months in advance
  • adhere to BACP’s volunteer policies, procedures and code of conduct
  • adhere to and support BACP’s governance framework
  • attend BACP’s Annual General Meeting, where possible
  • maintain absolute confidentiality for any sensitive or confidential information you receive while carrying out the role
  • work within the principles of the BACP Ethical Framework
  • observe and undertake the seven Nolan principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership         

Skills and abilities

You should:

  • have good, independent judgement
  • be able to think creatively and strategically
  • understand the responsibilities of the position
  • be IT literate - able and willing to use technology on BACP business
  • have sound communication skills

The following skills are desirable, but not essential:

  • experience in a spiritual tradition or practitioner wisdom in areas relating to spirituality
  • depth of knowledge or research in the ethics and practice of spirituality in counselling
  • experience in social media - Twitter, blogs, Facebook etc
  • experience of organising events, preparing CPD workshops, chairing meetings
  • interest in promoting good practice and research in spirituality and counselling
  • awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion issues in spirituality and counselling

If you have other skills not listed that you feel we could benefit from, we would be happy to hear from you.  

Remuneration

There is no remuneration attached to this role, however we will reimburse reasonable expenses incurred in line with our volunteers expenses policy. 

To apply

For more information or to apply for this volunteering role, please send your CV and an application letter stating your relevant skills, knowledge and experience to governance@bacp.co.uk. 

BACP has made it our responsibility when attracting and meeting with new talent to be inclusive and accessible, we welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented communities. BACP is Disability Confident Committed and we'll make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to support you in your application and candidate journey throughout the recruitment process.