Chaplains have been established in some schools for a long period of time. Most private schools have a chaplain as a member of their staff, as do some church schools.
In state schools, the chaplain is sometimes the local vicar or priest, a minister of another Christian church who has a connection with the school or a Christian schools worker. Sometimes, church leaders nominate a lay person to act as school chaplain.
Such Christian pastoral support is often likened to the biblical image of the Good Shepherd caring for his sheep. It is essential that whoever fulfils the role must have suitable pastoral gifts, and counselling skills and training are a bonus to a school.
Now, almost all secondary schools have a defined system of pastoral care, often with senior teachers in roles of pastoral leadership. In primary schools, the pastoral role is usually incorporated into the class teacher's responsibilities. The concept of supporting the individual’s personal development as well as teaching the pupil is now widely recognised.
Whatever the pastoral system operating in a school, suitable additional pastoral support or mediation by well qualified and gifted church members is usually welcomed by schools. Schools are often pleased to call on outside pastoral help in crisis situations e.g. an accident, the death of a pupil, member of staff or parent or relationship breakdown. Whoever takes on this role will need to spend time in the school getting to know pupils and staff and gaining their confidence. Once the person appointed has become accepted as ‘part of the furniture' in the school, they will usually find that all sorts of people take the opportunity to talk to them about personal and confidential matters.
Some schools welcome the possibility of the church providing pastoral support for staff when an external 'confidential listening ear' is needed.
Offers of such additional pastoral support should be made direct to the headteacher.