Executive Summary
Original known as ‘Footsteps Programme’ and now known as ‘The Professional Supervision Programme’, the summary draws upon robust quantitative data and rich personal testimony. This evaluation shows the programme helped sustain wellbeing and strengthened chaplains’ self-awareness, vocational clarity and relational resilience.
Read the Evaluation Report here
From pilot to programme
Beginning as ‘Footsteps’ this pilot project was kindly funded and in collaboration with the British Army in 2022. The pilot underscored the importance of understanding the unique context of Army Chaplaincy and the need to provide high-quality pastoral supervision.
Initially supporting 10 Army Chaplains, the Footsteps Programme continues to grow year on year now accommodating over 30 Army Chaplains, and is continuing to grow.
What are we delivering?
The ‘Association for Pastoral Supervision and Education’ (APSE) defines pastoral supervision as ‘a regular, planned, intentional, and boundaried space’ for a trusted supervisor and supervisee to reflect confidentially on the supervisee’s practice. Through the Footsteps programme, we are enabling Army Chaplains to access pastoral supervision and embed it into their practice through attendance of 6-weekly sessions. Army Chaplains face unique pressures in their role with increased risk of burnout and stress, and it is our mission at St Luke’s to support all areas of ministry, hence our incredible work with the Royal Army Chaplains Department to provide resources for their Padres.
As part of our process, we select excellent pastoral supervisors who have relevant experience and knowledge, and pair them accordingly with Army Chaplains. This attendance is included within working hours and is therefore not an additional responsibility of the Chaplain, but an integral resource enabling them to flourish; our evaluation of the programme, summarising anonymous feedback provided, stated that 100% of Army Chaplains agreed that pastoral supervision contributed to long-term wellbeing and resilience in their role!