Bishops Selection Advisers Handbook

Table of Contents

The table below indicates the contents of the Advisers' Handbook.  The headings in bold correspond to the tabs on the right hand side of the page.  Click the tabs to open the corresponding pages of the Handbook.

Introduction

Approaching the task of Selection

• Bishops’ Selection Advisers
• Training for Bishops’ Selection Advisers
• Confidentiality
• Open, fair, welcoming and sensitive
• A sense of proportion
• Realism
• Open-mindedness
• A positive attitude

Selection Criteria and Sponsorship Categories

•  Assessment against criteria
• Universality of criteria
• Summary of the Criteria for Selection & Core Elements
• Categories for sponsorship
• Envisaged Focus of Ministry
• Sexuality
• Issues in Human Sexuality
• The remarriage of divorcees
• Transgendered candidates
• Pastoral sensitivity

The Roles of the Bishops' Selection Advisers and the Secretary

• Bishops’ Selection Adviser roles
• The Chairing of the Panel
• Responsibilities of the Panel Chair
• Setting the Tone
• The Vocational Adviser
• The Pastoral Adviser
• The Educational Adviser
• The Panel Secretary

Preparing for the Panel

• Invitation
• Short notice invitation
• Paperwork before the Panel
• Preparation before the Panel
• Assessment sheets
• The candidate’s Registration Form
• The candidate’s Written Reflection
• The Diocesan Sponsoring Papers
• References
• Sensitive issues
• Confidential paperwork
• Using the paperwork
• Don’t over prepare
• Preparing exercises and other tasks
• Keeping the end in view

The Bishops' Selection Advisory Panel Process

• Structure
• The Panel programme
• Arrival
• First Advisers’ meeting
• Introductory session
• Advisers’ welcome
• Introductory exercise
• Secretary’s notices
• Warden’s welcome
• Meal times
• Informal parts of the Panel
•  Worship
• Second Advisers’ meeting
• Third Advisers’ meeting
• Fourth Advisers’ meeting
• Fifth Advisers’ meeting
• Final notices
• The next steps
• Candidates’ departure

The Tools of Assessment

• The tools of assessment
• Aims of the Written Reflection
• Administration of the Written Reflection
• Assessment of the Written Reflection
• Presentation and Group Discussion

Presentation

• Aims of the Presentation
• To which Criteria for Selection does the Presentation refer?
• Administration of the Presentation
• Assessment of the Presentation
• The Agreed Statement about the Presentation

Group Discussion

• Aims of the Group Discussion
• To which Criteria for Selection does the Group Discussion refer?
• Administration of the Group Discussion
• The Agreed Statement about the Group Discussion

Pastoral Exercise

• Aims of the Pastoral Exercise
• Administration of the Pastoral Exercise
• Assessment of the Pastoral Exercise
• Ability Tests

Interviews

• Interviews
• Preparing an Interview from the Papers
• Preparing an Interview with the other Advisers
• Preparing an interview using the Personal Inventory
• Collecting all necessary documentation
• Preparing the Room
• Timing
• Introducing the Interview
• Putting candidates at ease
• Posture
• Eye contact
• Facial expression
• Head movements
• Gestures
• Voice production
• Appropriate encouragement
• Restate, summarise and follow through
• Giving candidates the opportunity to reply in full
• Listening
• Using the Personal Inventory as a framework
• Remember role and Criteria
• Points to consider
• Probing further
• Open questions
• Probing and specific questions
• ‘Behavioural’ questions
• Feedback questions
• Remaining fair
• First impressions
• Listen carefully
• Cultural sensitivity
• Being objective
• Negative information
• Avoid asking poor questions
• Taking notes
• Closing the interview
• After the interview
• Use the Assessment Sheets
• Evaluating the candidate’s responses
• A marking scheme

The Personal Inventory and Interview Questions

• Aims of the Personal Inventory
• Administration of the Personal Inventory
• Assessment of the Personal Inventory
• Contents of the Personal Inventory

Assessment Sheets

• The purpose of the Assessment Sheets
• Content of the Assessment Sheets
• Before the Panel
• At the first Advisers’ meeting
• At the second Advisers’ meeting
• At the third Advisers’ meeting
• At the fifth Advisers’ meeting
• The Presentation & Group Discussion
• During the interview
• After the interview
• Towards a draft report
• Agreed overall assessment

After the Candidates Leave

• The sixth Advisers’ meeting
• Assessment of Presentation, Group Discussion & Pastoral Exercise
• Report writing
• The Data Protection Act 1998
• Draft report
• Allocating a mark
• Report writing style
• Moderation sessions
• The moderation process
• The question Advisers are being asked
• The recommendation
• The final report
• Advice to the bishop
• Conditions:

• Pre-Theological Education Conditions
• What is the scale of the problem?
• Is the problem developmental?
• How many Criteria?
• Be precise
• The wording
• Other conditions
• Medical condition
• Criminal Records Condition
• Financial Condition
• Faculty Condition
• Reference to the Candidates Panel
• Report Condition

• The agreed reports
• Departure
• Letting go
• Self-Assessment and expenses

Appendices

• Bishops' Regulations for Training
• The Scottish Episcopal Church
• Ordained Local Ministry
• Pioneer Ministers

Resources

• Publications
• Communications
• National Church Institutions Switchboard
• Selection Secretaries
• Registration Officer
• Support Secretaries
• General Office
• Email
• Websites