Curacy in the Diocese of Worcester.
Preface.
Welcome to these pages. They are designed to give information and guidance about how curacy works in the diocese of Worcester, so that curacies provide the necessary experiences and training for fulfilling ordained ministry in years ahead.
For any further information or clarification please get in touch
Curacy is a training post and training needs take priority over anything else.
Who?
Curacy involves: (for more details follow the links)
How it works
This programme sets out the process for stipendiary curates. As the programme contains considerable flexibility it will also be used with Self Supporting Minsters (SSMs) and can be adjusted as circumstances require.
- There will be an induction day for new deacons shortly after ordination.
- For curates being deaconed in 2025, the curate and the TI will agree a Curacy Training Agreement within one month of deaconing. For potential curates being ordained later than 2025, agreeing a Curacy Training agreement between the curate and TI will be part of the process of setting up a curacy. Download a proforma Training Agreement here.
Along with matters about patterns and hours of work, nature of tasks to be undertaken, areas of responsibility…. the agreement will include a curate’s training programme which will recognise,
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- Skills/experience/knowledge/strengths that the curate brings to be developed,
- Gaps in the curate’s Skills/experience/knowledge/strengths that need to be addressed,
- Consideration will be given to what training experiences and/or placements should be undertaken in respect of (a) and (b).
The agreement will then be agreed by the IME2 officer. The TI and curate will review and amend it (as necessary) at the end of the first and second years.
- The Diocese will set up facilitated year groups for curates to meet monthly for ongoing theological reflection and mutual support.
- The Diocese will arrange an IME2 programme consisting of,
- a core programme for all curates (click here to download the programme). The core programme will take priority over any other parish or diocesan activity. The programme will be based around the national assessment qualities (click here for priestly qualities) (click here for distinctive deacon qualities) with one module (two part-days and one full day) every term. Curates will complete a reflection on each module.
- a self-selecting programme or signposting to address 2 (a) and 2 (b) above.
- An annual residential weekend.
- Before the end of the first year, Training Incumbents will complete a proforma based on the qualities. Download the TI report qualities document here.
- Curates in consultation with their TI and IME2 officer will agree two placements to take place during the curacy. (One placement for self-supporting curates)
The aim of the placements is to give an experience which the curate has not yet had and is not likely to have in their parish context. Placements can be flexible in length and will normally be the equivalent of twelve half days.
Placements can be in other churches, para-church agencies, secular organisations…. Download the Placement Proposal document here.
Placement supervisors will write a report. Download the Placement Report document here.
Curates will write a theological reflection of not more than 2,000 words on “How Christian faith relates to the placement.”
- Curates will keep a portfolio scrap book of examples of work they have done, courses they have taken, experiences they have had… to illustrate their curacy. This will be used inform the reports (see below). The portfolio will provide examples of what curates have done in relation to the assessment criteria.
- The IME2 officer will be available for support and will meet with each curate (at least) for a mid-curacy review in the spring of the second year.
TIs
Before a curate starts, TIs will have training sessions to equip them for their role.
There will be termly meetings for TIs for mutual support and sharing good practice.
Assessment and signing off
- TIs as part of their ongoing supervision will assess and assist the curates to self-assess against the national criteria.
Curates deaconed from 2024 onwards are assessed against qualities criteria. The end of first year report will be revisited and updated to record progress. Download the TI report qualities document here.
Those deaconed before 2024 are assessed against competencies criteria which can be downloaded by clicking here.
- The TI reports, placement reports, written work, curate’s portfolio will all go to form a report to the sponsoring bishop regarding the curate’s suitability.
Robert Barlow April 2025
Links to documents and resources
Curacy Learning Agreement.
This is the document for curates and Training Incumbents to complete. It should be a reviewed periodically. A copy should be sent to the IME2 officer.
Training Programme.
This is the document describes the IME2 programme provided by the diocese.
Assessment Criteria.
This is the learning plan that Curates and Training Incumbents document work through together and is the basis for reports. It should form the basis for the ongoing training that curates receive in their parish.
Curacy formation cards.
Rev Sarah Northall, a Training Incumbent, looked at the assessment criteria and decided it was helpful to treat them like a set of cards with four “suits” – God, Church, World & Self and seven Qualities.
The 28 cards in the pack can each be a focus for learning, supervision, prayer…. And Sarah has kindly agreed the cards can be shared.
“Old” Assessment Criteria.
This is for curates deaconed in 2023
Placement information
What placements might look like.
Placement proposal
A form to fill in describing what you’re intending to do
Placement report
A form for the placement supervisor to complete about what the curate has done.
There should also be a reflection from the curate on the placement
Training incumbents report.
For Training Incumbent to complete before the end of the first year and to revisit at before signing off.
End of curacy report. (Old criteria)
For the Training Incumbent to complete before curates deaconed in 2023 are signed off. (For 2024 onwards use the Training Incumbents report above.)
Link to Diocesan Website
For information about the wider diocese