Specialist Development Structure
The Chaplaincy SA Specialist Units are internal voluntary service and development pathways. They do not constitute statutory professional registration, government appointment or authority to perform duties reserved for regulated professionals or emergency services. Members operate within their training, organisational policies and applicable South African law, and cooperate with authorised services where required.
Official New Specialist Development Structure – 12 Divisions & 70 Specialist Units
Chaplaincy SA hereby announces the implementation of its New Specialist Development Structure, consisting of 12 Specialist Development Divisions and 70 Specialist Units. The purpose of this structure is to provide members with clear pathways for specialized training, development and service. Every chaplain begins with the same Chaplaincy SA foundation and may thereafter select a specialist field according to their interest, experience, ability, training and community needs. Members are not required to participate in all 70 Specialist Units. A member may select a primary specialist field and may later develop in additional areas after completing the applicable training and requirements. Each Specialist Development Division will operate under an appointed Specialist Division Commander (Cmdr.), responsible for the coordination, development and standards of the specialist field.
NEW SPECIALIST DEVELOPMENT DIVISIONS & UNITS
Chaplaincy SA hereby confirms the New Specialist Development Structure, consisting of 12 Specialist Development Divisions and 70 Specialist Units. The Specialist Units are not compulsory. They provide optional opportunities for chaplains who wish to receive additional training, practical development and experience in a field that interests them. A chaplain may choose one Specialist Unit, remain within normal Branch activities without specializing, or develop in additional specialist fields later.
DIVISION 1 – EMERGENCY & FIRST RESPONDER DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
1. EMS Chaplaincy Unit
2. Fire & Rescue Emotional Support Unit
3. Search & Rescue Chaplaincy Unit
4. Road & Motor Accident Chaplaincy Unit
5. Disaster, Trauma & Crisis Response Unit
DIVISION 2 – VICTIM SUPPORT & PROTECTION DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
6. Domestic Violence Crisis Unit
7. Sexual Assault / Rape Victim Support Unit
8. Women & Child Protection Unit
9. Crime Victim Support Unit
10. Police Station Victim Support Unit
11. Protection Order & Victim Support Unit
12. Farm Attack Victim Support Unit
13. Kidnapping Victim & Family Support Unit
14. Human Trafficking Victim Reintegration Unit
15. Missing People Support Unit
DIVISION 3 – CHILDREN & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
16. Child & Teen Trauma Support Unit
17. Child Abuse Awareness Unit
18. School Anti-Bullying Chaplaincy Unit
19. School Chaplaincy Unit
20. Teen Pregnancy Support Unit
21. Youth Chaplaincy Unit
22. Youth Suicide Prevention Unit
23. Cyberbullying Support Unit
24. Junior Rangers Unit
25. Street Children Support Unit
26. Orphan & Vulnerable Children Support Unit
27. Missing Children Support Unit
DIVISION 4 – TRAUMA, SUICIDE & BEREAVEMENT DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
28. Suicide & Bereavement Support Unit
29. Funeral & Memorial Support Unit
30. Trauma Debriefing Support Unit
31. Line-of-Duty Death Family Support Unit
32. Child Bereavement Support Unit
33. Pregnancy Loss & Infant Bereavement Support Unit
DIVISION 5 – HEALTHCARE & HOSPICE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
34. Hospital Chaplaincy Unit
35. Hospice Chaplaincy Unit
36. Frail Care & Elderly Support Unit
37. Cancer Patient & Family Support Unit
38. Terminal Illness Family Support Unit
DIVISION 6 – CORRECTIONAL, DRUG RECOVERY & REINTEGRATION DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
39. Correctional / Prison Chaplaincy Unit
40. Drug & Substance Abuse Support Unit
41. Substance Abuse Family Support Unit
42. Rehabilitation Support Unit
43. Parole Reintegration Support Unit
DIVISION 7 – COMMUNITY, HUMANITARIAN & PUBLIC LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
44. Community Chaplaincy Unit
45. Chaplain on the Move Unit
46. Poverty Relief & Community Outreach Unit
47. Humanitarian Support Unit
48. Homeless & Vulnerable Persons Support Unit
49. Political & Public Leadership Chaplaincy Unit
DIVISION 8 – FAMILY, DISABILITY & VULNERABLE PERSONS DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
50. Disability Support Unit
51. Amputee Support Unit
52. Elderly Support & Care Chaplaincy Unit
53. Women & Child Shelter Chaplaincy Unit
54. Elder Abuse Support Unit
55. Caregiver Support Unit
56. Family Crisis & Support Unit
DIVISION 9 – MILITARY, POLICE & UNIFORMED SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
57. Military / Defense Chaplaincy Unit
58. Police / Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Unit
59. Military Veteran Family Support Unit
60. Security Services Support Unit
61. Veterans Chaplaincy SA Unit
62. Neighborhood Watch Support Unit
DIVISION 10 – WORKPLACE, SPORTS & BIKERS DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
63. Sports Chaplaincy Unit
64. Workplace Trauma Support Unit
65. Workplace Chaplaincy Unit
66. Bikers Chaplaincy Support Unit
DIVISION 11 – ANIMAL & PET CHAPLAINCY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
67. Animal / Pet Chaplaincy Unit
This Unit incorporates specialist service areas such as animal rescue support, pet-loss and bereavement support, animal-welfare personnel support, working-animal and handler support, veterinary emotional support, missing-pet support, end-of-life and euthanasia support, and compassion-fatigue support. These are service areas within Unit 67 and do not constitute additional Specialist Units.
DIVISION 12 – TRAINING, MEDIA & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
68. Chaplaincy Helpline & Call Center Unit
69. Radio Broadcasting & Presenter Development Unit
70. Training & Development Unit