Assistant curates are required to participate in IME Phase 2 events which have been organised for them. The phrase ‘Initial Ministerial Development (IME) Phase 2’ reflects the understanding that formation, education and training for ministry takes place not only during pre-ordination theological education but also during the title post.  The duration of the first phase of training (IME Phase 1) varies in length from two to three years.  The normal length of title posts in the Diocese in Europe is between three to four years.  

It is important that curates are kept free of parochial commitments at times when training events are held.  All costs for curates ordained in the Diocese in Europe attending these events will be paid by the Diocese. The costs for curates ordained outside the Diocese in Europe are paid by the chaplaincy in which they serve their title post. 

It is recognised that self-supporting (SSM) curates, as an exception, may not be able to attend a particular IME Phase 2 training session. If so, it is expected that the curate attends the training session the next time it is offered. Every effort will be made on behalf of the Diocese towards making the IME Phase 2 course as fully accessible as possible.   

The Diocesan Director of Ministerial Development will advise participants well in advance of training events, residential and online, to be held during each year. 

The curacy is formally completed with an End-of-Curacy Review. The Report based on the End-of-Curacy Review is drawn up by the DDMD (IME 2 Officer) and is sent to the Diocesan Bishop, the Suffragan Bishop (Chair of the Ministry Team), the Curate, the Training Incumbent and the Diocesan Appointments Secretary. The Report is placed on the curate’s permanent ministry file (blue file) and is a condition for a next appointment. 

It is highly unlikely that a person will be appointed to a post of responsibility unless he or she has completed all the components of initial ministerial education.   

A retrospective process for measuring the success of the curacy and the IME 2 Programme is being implemented, starting with curates completing IME 2 in 2023. This will be a formal process taking place approximately twelve months into the new post. The purpose is to assess the curate’s preparation and readiness for their first post of responsibility/incumbency/lead a church in mission/next post and to ensure that the curacy training in the chaplaincy and the teaching and formation of the Diocesan IME 2 Programme have equipped the curate with the best skills and competencies for ministry following the completion of the curacy. This is also an opportunity to assess if the minister if the first new post has particular additional training needs.