Family Support and Bereavement Senior Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

Client work:

Providing one to one emotional support sessions for adults who require support with a bereavement or pre-bereavement (they or a loved one have a life limiting illness) utilising a person-centred approach.

Using a blended approach to the delivery of emotional support sessions over the phone, in person or online.

Creating, developing, and facilitating group support sessions for adults and children.

Assessing new clients to understand their needs and allocate them to the most suitable support service.

Providing ongoing supervision and training to volunteers.

Arranging and receiving regular external supervision (no costs incurred).

Administration:

Assist the Family Support and Bereavement Services Team Lead in ensuring all relevant data is collated, analysed, and distributed as required.

Assist with the development of the Family Support and Bereavement Services team in ensuring the service stays sustainable, efficient, and safe and adheres to the Hospice Mission Statement, Visions and Aims as well as CQC requirements.

Writing and delivering training to staff, volunteers and other health and social care professionals.

Be responsible for supporting and coordinating of volunteers.

Administration of data.

Administration of client files.

General:

Provide cover/substitute for the Team Lead at leadership/Board committee meetings.

Confidentiality of patients, staff, volunteers, and visitors is paramount and an attitude sensitive to our service is of great importance.

Knowledge of safeguarding for adults, children and vulnerable adults legal requirements are essential.

To be willing to undertake other duties appropriate to this post.

To be willing to undertake flexible hours as and when required.

Abide by all Mary Ann Policies and Procedures including Child Protection and Safeguarding.

To attend all Mary Ann mandatory and statutory training.

Promote and publicise holistically Mary Ann's core services.

Work with other Mary Ann teams in raising awareness within the community about the services provided.

To participate in an annual appraisal and quarterly reviews, where the job description is subject to periodic review as service requirements change.

The Mary Ann Evans Hospice operates a strictly no smoking/vaping policy whilst on duty.

Standard Requirements of all Mary Ann Staff:

To be flexible and adapt to the needs of the department and your team.

To maintain strict confidentiality and always adhere to data protection policies.

To observe and maintain security procedures and to be aware of responsibilities towards Health & Safety, Hospice Policies & Procedures, and COSHH.

Mary Ann operates a strictly no-smoking policy whilst on duty and on the premises.

Exercise responsible stewardship of hospice resources.

Attendance at meetings, events and activities may require the post holder to work beyond the normal hours/days of work on occasions flexibility is essential.

To have an understanding and demonstrate regard for Mary Anns values, vision, mission, and strategic aims.

Travel in the Warwickshire area, and on occasions within the UK, to fulfil role and attend/participate in training and personal development opportunities, using own vehicle or public transport, for which expenses will be met in line with policies.

To maintain an effective and collaborative working relationship with other members of staff and volunteers.

To participate in annual and quarterly performance appraisal, where the job description will be reviewed, and objectives agreed.

Take responsibility for ensuring the timely completion and/or attendance for all statutory and mandatory training requirements relevant to role as outlined by Mary Anns Policy.

To participate in surveys and audits as required by the service in relation to your role.

Conform to conventional standards of professional uniform and business dress when representing Mary Ann.

To accept temporary redeployment within any part of Mary Ann should the need arise ensuring hospice goals and objectives are met.

This job description is intended to be the main guide to the principal duties and responsibilities of the post. It should not be seen as an exhaustive, inflexible, or prescriptive document. The employee shares with the employer the responsibility to suggest amendments as necessary to meet the changing needs of the hospice.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with adults and children in a health, social, therapeutic or education setting.
• An interest in bereavement support theory and practice.

Desirable

• Experience of working with adults/children who require support following a bereavement.
• Experience of working in a Hospice or palliative care setting.
• Experience in providing supervision.
• Experience of working with volunteers.

Skills

Essential

• Use of Microsoft Office and PC skills
• Empathetic approach
• Ability to facilitate support groups
• Use of person-centred principles in therapeutic environment
• Ability to build a safe, honest, open environment and rapport with clients
• Adapt communication style to all ages and abilities
• Utilise case supervision.
• Ability to self-reflect on client work and the emotional impact it has on you
• Excellent oral and written, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Ability to work alone as well as part of a team.
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality.
• Ability to hold professional boundaries and know your own limits.
• Knowledge of safeguarding issues and legislative framework.
• High degree of accuracy.
• Able to manage own caseload.

Desirable

• Report writing / data collection.
• Ability to deliver training to others.

Other role requirements

Essential

• Able to work flexibly or additional hours on occasions
• To be a non-smoker/vaper whilst on duty

Desirable

• Able to work occasional early evenings to provide support to the changing demands of our service.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified and experienced regulated and registered Health, Social Care or Education professional e.g. counsellor, nurse, psychologist, social worker, chaplain, occupational therapist, teacher etc.

Desirable

• Evidence of further study/CPD in area of interest during past 2 years
• Level 2 or 3 counselling qualification

Attributes

Essential

• Self-motivated and passionate.
• Positive, encouraging, sensitive and discreet.
• Calm, caring, enabling and supportive manner.
• Able to deal with matters of a sensitive or confidential nature in a professional and responsible way.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).