Sibling Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Undertake assessments of siblings needs working with both the sibling and their parents and carers, to identify desired outcomes, and planning and reviewing support accordingly in line with organisational policies and procedures.

2. Work to objectives, goals and plans of support as agreed with the Family Services Manager, ensuring these are reviewed in a timely manner.

3. Provide pre and post bereavement support on an individual and group basis according to assessed need.

4. Ensure good case management and keep detailed records on interventions and contacts with siblings and families.

5. Work closely with the other Sibling Workers to ensure the organisational objectives of the service are met.

6. Work closely with the Volunteer Service to identify and support the induction and training of volunteers with the necessary skills and experience.

7. Ensure that volunteers are involved in planning, briefings and evaluation and that they receive supervision as appropriate.

8. Take a lead responsibility for co-ordinating and delivering, closed and open therapeutic based groups, workshops, and on occasion, residential weekends according to the identified needs of the service.

9. Contribute to the development of the Sibling Service, assisting in the delivery of a range of training programmes to employees, volunteers and also through outreach work to other professionals and services as required.

10. Contribute to the evaluation of the service as required by the Family Service Manager.

11. Maintain a high standard of practice, ensuring competence through the acquisition of necessary skills and up-to-date knowledge in paediatric palliative care, loss and bereavement and therapeutic based support.

12. Participate in meetings as determined by the Family Service Manager.

13. Engage and consult service users in the ongoing development and evaluation of the sibling service

14. Work with the Marketing and Communications Department to promote the work of the Sibling Service.

15. Provide a positive link between the community and Acorns, representing the organisation and sibling service as required. This includes maintaining good communication between Acorns, the family and other professionals as appropriate.

16. Develop an awareness of and assist in mapping local and regional, resources and services.

17. Participate in research and development as required and to assist the Family Service Manager in the dissemination of learning throughout the organisation and regionally.

18. Actively participate in regular supervision and debriefs as required.

19. Ensure the Acorns database is correctly maintained with relevant and up-to-date information.

20. Attend Panel meetings on a regular basis or as agreed with the Family Service Manager.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of direct work with children.
• Experience of managing a caseload.
• Experience of providing 1:1 therapeutic based support to children/young people.
• Experience of co-ordinating and delivering therapeutic based group work with children/young people.
• Knowledge of Family Systems.
• Knowledge of child development.
• Up to date knowledge of Safeguarding.
• Experience of receiving and delivering supervision

Desirable

• Experience of work for a voluntary agency.
• Experience of supporting families who are living with a life-limiting or life threatening condition or have experienced bereavement.
• Work with children with special needs or disability.
• Previous experience of being in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of co-ordinating residential experiences for children and young people.
• Experience of working with and co-ordinating volunteer support within a group work setting.
• Experience of running debriefs

Qualifications

Essential

• Professionally qualified to degree level in a field such as Social Work, Community Nursing, Counselling, Play Therapy.

Desirable

• Qualifications relating to child psychology/ child therapy.
• Bereavement & Loss Counselling.

Skills and Ability

Essential

• Able to represent family members at multidisciplinary meetings and advocate on their behalf.
• Ability to maintain boundaries.
• Holistic approach.
• Excellent assessment, planning and evaluation skills.
• Flexible and used to working on own initiative.
• Liaison with other professionals.
• Ability to work creatively with children and young people.
• Excellent organising and planning skills
• Ability to work with diverse community groups.
• IT skills.

Desirable

• Counselling skills.
• Report Writing skills.

Training

Essential

• Ability and willingness to undergo further and appropriate training.
• Ability to train others.
• Ability to plan and deliver training programmes/workshops.
• Presentation skills

Desirable

• Couples/Family Therapy training.
• Bereavement specific training.
• First Aid Trained

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust

Address

Acorns Childrens Hospice

350 Bath Road

Worcester

WR5 3EZ

Employer's website

https://www.acorns.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)