Head of Family Support

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities

Oversee the day-to-day provision of all family support services.

Work with statutory agencies to develop and enhance family support services, bereavement services and in support of transition services throughout the region.

Instil a culture of openness and transparency, robust review, continuous improvement, learning and development throughout the family support team.

Actively participate in hospice CQC (Care Quality Commission) inspection preparedness

Operational leadership:

Provide leadership and coordinate the planning, delivery and evaluation of family support services with members of the multidisciplinary team.

Encourage and develop innovative service delivery.

Ensure compliance therapeutic ethical frameworks are maintained at all times.

Ensure the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusivity, equity of service and the rights of children and young people and their families within the hospice environment.

Liaise with other heads of department within care, to ensure appropriate input into the development and running of the overall service.

Evaluate the service and respond to the changing needs of children, young people, and their families within available resources, developing high quality business cases when required.

Provide line management to direct reports and mentoring of new managers within this structure.

Contribute to and support the delivery of the hospices care strategy, taking the lead on specific strategic projects.

Responsibility for the family support budget.

Responsibility for the fair, equitable and appropriate allocation of support services, ensuring that we can respond to families in urgent need.

Actively participate and lead in the recruitment, selection, and appointment of family support staff.

Contribute to the development of our education programme ensuring care team staff are competent to meet the changing needs of children and families.

Develop reporting mechanisms that ensure accurate data collection, data led improvements and quality reporting.

Develop and embed a culture of innovation, personal development and continual service improvement within the family support team and wider organisation.

Support and encourage child and family feedback to ensure the views of children, young people and their families are sought and encompassed within the work of the Family Support Team

Governance

Hold position of operational safeguarding lead for children and adults.

Ensure that all family support services are managed within the governance framework to facilitate the best possible quality of care delivery

Lead on defined areas of governance as directed.

Attend and provide input for the required feedback at the Clinical Governance Committee meeting.

Develop, implement, and review the operational and safeguarding policies and procedures, whilst working within the established policies and procedures of the hospice.

Maintain up to date knowledge of all statutory requirements in relation to the provision of childrens services and to ensure they are always adhered to.

Effective working relationships

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with children, young people and their families who use the family support services.

Develop and maintain effective positive working relationships across the hospice, including with non-care services as a critical business partner in the provision of care, maximising opportunities for income generation

Develop effective working relationships with the Senior Care Leadership team and medical team, working in a professional and influential manner for the benefit of Bluebell Wood as a whole.

Develop and maintain effective communication links and relationships with external stakeholders, multi-disciplinary services and agencies, individuals, and organisations, where possible promoting partnership working maximising the benefits for children and families.

Develop a positive culture within the Family Support Team where our organisational values are embedded into everything we do.

Professional Responsibilities

Maintain records in confidence and in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations).

Seek out and engage in personal support and mentorship needs and clinical supervision

Continue life-long professional learning

General

All Bluebell Wood employees are required to:

Abide by the Health & Safety at Work Act

Adhere to policy and procedures around safeguarding children and young adults

Respect confidentiality applying to all hospice areas

Work within hospice policies and procedures

Comply with the hospice no smoking policy

Participate in and contribute to team meetings

Co-operate and liaise with colleagues

Behave in a professional manner at all times, reflecting and maintaining the values and ethos of Bluebell Wood

Demonstrate a commitment to their own development, to take advantage of education and training opportunities and develop their own competence

Support and encourage harmonious internal and external working relationships

Make a positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the hospice

Manager of staff are expected to:

Take part in inductions for new team members and for staff returning from long absence

Lead and guide staff, providing the support needed to maintain morale and enable them to work effectively

Supervise your staff members appropriately in their day-to-day work and actively work to recognise the work that they do

Carry out regular 1:1s and schedule team meetings as appropriate

Undertake annual appraisals with your staff members, assisting them in the preparation of Personal Development Plans

Support appropriate staff learning and development within your team

Communicate effectively with your team

Play a role in the recruitment of new staff within your area, once appropriate training has been given

Manage sickness absence fairly and effectively

Manage performance issues fairly and consistently, taking advice from the HR team where appropriate

This job description is not exhaustive. It will be subject to periodic review and may be amended following discussion between the post-holder and employer. Date of issue: June 2023

Safeguarding

All hospice staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk, which includes:

an understanding of relevant hospice policies

ensuring that any safeguarding and child protection or vulnerable adults concerns are both recognised and acted on appropriately

attendance at mandatory safeguarding children and adults training and updates at the competency level appropriate to their role and in accordance with the Bluebell Wood safeguarding training guidance.

Confidentiality

On appointment you may be given access to confidential information which must only be disclosed to parties entitled to receive it. Information obtained during the course of employment should not be used for any purpose other than that intended. Unauthorised disclosure of information is a disciplinary offence.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

At Bluebell Wood, we value and respect difference, where families, visitors, our staff and volunteers can feel welcomed and confident to be themselves. We ensure this by delivering our values:

We value diversity and recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge and insights that will benefit all.

We respect the rights of individuals, including the right to hold different views and beliefs. We will not allow these differences to be displayed in a way that is hostile or degrading to others

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified to degree level in a Health or Social Care related subject, or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Post graduate management qualification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of operational management within childrens services including budget management
• Experience of leading, developing and embedding good clinical governance practices
• Experience of operational lead for safeguarding children and adults
• Demonstrable experience of managing a multi-disciplinary team, and leading through significant change
• Experience of leading clinical audit, evidence-based research, or quality assurance programmes
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, including proven ability in conflict management
• Ability to demonstrate a high degree of clinical credibility, leadership and team building skills

Desirable

• Experience of working within a palliative care setting

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• IT Literate, including the ability to use Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to analyse data, produce performance reports and develop business cases
• Expert knowledge within own profession, which underpins theory, gained through recent professional practice at a senior level.
• In depth knowledge of professional accountability issues and scope of professional practice
• Comprehensive knowledge of governance and the ability to ensure that practice is evidence based and effective
• Strong analytical skills and creative approach to problem solving

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of delivering safeguarding supervision
• Knowledge and understanding of the assessment of child and young adult support needs in a racially and culturally diverse population

Personal qualities and values

Essential

• Enthusiastic and persuasive personality with a can do attitude
• Positive, proactive, and inclusive leadership style
• Fully committed to the aims and objectives of Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice
• Accountable for own actions, decisions, and development
• Excellent attention to detail

Other

Essential

• Legally entitled to work in this country
• Willing and able to travel extensively to meet the needs of our children, young people, and their families
• Car driver with access to a vehicle

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

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice

Address

Cramfit Road

North Anston

Sheffield

S25 4AJ

Employer's website

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