Senior Bereavement Counsellor

Job responsibilities

Role Purpose

The post holder will play a key role in supporting the forward planning and development of the Bereavement Service. Promoting the highest quality bereavement care and support for children, young people and adults referred to the bereavement service.

To be responsible for a team of counsellors, caseworkers, volunteers, and student counsellors providing specialist and therapeutic counselling to children, young people and adults, who have been bereaved through a death by any means, using individual, group and family techniques as appropriate.

To provide support in a variety of locations including the hospice, community and schools. This may also be provided virtually or by telephone depending on client need.

Ensure there is a range of information and support available to meet the spectrum of need.

To network with external stakeholders to promote the service

Main Responsibilities

To effectively line-manage a team of bereavement counsellors, caseworkers, volunteers, and student counsellors, including conducting and completing team members 1:1 and CDRs in an effective and timely manner, sickness/absence management, development of competencies, performance management and providing supervision as required.

Working alongside the Head of Support & Wellbeing Services, be involved in the appropriate recruitment of staff to the Bereavement team and to support the effective induction of new staff to the bereavement service in line with Hospice policy.

To be responsible for the recruitment and supervision of volunteers within the Bereavement Services ensuring correct paperwork is completed, interviews and inductions are undertaken, that they are assigned a mentor and have received the appropriate training for their role.

Create a supportive and nurturing environment to develop staff, recognising potential and identifying future aspiring leaders within the Bereavement Team.

To positively and proactively manage change within the Bereavement Service, communicating with and encouraging staff throughout the process.

To promote high staff morale by inspiring a shared vision and common goal.

To facilitate wellbeing of bereavement team, especially when dealing with distressing cases or when at risk of vicarious trauma and provide support as needed.

Operational responsibility

To manage the staff rota and check and authorise the Shift base process for your team as directed by the Head of Support & Wellbeing Services.

Provide leadership and direction to the bereavement services team daily.

To initiate and take responsibility for the reporting of Incidents, and Complaints, ensuring the appropriate action is taken, the situation is diffused, and the process is communicated effectively in conjunction with the Head of Support & Wellbeing Services.

Working within the Hospice safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all clients is fundamental to the Hospice.

To work in accordance with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) to ensure that client Capacity is determined, and actions taken appropriately.

To have responsibility to oversee triage and management of bereavement referrals, including managing telephone advice, ensuring appropriate information and support is offered, following service guidelines.

To work within guidelines regarding confidentiality and ethics (i.e., BACP) at all times.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of managing people
• Experience of coordinating a service
• Experience of delivering emotional support.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary health and social care setting
• Knowledge and skills in bereavement support or counselling
• Experience of working with bereaved people in a group or family setting
• Use of counselling skills in family bereavement/sensitive, confidential settings
• Experience of working with clients with complex needs and/or traumatic bereavements.
• Experience of working in an MDT approach

Desirable

• Experience of developing bereavement services.
• Experience of service evaluation.
• Experience of working in a mental health setting or supporting clients with mental health issues.
• Experience, training in specialist relatable subject; child development, mental health or substance misuse.
• Experience of supervised practise

Knowledge, Skills & Qualities

Essential

• Able to work therapeutically with individuals and families.
• Understanding of bereavement theories and processes
• Understanding of the impact of bereavement on adults and children
• Understanding the impact of traumatic bereavements
• Understanding of Mental Health diagnoses and approaches to management (e.g. anxiety management)
• Understanding of how mental and physical health interact and impact on bereavement
• Understanding a holistic approach to care
• Commitment to ensure confidentiality
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Understanding of both adults and childrens safeguarding procedures
• Understanding of Mental Capacity Act, and Mental Health Act
• IT literate: able to access and process electronic patient records as well as related MS Office documents
• Good organisational and administration skills

Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum level 5 counselling or degree.
• To be accredited/registered member of a counselling body i.e., BACP
• Full UK driving license and have access to own vehicle.

Desirable

• Qualified to Masters level in counselling or psychotherapy
• Hold a relevant professional qualification i.e., Nursing, Social Work, Occupational therapy.
• Qualification in specialist relatable subject; child development, mental health or substance misuse.

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).