Children's Family Support & Bereavement Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Purpose of Job

The role of the Children's Family Support & Bereavement Practitioner (FSBP) is to support families in the lead up to and following the death of a child / young person using therapeutic, holistic and compassionate approaches.

The FSBP will work with children, parents/guardians and siblings from across the whole catchment area of Lincolnshire and Hull & East Riding, throughout the child/young persons journey and in the latter stages of their illness identified through an MDT discussion, preparing them emotionally and practically, creating memories and then supporting them to remember the child/young person after death.

The FSBP will also support the wider children's bereavement work identified through the bereavement service.

To support the future development and growth of the bereavement service.

Main responsibilities

To hold and manage a caseload of children, young people, parents/guardians, siblings and others identified in needing emotional and practical support during the child/young persons illness or following their death who access Andy's children's services, under the supervision of the Support, Welfare and Bereavement Lead.

To participate in regular MDT meetings to identify children & young people and families who require support.

To support pre-bereavement work with identified children/young people and families at a time agreed through the MDT discussion this may be as the child nears end of life or sooner depending on individual cases.

To give time to the families to build up a trusting relationship. This can be undertaken in a variety of ways through play/activities/talking. It is important to find some common ground.

To provide support to children and families in their own home, in hospital, out in the Community and at times in the hospice at a time that works for them which may include weekends, evenings, and BH on occasions.

To be a point of contact for the child/young person, family member, should they need to talk between visits.

To work with the child/young persons school to ensure they are aware of circumstances etc.

To support the development and delivery of children's pre and post bereavement group work with the support of the Support, Welfare and Bereavement Lead.

To support the work undertaken in the Butterfly Suite (this is a non-clinical temperature-controlled bedroom where the baby, child or young person can lay after death up until the funeral in some cases), enabling the family time to visit/spend time with them. During this time the FSBP can:

Support families to make decisions around the funeral.

Support parents to register the death

Give parents/guardians/families time to talk about their child and grieve and have conversations with siblings and wider family

Give support around benefits & financial advice, help broker conversations with schools etc.

Spend time with siblings, giving them to time to talk, and undertake activities to express themselves.

Support during the transition journey

Support with memory work i.e., casts, fingerprint/handprints

To assess, plan and review children's and family's needs on a regular basis effectively ensuring that the interventions are appropriate to the individual and know where to refer for additional support if needed under the supervision of the Support, Welfare and Bereavement Lead.

Deliver therapeutic interventions using a variety of approaches including face to face, telephone and online support when appropriate.

Creatively engage with children/young people and inspire them to take part in bereavement sessions through provision of varied tasks and activities.

Escalate safeguarding concerns following Hospice policy and procedures.

Working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary environment ensuring all aspects of the individuals care & bereavement needs are met, liaising with other agencies as appropriate.

Accurately record clinical notes on SystmOne adhering to current GDPR guidelines and in accordance with Hospice policy.

Have knowledge and understanding of a wide range of complex needs.

To support the team in the delivery of bereavement training sessions to both internal and external groups.

Proactively participate in the development and evaluation of service including the development and facilitating of drop-in coffee mornings in various locations.

Attend and proactively participate in bereavement team meetings and attend regular 121 supervision meetings and annual appraisals.

To undertake all mandatory training as required for role. Undertake appropriate CPD and keep updated with advancements in the field of bereavement and therapeutic intervention.

To work with volunteers and students on placement within the Hospice under the supervision of the Support, Welfare and Bereavement Lead.

Work within the team to develop positive relationships with volunteers and those on placement in the wider organisation.

Willingness to attend and participate in events in the Hospice and wider community.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Able to work therapeutically with individuals and families.
• Able to prioritise own workload in context of team caseload and competing demands.
• 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 Mental Capacity Act, and Mental Health Act.
• Knowledge and understanding of Adults and Children Safeguarding.
• IT literate: able to access and process electronic patient records as well as related MS Office documents.
• Good organisational and administration skills.
• Ability to manage the emotional impact of working with the bereaved.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Desirable

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills i.e. must be able to handle sensitive issues.
• Flexibility to meet the needs of the clients/service.
• Ability to work sensitively with a vulnerable client group.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to work effectively with other agencies involved when appropriate.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• To demonstrate a calm and logical approach to problem solving.
• To consistently demonstrate a dedicated approach to the quality of bereavement services in a constructive and efficient way.
• Understanding the impact of personal losses and bereavements on yourself.
• Personal grief/loss resolved sufficiently to perform & cope in an environment that has potential exposure to bereavement concerns.
• Openness and willingness to learn from colleagues and families, and to share knowledge and skills with the team.
• Commitment to ethical practice.
• Resilience.
• Ability to manage own caseload, waiting lists, and allocation of clients taking clients needs, staff/volunteer skills and capacity.
• Ability to work effectively with people from a range of cultural, ethnic, social groups, regardless of age, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
• Understanding of limits of own capability.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration or equivalent qualification will be considered.
• Full UK driving license and have access to own vehicle required to travel across the whole of Andy's catchment area.

Desirable

• Minimum of Level 3 Counselling qualification.
• Experience, training and or qualification in specialist relatable subject; teaching or practice education, bereavement etc.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with children in a health, social or educational setting.
• Experience of working with children with additional needs.
• Experience of delivering emotional support.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary health and social care setting.
• Knowledge and skills in bereavement support or counselling.

Desirable

• Experience of working with bereaved people in a group or family setting.
• Experience of working confidentially .
• Working with Volunteers.
• Experience of providing virtual support.

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).