Job summary
Dougie Macs Childrens Services team provides holistic care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. We deliver care and support children from birth to age 16 with symptom control, respite, emotional support, and end-of-life care. Our care is child-led, developmentally appropriate and delivered by a team of skilled paediatric professionals with compassion, creativity and expertise
Main duties of the job
At Dougie Mac, we are proud to offer a Nurse-led, family-centred service for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. We expect each Care Support Worker working within this team to share our passion for providing compassionate, personalised, and expert care that truly makes a difference to children and their families.
You will work flexibly over a 7-day period; this will include a combination of early, late, & night shifts. We are recruiting for both part- and full-time positions.
The Care Support Worker is a member of the Childrens Care Team within Dougie Mac Hospice providing physical, emotional and recreational care and support to children with life limiting conditions and often complex care needs. To provide a high standard of care for children and families, according to the care plan and following local & national policies and procedures.
About us
Dougie Mac provides compassionate care and support for adults, young adults, and children with life-limiting conditions across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. As a values-driven organisation, we strive to deliver high-quality, person-led, and inclusive care across our inpatient, community, and supportive care services. Following our merger with Approach Dementia Support and expansion into children and young adult services, Dougie Mac now supports more people than ever before across all age groups and diagnoses.
Our team is made up of dedicated, skilled professionals who are committed to delivering responsive and meaningful care in line with our hospice values. We offer a collaborative working environment with access to professional development, reflective practice, and staff wellbeing support.
Dougie Mac is proud to be a financially independent local charity, offering a competitive salary and benefits package including generous annual leave, contributory pension scheme, funded study opportunities, hospice-paid healthcare cash plan, and free on-site parking.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Care Support Worker in the Childrens Care Team, you will work with the Nurse led Team assessing, planning and delivering high-quality palliative care, under the supervision of registered nurses, either in the hospice or in the family home
You will:
1.Contribute to the assessment of childrens health and wellbeing alongside registered nursing staff
2.Monitor and evaluate childrens health and care management alongside registered nursing staff
3.To report to the shift coordinator, any concerns surrounding the care, condition, or behaviour of the child or family member
4.To implement, in conjunction with parents / carers, a plan of care to meet the identified needs of the child
5.Ensure effective day-to-day communication in respect of childrens health and care management with parents/carers
6.To undertake agreed projects either individually or as part of a team, using own initiative where necessary
7.Attend mandatory training for clinical competencies required for this role
8.Ensure that all service user documentation is kept up to date in accordance with the Hospice policy, using the electronic patient record system
9.To take personal responsibility for identifying any gaps in knowledge/skills and seeking appropriate training
10.To recognise and manage the potentially emotional effects of working with children and families with life-limiting illnesses, maintaining personal resilience while accessing the support, guidance, and resources available at the hospice
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Care Support Worker in the Childrens Care Team, you will work with the Nurse led Team assessing, planning and delivering high-quality palliative care, under the supervision of registered nurses, either in the hospice or in the family home
You will:
1.Contribute to the assessment of childrens health and wellbeing alongside registered nursing staff
2.Monitor and evaluate childrens health and care management alongside registered nursing staff
3.To report to the shift coordinator, any concerns surrounding the care, condition, or behaviour of the child or family member
4.To implement, in conjunction with parents / carers, a plan of care to meet the identified needs of the child
5.Ensure effective day-to-day communication in respect of childrens health and care management with parents/carers
6.To undertake agreed projects either individually or as part of a team, using own initiative where necessary
7.Attend mandatory training for clinical competencies required for this role
8.Ensure that all service user documentation is kept up to date in accordance with the Hospice policy, using the electronic patient record system
9.To take personal responsibility for identifying any gaps in knowledge/skills and seeking appropriate training
10.To recognise and manage the potentially emotional effects of working with children and families with life-limiting illnesses, maintaining personal resilience while accessing the support, guidance, and resources available at the hospice
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Pass in English & Maths (A)
- Relevant NVQ/QCF/RQF level 2 or equivalent in child care (A)
- Ability to travel independently throughout the locality with access to suitable vehicle for business purposes (A)
Desirable
- Relevant NVQ/QCF/RQF level 3 or equivalent in child care (A)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children 0-18 years (A/I)
- Experience of working independently without supervision (A/I)
- Experience of working with families (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience of using electronic care records (A)
- Experience in hospice care/education/nursery setting (A)
- Experience of working with children with complex needs (A)
- Ability and confidence to work in the hospice or in family homes (with nursing support) (I)
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Able to engage with children of all ages (T)
- Demonstrate effective communication skills, written & verbal (A/I)
- Ability to work independently & as part of a team (A/I)
- Safeguarding awareness (I)
- Ability to deal with sensitive situations (I)
- Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with children and families (A/I)
- IT skills (A)
- Compassionate and respectful approach (I)
- Able to communicate clearly and sensitively, adapting to the children & familys needs (A/I)
- Demonstrate a caring & friendly nature (I/T)
- Demonstrate commitment towards mandatory training & learning new skills (I)
- Flexible working to meet shift requirements
- Present a professional appearance appropriate to the role
Desirable
- Some experience of basic clinical skills (A/I)
- Ability to relate to children with complex conditions (A/I)
- Knowledge of child development (A/I)
- Resilience and ability to remain calm under pressure (I)
- Evidence of personal and professional development (A/I)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Pass in English & Maths (A)
- Relevant NVQ/QCF/RQF level 2 or equivalent in child care (A)
- Ability to travel independently throughout the locality with access to suitable vehicle for business purposes (A)
Desirable
- Relevant NVQ/QCF/RQF level 3 or equivalent in child care (A)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children 0-18 years (A/I)
- Experience of working independently without supervision (A/I)
- Experience of working with families (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience of using electronic care records (A)
- Experience in hospice care/education/nursery setting (A)
- Experience of working with children with complex needs (A)
- Ability and confidence to work in the hospice or in family homes (with nursing support) (I)
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Able to engage with children of all ages (T)
- Demonstrate effective communication skills, written & verbal (A/I)
- Ability to work independently & as part of a team (A/I)
- Safeguarding awareness (I)
- Ability to deal with sensitive situations (I)
- Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with children and families (A/I)
- IT skills (A)
- Compassionate and respectful approach (I)
- Able to communicate clearly and sensitively, adapting to the children & familys needs (A/I)
- Demonstrate a caring & friendly nature (I/T)
- Demonstrate commitment towards mandatory training & learning new skills (I)
- Flexible working to meet shift requirements
- Present a professional appearance appropriate to the role
Desirable
- Some experience of basic clinical skills (A/I)
- Ability to relate to children with complex conditions (A/I)
- Knowledge of child development (A/I)
- Resilience and ability to remain calm under pressure (I)
- Evidence of personal and professional development (A/I)
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.
