Job summary
The Bereavement Support Team is responsible for ensuring that supporting bereaved families
remains at the top of Noahs Arks agenda and strategy, and seeks to build a responsive and
flexible bereavement service model which responds to family need.
Main duties of the job
In reflection of increased demand for bereavement support and a growth in our service provision,
this is a new and exciting opportunity to expand the team. We are seeking a passionate creative
individual, with experience working with children and families to provide bereavement support to
families where their child has died.
About us
Noahs Ark Childrens hospice helps babies, children and young people who have life-limiting or
life-threatening conditions, and their families, make the most of every day. We are here to enable
those we support to enjoy life as children, rather than as patients, as families, not just as carers.
Our expert staff and trained volunteers provide clinical, emotional and practical support for
families across north and central London and Herts Valley. We carefully adapt our support for
every child and offer it wherever it is required - whether in their home, their community or at our
state-of-the-art childrens hospice building, The Ark, in Barnet.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Bereavement Support Worker will act as a keyworker for a caseload of families referred for
Bereavement support and where required support families residing at The Ark for post-death care,
including memory work. The post holder will also support the programme of events, groups and
activities for bereaved families.
This is an ideal post for someone with experience and interest in bereavement work, looking to join
a forward thinking, expanding service. The ideal candidate will have experience of working with
people in a key worker or family support role. Experience of assessment, advocacy and
counselling skills would be beneficial. You will enjoy working independently but also capable of
effective team working, ideally with experience of inter-professional working across health,
education and social care. You will be managed and supervised by the Bereavement Support
Coordinator, working within Noahs Ark policies & procedures
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Bereavement Support Worker will act as a keyworker for a caseload of families referred for
Bereavement support and where required support families residing at The Ark for post-death care,
including memory work. The post holder will also support the programme of events, groups and
activities for bereaved families.
This is an ideal post for someone with experience and interest in bereavement work, looking to join
a forward thinking, expanding service. The ideal candidate will have experience of working with
people in a key worker or family support role. Experience of assessment, advocacy and
counselling skills would be beneficial. You will enjoy working independently but also capable of
effective team working, ideally with experience of inter-professional working across health,
education and social care. You will be managed and supervised by the Bereavement Support
Coordinator, working within Noahs Ark policies & procedures
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to at least A level standard.
Desirable
- Counselling qualification
Experience
Essential
- 1. Experience of acting as a key worker or support worker in a relevant field.
- 2. Experience of working with bereaved and loss.
- 3. Assessment skills
- 4. Knowledge of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures
- 5. Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment in health/ social care/ education.
- 6. IT self-sufficient.
- 7. High degree of literacy
Desirable
- 1. Experience of palliative care
- 2. Experience of supporting or facilitating groups
BEHAVIOURAL / PERSONAL
Essential
- 1. Excellent verbal
- communication and listening
- skills.
- 2. Confident having difficult
- conversations
- 3. Ability to work with issues of
- grief and loss and around
- death
- 4. Ability to work alone and within a Team
- 5. Ability to relate confidently to other professionals and network effectively
- 6. Ability to work with families in a non-judgmental and antidiscriminatory manner.
- 7. Multicultural awareness and sensitivity
- 8. Ability to advocate for families
Desirable
- 1.Knowledge of traumatic and complex grief
- 2. Languages spoken in addition to English
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to at least A level standard.
Desirable
- Counselling qualification
Experience
Essential
- 1. Experience of acting as a key worker or support worker in a relevant field.
- 2. Experience of working with bereaved and loss.
- 3. Assessment skills
- 4. Knowledge of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures
- 5. Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment in health/ social care/ education.
- 6. IT self-sufficient.
- 7. High degree of literacy
Desirable
- 1. Experience of palliative care
- 2. Experience of supporting or facilitating groups
BEHAVIOURAL / PERSONAL
Essential
- 1. Excellent verbal
- communication and listening
- skills.
- 2. Confident having difficult
- conversations
- 3. Ability to work with issues of
- grief and loss and around
- death
- 4. Ability to work alone and within a Team
- 5. Ability to relate confidently to other professionals and network effectively
- 6. Ability to work with families in a non-judgmental and antidiscriminatory manner.
- 7. Multicultural awareness and sensitivity
- 8. Ability to advocate for families
Desirable
- 1.Knowledge of traumatic and complex grief
- 2. Languages spoken in addition to English
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.
