Saint Francis Hospice

SOCIAL WORKER

The closing date is 22 August 2025

Job summary

Are you a compassionate and skilled Social Worker with a heart for advocacy, empathy and connection? Do you believe in the power of truly being there for people during life's most profound moments? If so, we would love to meet you.

We are currently seeking a dedicated Social Worker to join our Family and Individual Support Services team at the hospice. This is a unique and deeply rewarding role ,working alongside a vibrant multidisciplinary team including counsellors, chaplains, therapists, telephone support assistants, and other professionals. Together, we walk alongside individuals and families navigating palliative illness, end of life care needs and bereavement.

Main duties of the job

What You'll Do:

Provide emotional, practical, and psychosocial support to patients, carers, and families

Advocate for carers and those facing serious illness, helping them access the support they need.

Collaborate with colleagues across the hospice to deliver holistic, person-centred care.

Be a reassuring presence, a skilled listener, and a compassionate guide through complex times.

We're Looking for Someone Who:

Is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.

Has strong communication and advocacy skills.

Understands the unique dynamics of end-of-life care.

Thrives in a team-focused, supportive environment.

What We Offer

A welcoming and collaborativeworkplace.

Opportunities for professional development and reflective practice.

The chance to be part of something truly meaningful.

Based at the hospice with access to the community.

Full-time or job share were flexible for the right person.

Any questions please contact Shahina Haque, Family & Individual Support Manager 01708 753319 who would be happy to talk it through with you.

About us

We are a dynamic, forward thinking organisation delivering a full range of specialist palliative care services for individuals & their loved ones with life limiting illness. We achieved Outstanding in our CQC inspection & have reconfigured our services to meet the changing needs of our local community. We support 5 Clinical Commissioning Groups & have a robust governance structure in place. We provide ward clinical services within a modern, personal & friendly 18-bedded unit, as well as Specialist Community Crisis Support Service, Hospice at Home Service & Specialist Day Therapy Service. We also have the hospice Pepperell Education Centre that has an excellent reputation for delivering high quality education programmes and study days.

All communication regarding your application, including invitations to interviews will be sent to your email address & not via NHS Jobs, so please provide an email address & contact telephone number as well on your application form.

Saint Francis Hospice is a charity based in the UK. We will require all successful candidates to be able to provide documentary ID proof of their Right to Work in the UK. We are not a Licensed Sponsor, so are unable to provide sponsorship to support applicants applying from outside of the UK.

Please note that we are a charity & not part of an NHS Trust & we are situated in a quiet location in the village of Havering-atte-Bower, outskirts of Romford, therefore please consider our location when applying.

Details

Date posted

07 August 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£36,971 to £43,792 a year our posts do not attract High Cost Area or Fringe allowances

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B0483-237

Job locations

St. Francis Hospice

Broxhill Road

Havering-atte-bower

Romford

RM4 1QH


Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB TITLE: SOCIAL WORKER.

GRADE: Band 6a.

HOURS OF DUTY: 37.5 per week or Job Share.

REPORTS TO: Family and Individual Support Services Manager.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:Family & Individual Support Services Manager.Family & Individual Team Members and wider MDT.

RESPONSIBLE FOR:This role does not have line management responsibility.

JOB SUMMARY:

To provide high quality palliative social work care (including bereavement support) to people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers.

To provide advice, education and support to the wider multi-professional hospice team in respect of psycho-social issues.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide palliative social work care to people under the care of Saint Francis Hospice, their families and their carers.
  • To support other members of the Family & Individual Support Services team in their roles.
  • To participate in the hospices educational programmes.
  • To contribute to local, regional and national networks and forums for palliative care social work.
  • To promote the key values of palliative care for people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers, ensuring equitable access to social work, psychological and bereavement services.
  • To be a Safeguarding Lead for the organisation.
  • To undertake specific Safeguarding training to ensure current legislation is adhered to.
  • To be a member of the Safeguarding Management team and to ensure updated legislation is shared within the group.
  • To facilitate and maintain the highest standard of psycho-social support at all times.
  • To be responsible for co-ordination and facilitation of group work opportunities for people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers.
  • To be responsible for facilitating and co-ordinating outreach sessions for carers off-site.
  • To be responsible for providing Carers Assessments on-site.
  • To ensure provision of high-level emotional support/counselling is available for people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers.
  • To work collaboratively with the psychotherapist/psychologist in order to provide seamless psychological and psycho-social support to people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers.
  • To have an understanding of the importance of multi-professional team-working and the ability to promote it within the organisation.
  • To have an understanding and awareness of behaviours and interpersonal skills that are vital to effective team working and practice them at all times.
  • To ensure that people under the care of the hospice and their carers know how to access the social care, psychology and bereavement services and all Hospice services as appropriate.
  • To be part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team and attend all relevant meetings where required and as necessary.
  • Responsible for the organisation and facilitation of the Carers Drop In sessions.

  • To maintain the highest standards of clinical recording keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing in accordance with professional standards and current legislation.
  • To be responsible for providing Supervision/support to other Social Workers within the team as required
  • To have working knowledge of the service budget and its restrictions
  • To utilise Restricted Funds as appropriate.

COMMUNICATIONS

  • To liaise with other professionals/external organisations on behalf of the hospice as appropriate.
  • To liaise with the community social care teams and other professionals to provide and improve palliative care for people in the community in order to meet the needs of the person, their families and carers.
  • To liaise with all other services where relevant to ensure that the care needs of the person under the care of the hospice, their families and carers are met.
  • To be involved and provide liaison regarding Hospice Ward discharges.
  • To be responsible for chairing and recording of Family Meetings with the Hospice Ward staff and outside agencies, as appropriate.
  • To contribute to the development of an open, supportive culture that facilitates effective multi-professional team working.
  • Contribute to the development of a system for effective multi-professional meetings and exchange of information.
  • To act as an ambassador for the hospice at functions, as required.
  • To assist in tasks that affect the whole hospice, for example, designing of hospice information leaflets, as required.
  • To represent the Family & Individual Support Services Department as appropriate, both internally and externally.
  • To contribute to local, regional and national networks/forums for Specialist Palliative Care within the Social Work role.

EDUCATION

  • Participate in the hospice in-house educational programmes and the core Induction and training of other professionals and volunteers.
  • Teaching as part of the hospice educational programmes for external and internal participants.
  • To be responsible for facilitation and delivery of effective training sessions for Social Work students undertaking their professional training at local colleges.
  • Act as a resource for members of other hospice and Palliative Care Family & Individual Support teams.
  • To participate in research, audit and evaluation of the Social Work function of the hospice.
  • Participate in setting and monitoring of standards within the Family & Individual Support services.
  • To be responsible for providing and sourcing current financial and services information to people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To take responsibility for own professional and personal development which will be monitored in supervision sessions and in Appraisal.
  • To maintain current registration with the SW England at all times and to work within the SW England Professional Standards.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB TITLE: SOCIAL WORKER.

GRADE: Band 6a.

HOURS OF DUTY: 37.5 per week or Job Share.

REPORTS TO: Family and Individual Support Services Manager.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:Family & Individual Support Services Manager.Family & Individual Team Members and wider MDT.

RESPONSIBLE FOR:This role does not have line management responsibility.

JOB SUMMARY:

To provide high quality palliative social work care (including bereavement support) to people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers.

To provide advice, education and support to the wider multi-professional hospice team in respect of psycho-social issues.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide palliative social work care to people under the care of Saint Francis Hospice, their families and their carers.
  • To support other members of the Family & Individual Support Services team in their roles.
  • To participate in the hospices educational programmes.
  • To contribute to local, regional and national networks and forums for palliative care social work.
  • To promote the key values of palliative care for people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers, ensuring equitable access to social work, psychological and bereavement services.
  • To be a Safeguarding Lead for the organisation.
  • To undertake specific Safeguarding training to ensure current legislation is adhered to.
  • To be a member of the Safeguarding Management team and to ensure updated legislation is shared within the group.
  • To facilitate and maintain the highest standard of psycho-social support at all times.
  • To be responsible for co-ordination and facilitation of group work opportunities for people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers.
  • To be responsible for facilitating and co-ordinating outreach sessions for carers off-site.
  • To be responsible for providing Carers Assessments on-site.
  • To ensure provision of high-level emotional support/counselling is available for people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers.
  • To work collaboratively with the psychotherapist/psychologist in order to provide seamless psychological and psycho-social support to people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers.
  • To have an understanding of the importance of multi-professional team-working and the ability to promote it within the organisation.
  • To have an understanding and awareness of behaviours and interpersonal skills that are vital to effective team working and practice them at all times.
  • To ensure that people under the care of the hospice and their carers know how to access the social care, psychology and bereavement services and all Hospice services as appropriate.
  • To be part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team and attend all relevant meetings where required and as necessary.
  • Responsible for the organisation and facilitation of the Carers Drop In sessions.

  • To maintain the highest standards of clinical recording keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing in accordance with professional standards and current legislation.
  • To be responsible for providing Supervision/support to other Social Workers within the team as required
  • To have working knowledge of the service budget and its restrictions
  • To utilise Restricted Funds as appropriate.

COMMUNICATIONS

  • To liaise with other professionals/external organisations on behalf of the hospice as appropriate.
  • To liaise with the community social care teams and other professionals to provide and improve palliative care for people in the community in order to meet the needs of the person, their families and carers.
  • To liaise with all other services where relevant to ensure that the care needs of the person under the care of the hospice, their families and carers are met.
  • To be involved and provide liaison regarding Hospice Ward discharges.
  • To be responsible for chairing and recording of Family Meetings with the Hospice Ward staff and outside agencies, as appropriate.
  • To contribute to the development of an open, supportive culture that facilitates effective multi-professional team working.
  • Contribute to the development of a system for effective multi-professional meetings and exchange of information.
  • To act as an ambassador for the hospice at functions, as required.
  • To assist in tasks that affect the whole hospice, for example, designing of hospice information leaflets, as required.
  • To represent the Family & Individual Support Services Department as appropriate, both internally and externally.
  • To contribute to local, regional and national networks/forums for Specialist Palliative Care within the Social Work role.

EDUCATION

  • Participate in the hospice in-house educational programmes and the core Induction and training of other professionals and volunteers.
  • Teaching as part of the hospice educational programmes for external and internal participants.
  • To be responsible for facilitation and delivery of effective training sessions for Social Work students undertaking their professional training at local colleges.
  • Act as a resource for members of other hospice and Palliative Care Family & Individual Support teams.
  • To participate in research, audit and evaluation of the Social Work function of the hospice.
  • Participate in setting and monitoring of standards within the Family & Individual Support services.
  • To be responsible for providing and sourcing current financial and services information to people under the care of the hospice, their families and carers.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To take responsibility for own professional and personal development which will be monitored in supervision sessions and in Appraisal.
  • To maintain current registration with the SW England at all times and to work within the SW England Professional Standards.

Person Specification

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge/Communication

Essential

  • Demonstrates ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
  • Demonstrates effective communication skills with:
  • -Children, young people and families
  • -Adults
  • -Colleagues
  • Ability to promote and facilitate communication within the Multi-Disciplinary Team.
  • Has awareness of current issues within:
  • -General Social Work including welfare rights
  • -Palliative Care Social Work
  • Willingness to continue to develop own clinical practice
  • Demonstrates insight into own stressors and coping mechanisms.

Desirable

  • Has experience of working within a Palliative Care setting.
  • Has experience of working with bereaved adults.
  • Has experience of facilitating group work with adults.
  • Ability to identify areas of practice for development.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Social Worker.
  • Qualification in Social Work. Degree in Social Work, CQSW, DipSW.

Desirable

  • Post Qualifying Award in Social Work (ASYE or PQSW).
  • Other qualifications: Dip Counselling.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of team working.
  • Experience of working with Multi-Disciplinary Teams.
  • Demonstrates ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information where persuasive, motivational, restorative, training, empathy skills required.
  • Demonstrates ability to provide Supervision where required.

Desirable

  • Demonstrates the ability to teach others.

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • The post holder will be required to travel throughout an operational area. Where this is undertaken by car, the post holder must hold a current, valid driving licence with insurance cover for business purposes.
Person Specification

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge/Communication

Essential

  • Demonstrates ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
  • Demonstrates effective communication skills with:
  • -Children, young people and families
  • -Adults
  • -Colleagues
  • Ability to promote and facilitate communication within the Multi-Disciplinary Team.
  • Has awareness of current issues within:
  • -General Social Work including welfare rights
  • -Palliative Care Social Work
  • Willingness to continue to develop own clinical practice
  • Demonstrates insight into own stressors and coping mechanisms.

Desirable

  • Has experience of working within a Palliative Care setting.
  • Has experience of working with bereaved adults.
  • Has experience of facilitating group work with adults.
  • Ability to identify areas of practice for development.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Social Worker.
  • Qualification in Social Work. Degree in Social Work, CQSW, DipSW.

Desirable

  • Post Qualifying Award in Social Work (ASYE or PQSW).
  • Other qualifications: Dip Counselling.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of team working.
  • Experience of working with Multi-Disciplinary Teams.
  • Demonstrates ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information where persuasive, motivational, restorative, training, empathy skills required.
  • Demonstrates ability to provide Supervision where required.

Desirable

  • Demonstrates the ability to teach others.

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • The post holder will be required to travel throughout an operational area. Where this is undertaken by car, the post holder must hold a current, valid driving licence with insurance cover for business purposes.

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).

Additional information

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Saint Francis Hospice

Address

St. Francis Hospice

Broxhill Road

Havering-atte-bower

Romford

RM4 1QH


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Saint Francis Hospice

Address

St. Francis Hospice

Broxhill Road

Havering-atte-bower

Romford

RM4 1QH


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Family & Individual Support Manager

Shahina Haque

jobs@sfh.org.uk

01708753319

Details

Date posted

07 August 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£36,971 to £43,792 a year our posts do not attract High Cost Area or Fringe allowances

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B0483-237

Job locations

St. Francis Hospice

Broxhill Road

Havering-atte-bower

Romford

RM4 1QH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Saint Francis Hospice's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)