Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust

Family Support Worker

The closing date is 12 March 2026

Job summary

JOB INFORMATION

This primary job base is within the Neonatal unit at Liverpool Women's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and will include close working with the nursing and medical team, safeguarding and social work teams. The family support worker will also support families across the Liverpool Neonatal Partnership including on the Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on the Alder Hey site.

Main duties of the job

Job Purpose:

The role of the Family Support worker is a clinical, patient facing role, working under direct supervision of registered practitioners, to provide the best care and support for infants and their families under the care of the Neonatal Team primarily based at Liverpool women's hospital but supporting patients and families across the Liverpool Neonatal Partnership.

The post holder will lead the Early Help Programme and support families in times of challenge and stress and liaise with Health and Social Service providers. Support may alsoinclude but not be limited to the provision of practical help, arranging accommodation, helping with travel for families.

About us

Liverpool Women's NHS FT became part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG) in November 2024, following the coming together with Liverpool University Hospitals NHS FT. UHLG was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide to our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues who are dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond. For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, UHLG is also their local NHS, providing general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

At Liverpool Women's Hospital, each year we deliver approximately 7,500 babies, carry out around 50,000 gynaecological inpatient and outpatient procedures, care for over 1,000 poorly and premature newborns, perform around 1,000 IVF cycles, and conduct over 4,000 genetic appointments.

We believe that this, along with a strong dedication to research and innovation, makes usthespecialist health provider of choice in Europe for women, babies and families.

For roles at Liverpool University Hospitals, visit their careers page.

UKVI guidelines prohibits sponsorship for all Band 2 posts. Guidelines state that many non-clinical posts are not eligible for sponsorship. Please use UKVI guidance on Skilled Worker Visas to determine your eligibility for sponsorship if you were to gain a conditional offer for this role.

https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job

Date posted

27 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

159-LWH-41-26

Job locations

Neonatal Intensive care Unit

Crown Street

Liverpool

L8 7SS

Job description

Job responsibilities

CORE KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

PROFESSIONAL

Understand accountability and the limitations of own role.

Take responsibility for own development.

Be aware of and adhere to Trust Policies and Procedures.

Ensure any complaints from parents/carers are reported in accordance with Trust policy.

Act as a positive role model at all times.

Participate in audit/research/projects as appropriate.

Undertake & achieve Trust & local specific competencies commensurate with the role

Understand the effects of caring for a neonate on the family and develop a supportive role in collaboration with the other members of the team.

Working in partnership with the family, creating a professional and trustworthy relationship.

Patients and families will be supported with empathy and referred onto the relevant support agencies.

CLINICAL:

Contribute to the provision of a comprehensive family support service to parents, carers, young people and infants with neonatal challenges.

Provide practical advice and support to families such as welfare rights advice and benefits.

Apply the principles of Right help, Right time (guidance for practitioner) in order to determine the level of need required to support families

Lead the Early Help assessment process within the department.

Have a good knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding procedures, escalating as appropriate.

Work alongside discharge planning coordinator/NCOT service to support transition into the community following discharge. Participate in weekly social review meeting.

Promote a child and young person friendly environment and Family Integrated Care. Work alongside FiCare and MDT to support family events on the neonatal unit.

To promote and facilitate parental understanding of the needs of an infant through the neonatal pathway, develop coping strategies and assist with bonding.

Participate in parent education sessions, including basic life support

Advocate for families by acting as a bridge between the family and multi-disciplinary teams.

Assist in providing emotional support to families, escalating to unit psychologist team as appropriate

Provide clinical support at weekly Neonatal clinic and contact families in advance to confirm attendance and ay reasonable adjustments required to attend.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Participate in working with EDI team to ensure families are provided with appropriate resources according to culture, diversity and need during their inpatient stay on the neonatal unit.

Work in partnership with patients and families utilising effective communication skills to ensure that patients and families feel supported throughout their stay. This may be in challenging situations.

Assist in supporting families, particularly following diagnosis, and bad news, unexpected changes in patients conditions or treatment plans.

Liaise with external agencies, where appropriate, on behalf of parents/carers, for example Safeguarding teams, Social Workers, Health Visitor.

Work in partnership with, and act as a link between the child young person and family Multi professional team and support services to ensure effective communication, ensuring appropriate information and relevant support

Communicate with the multi-professional team and other departments/external agencies on specific needs of the child, young person and family.

Advocate for families by acting as a bridge between the family and multi-disciplinary teams.

Assist in providing emotional support to families, particularly following diagnosis, bad news, unexpected changes in an infants condition or treatment plans.

Participate in the clinical supervision process

PLANNING AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS

Able to plan and organise workload

To work with discharge planning coordinator to facilitate progress and care towards timely and effective discharge and signpost to other services

Prioritise and effectively time manage clinical and other responsibilities

Attend multi-disciplinary ward rounds and report issues relevant to the family.

Assist in the collection of the families and carers feedback and support the patient experience process and data presentation.

Signpost families to appropriate services and help them in this process.

Obtain information, when appropriate, regarding parents/carers financial and emotional circumstances to supplement a comprehensive assessment of their on-going needs.

Support parents with practical support with completion of forms, if required