King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Neonatal and Paediatric Bereavement and Family Liaison CNS

The closing date is 09 September 2025

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for a paediatric nurse to work in a secondment for 12 months as a Paediatric and Neonatal Bereavement and Family Liaison Nurse Specialist. As part of role you will support families of babies, children and young people with a life limiting illness and extend to bereavement support when a child dies.

Main duties of the job

You will work as part of a team of nurses to have oversight of paediatric and neonatal deaths within all areas of the organisation including working cross-site with our sister hospital the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley. The role requires the applicant to support the families before, during and after the death of a child.You will act as a key worker to the family as the single point of contact for the multi-disciplinary team. In line with the death review process, you will work alongside the designated doctor for Child death and other clinical teams to liaise with external agencies such as coroner, police, social care, hospices and charity groups.

About us

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Details

Date posted

26 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum pro rata including HCA

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

213-CAX-7387413-A

Job locations

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the Job Description attached for a full description of the role.

Ensure high quality evidence based care is offered to the grieving families by providing practical and emotional support when required in collaboration with the relevant clinical area

Act as an expert resource/advisor to families, siblings and health care professionals, liaising with internal and external agencies where appropriate whilst ensuring visibility within the specialty.

Create a child and family friendly environment, which promotes respect and dignity towards children, families and colleagues, taking into account multi-cultural and multi-faith needs.

To act as an advocate for the neonate, child and carers ensuring the provision of appropriate information and support services.

Ensure confidentiality of the neonate, child and family are protected at all times in line with local and national safeguarding policies

Work collaboratively with families, the relevant clinical area and external agencies in the delivery of an end of life care plans. Ensure each caseload has an identified named lead clinician.

To assist in sensitively obtaining informed consent for a Hospital Post Mortem and for the retention of tissue and organs at post mortem in line with local and national guidance.

To ensure relatives and carers are fully informed about the reasons for post mortem including coroners, medical education and research

To provide guidance and support on the return of Tissue and Organs in accordance with local and national guidelines: may involve active participation in ensuring adherence to statutory requirements.

To manage the arrangements to visiting deceased patients by relatives, carers or friends in conjunction with the Trust Bereavement Support Service, Mortuary and Chaplaincy

To liaise with the Trust Bereavement Support Office, Coroners Office, G.Ps, Pathologists and Registration Officers in relation to death certification to allow a smooth pathway for the families

Act as a resource to families, siblings and health care professionals to direct them to outside agencies in relation to additional bereavement support as appropriate

To assist and advise the bereaved on the return of certificates, property, registration and other relevant matters

To facilitate counselling and support services for bereaved people including identifying long-term support needs through discussion with the bereaved relatives and making referrals to relevant counselling/support agencies as appropriate both within and outside the Organisation.

To access translation/interpretation services including services for people with communication disabilities using appropriate resources to facilitate this process.

Provide a consultancy role in relation to Child Bereavement Care across Variety Childrens Hospital.

Monitor quality of standards of care, in line with CQC requirements and Trust and Divisional objectives.

To liaise with the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) to address any family/carer concerns and ensure they are dealt with quickly and effectively

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the Job Description attached for a full description of the role.

Ensure high quality evidence based care is offered to the grieving families by providing practical and emotional support when required in collaboration with the relevant clinical area

Act as an expert resource/advisor to families, siblings and health care professionals, liaising with internal and external agencies where appropriate whilst ensuring visibility within the specialty.

Create a child and family friendly environment, which promotes respect and dignity towards children, families and colleagues, taking into account multi-cultural and multi-faith needs.

To act as an advocate for the neonate, child and carers ensuring the provision of appropriate information and support services.

Ensure confidentiality of the neonate, child and family are protected at all times in line with local and national safeguarding policies

Work collaboratively with families, the relevant clinical area and external agencies in the delivery of an end of life care plans. Ensure each caseload has an identified named lead clinician.

To assist in sensitively obtaining informed consent for a Hospital Post Mortem and for the retention of tissue and organs at post mortem in line with local and national guidance.

To ensure relatives and carers are fully informed about the reasons for post mortem including coroners, medical education and research

To provide guidance and support on the return of Tissue and Organs in accordance with local and national guidelines: may involve active participation in ensuring adherence to statutory requirements.

To manage the arrangements to visiting deceased patients by relatives, carers or friends in conjunction with the Trust Bereavement Support Service, Mortuary and Chaplaincy

To liaise with the Trust Bereavement Support Office, Coroners Office, G.Ps, Pathologists and Registration Officers in relation to death certification to allow a smooth pathway for the families

Act as a resource to families, siblings and health care professionals to direct them to outside agencies in relation to additional bereavement support as appropriate

To assist and advise the bereaved on the return of certificates, property, registration and other relevant matters

To facilitate counselling and support services for bereaved people including identifying long-term support needs through discussion with the bereaved relatives and making referrals to relevant counselling/support agencies as appropriate both within and outside the Organisation.

To access translation/interpretation services including services for people with communication disabilities using appropriate resources to facilitate this process.

Provide a consultancy role in relation to Child Bereavement Care across Variety Childrens Hospital.

Monitor quality of standards of care, in line with CQC requirements and Trust and Divisional objectives.

To liaise with the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) to address any family/carer concerns and ensure they are dealt with quickly and effectively

Person Specification

Education, qualifications and experience

Essential

  • Registered Paediatric Nurse
  • Post registration qualification relevant to area of speciality or Relevant counselling qualification
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Relevant counselling qualification
Person Specification

Education, qualifications and experience

Essential

  • Registered Paediatric Nurse
  • Post registration qualification relevant to area of speciality or Relevant counselling qualification
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Relevant counselling qualification

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS


Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS


Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Nurse for Children's Critical Care

Kerry Murphy

kerymurphy@nhs.net

02032993664

Details

Date posted

26 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum pro rata including HCA

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

213-CAX-7387413-A

Job locations

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS


Supporting documents

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