University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

Specialist Social Worker

The closing date is 23 April 2026

Job summary

This post will work across the life span of both Paediatric and Adult Cystic Fibrosis patients. The post holder will provide a social work service to meet the needs of children, adolescents and adults with their families who have CF. The service framework is set out by the Regional Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Network and from national guidelines for best practice.

Working as part of the core MDT with an important role in supporting, assisting patients and families to enable them to manage the many psychosocial and practical issues. Supporting patients and their families with the challenges associated with living with CF.

Support will also be around the impact of CF at key stages such as diagnosis, transition, deteriorating health, transplantation and end of life care.

The CF teams work together to provide a seamless service and this post will be integral in linking both teams as it will contribute and be proactive within transition to ensure a smooth preparation and transfer to adult care.

The philosophy of the CF services is to provide patient and family centred care and there is a strong MDT to support this.

The post holder will work across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. The role includes collaboration with statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure coordinated, patient-centred care across organisational and geographical boundaries. The SW will play a key role in addressing barriers to engagement, and promoting wellbeing across the lifespan.

Main duties of the job

Manage a caseload of patients with cystic fibrosis across children's and adult services.
Undertake holistic psychosocial assessments and develop care plans in collaboration with patients and families.
Provide emotional support and brief interventions to support adjustment, coping, and engagement with treatment.
Identify and address barriers to treatment adherence, including social, psychological, and practical factors.
Provide advice and support regarding welfare benefits, housing, education, and employment.
Act as an advocate for patients and families within health, social care, and other agencies.
Work as a core member of the cystic fibrosis MDT, attending clinics, ward rounds, and team meetings.
Liaise and work jointly with local authority teams, community services, and outlying providers.
Contribute to safeguarding processes for children and adults, including risk assessment and information sharing.
Undertake community visits, including home visits, where appropriate.
Maintain accurate and timely clinical records.
Participate in supervision, training, and continuing professional development.
Contribute to service development, audit, and quality improvement activities.

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

387-W&C0442-NG

Job locations

Bristol Royal Hospital for Children

Upper Maudlin Street

Bistol

BS2 8BJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Undertake comprehensive psychosocial assessments, considering the impact of cystic fibrosis on emotional wellbeing, family functioning, and daily living.

Demonstrates awareness and is mindful of Local Authority Social Services policies and procedures.

Develop, implement, and review care plans in partnership with patients, families, and the MDT.

Provide ongoing support to patients and families across the disease trajectory and deliver brief psychosocial interventions to support coping, adjustment, and engagement.

To be a source of specialist social work knowledge and skills for medical and support staff where psycho-social and / or safeguarding issues are a significant factor in patient and family care

Responds independently to crises and the needs of the patients in conjunction with medical staff, psychological professionals, and the multi-disciplinary team

Demonstrates knowledge of, and understanding of, the voluntary sector services across the Trusts geographical area and the wider region covered by the role, so as to be able to signpost and refer to services appropriate to individuals needs.

Regularly support individuals and families who are coming to terms with the trauma of diagnosis and managing a lifelong illness.

Ability to undertake difficult conversations with people who may be experiencing high levels of psychological distress and/or complex mental health difficulties.

Family and Lifespan Working

Work effectively with children, young people, adults, and families, adapting approaches to developmental and individual needs.

Support parents and carers in managing the impact of cystic fibrosis on family life and contribute to planning and supporting transition from paediatric to adult services.

Advocacy and Practical Support

Provide information, advice, and practical support relating to welfare benefits, financial hardship, housing needs, accommodation issues, education, and employment. Advocate on behalf of patients and families with statutory services, healthcare providers, and voluntary organisations.

To apply or support patient applications to charities for financial assistance/ welfare grants for those in need

MDT and Partnership Working

Work as an active member of the cystic fibrosis MDT and attend outpatient clinics, ward rounds, and MDT meetings. Liaise with professionals in local authority services, community teams, and outlying or non-specialist services to promote continuity of care.

Safeguarding and Risk Management

Identify safeguarding concerns in line with statutory guidance and local procedures. Undertake risk assessments, contribute to safeguarding plans, and work collaboratively with safeguarding partners.

To liaise closely with thechild and adult safeguarding teams and external safeguarding agencies on behalf of patients and their families whilst taking due account of issues such as confidentiality, dignity and respect, and maintain an anti-discriminatory practice by alerting the CF teams of any personal, social, cultural, family issues that may have medical implications.

Community and Outreach Working

Undertake home visits and community-based work where appropriate and support patients who may find it difficult to engage with hospital-based services.

Develop positive working relationships with other organisations, including the CF trust, other CF hospital centres, and third-sector organisations.

Professional Responsibilities

Maintain registration with Social Work England and adhere to professional standards. Participate in supervision, appraisal, and continuing professional development.

Keep up to date with trust training requirements and social work research/training

Is professionally accountable for all aspects of work according to professional code of conduct.

Demonstrates awareness and good working knowledge of statutory legislation and practice guidance applicable to children and adults.

To attend and participate actively in all mandatory meetings

Delivers education and training on psychosocial issues and wider determinants of health, and the role of the social worker, to all members of the MDT

To maintain accurate records of all discussions, contacts and communications with patients and those involved with their care.

To undertake any other relevant duties as agreed with the line manager.

This post requires the post holder to work with either children or Adults from a vulnerable community in a wide variety of settings

Ensure all child protection, adult safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act issues are responded to according to policy and procedure.

Service Development and Quality Improvement

Contribute to audit, evaluation, and service development initiatives and support student placements where appropriate.