Job summary
The Social Work Team works alongside patients, families and carers who need palliative social work support. The role requires working with patients in the inpatient unit and community settings, including patients homes.
The team works collaboratively with families and carers, community nursing teams, wider hospice services and external organisations to support people in the advanced stages of illness to access the support they need and plan for the future.
The successful candidate will join a friendly and professional team who make areal difference to patients and their families at the most challenging time. This role allows the time to build trusting relationships and the opportunity to support in creative ways.
Main duties of the job
To provide social care, practical and emotional support, using a strengths based palliative care approach, enabling patients to live as fully, safely and independently as possible within the limitations of advancing disease.
To work in accordance with social work values, collaborating with the multi disciplinary team within the hospice and external organisations to deliver holistic, effective and accessible support to patients and their carers
To be observant for situations placing patients and carers at risk of abuse and neglect, responding and reporting in accordance with organisation clinical safeguarding policies
To consistently model the values of the hospice, contributing to a positive team culture.
About us
Weve spent over 40 years helping people die in peace, and with dignity. Combining compassion with clinical expertise, we provide patients with the best possible care at the end of their lives.
Were here for the people around our patients too those closest to them. Before, during and after a bereavement, we provide support thats remembered forever.
We think its that unforgettable support that inspires people to give back to St Peters. To fundraise for us. Donate. Volunteer. Were not exaggerating when we say that we couldnt do what we do without our wonderful supporters. We really cant thank them enough.
We want to help many more people to die well. And were doing this by teaching others. As a centre of educational excellence, we share our skills with other health professionals, helping the NHS and care homes to provide better end-of-life care.
Were here for all, for free, forever.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To undertake patient and carer assessments of palliative care social work needs
To work in partnership with patients and carers to identify their social work support needs
To co-plan proportionate, person-centred, creative and outcome-based support interventions to patients and carers, reviewing for effectiveness
2
To work inclusively with adults from diverse backgrounds, including physical disabilities, mental health, substance use, learning disabilities, older adults, and carers
To demonstrate a strong commitment to human rights, the social model of disability and reducing inequality experienced by marginalised groups within our communities
To autonomously manage a caseload under line management supervision, joint working with a qualified social worker where appropriate
To provide emotional support to patients and carers at the advanced stages of disease progression and post bereavement as appropriate
To gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
To facilitate support groups and wellbeing sessions for patients and carers
To work together with the hospice multi-disciplinary team and external organisations, ensuring that patients and carers can access the care and support they need for maximising their quality of life
To work in accordance with the organisations clinical safeguarding policies
To undertake administrative tasks related to the role when required
To show an ability to manage competing priorities in consultation with line manager where necessary, so that the highest priority work is completed in a timely way
To maintain accurate client records on the hospice electronic patient record system, in accordance with hospice policy
To actively participate in team meetings and individual supervision for the development of individual knowledge and skills, team performance and service improvement
To work adaptively in various community locations and forums across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, in accordance with local need and hospice strategic plan
3
To support internal and local strategic initiatives through promoting awareness and interest in work with internal and external colleagues, patients and carers
To demonstrate values associated with social work and our hospice values in all you do
Job description
Job responsibilities
To undertake patient and carer assessments of palliative care social work needs
To work in partnership with patients and carers to identify their social work support needs
To co-plan proportionate, person-centred, creative and outcome-based support interventions to patients and carers, reviewing for effectiveness
2
To work inclusively with adults from diverse backgrounds, including physical disabilities, mental health, substance use, learning disabilities, older adults, and carers
To demonstrate a strong commitment to human rights, the social model of disability and reducing inequality experienced by marginalised groups within our communities
To autonomously manage a caseload under line management supervision, joint working with a qualified social worker where appropriate
To provide emotional support to patients and carers at the advanced stages of disease progression and post bereavement as appropriate
To gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
To facilitate support groups and wellbeing sessions for patients and carers
To work together with the hospice multi-disciplinary team and external organisations, ensuring that patients and carers can access the care and support they need for maximising their quality of life
To work in accordance with the organisations clinical safeguarding policies
To undertake administrative tasks related to the role when required
To show an ability to manage competing priorities in consultation with line manager where necessary, so that the highest priority work is completed in a timely way
To maintain accurate client records on the hospice electronic patient record system, in accordance with hospice policy
To actively participate in team meetings and individual supervision for the development of individual knowledge and skills, team performance and service improvement
To work adaptively in various community locations and forums across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, in accordance with local need and hospice strategic plan
3
To support internal and local strategic initiatives through promoting awareness and interest in work with internal and external colleagues, patients and carers
To demonstrate values associated with social work and our hospice values in all you do
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Excellent standard of literacy and numeracy
- Computer literate and willingness to embrace new technology
- Level 3 Diploma or equivalent in Health and Social Care or agreement to complete on appointment
Desirable
- Additional relevant training in health and social care
Experience
Essential
- Recent, relevant work experience in a hospice, health or social care setting
- Evidence of working in a highly collaborative manner with other professionals, both in an internal multidisciplinary and external multi agency capacity
- Experience of working with people in emotional distress and presenting with social care needs.
- An understanding of the effects of illness on physical, psychological and social function, bereavement and loss
- Experience of delivering training and or willingness to assist with these activities, encouraging learning in our volunteers and community
- Experience of or willingness to develop skills in group facilitation
- Proven experience of working in diverse communities, understanding and overcoming the impact of discrimination
Desirable
- Experience of working in the field of palliative care and bereavement
- An up to date knowledge of welfare benefits
- Knowledge and experience of using psycho-social interventions.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Ability to work in autonomously within boundaries of role
- Able to plan and maintain high level of organisation and manage competing priorities to ensure the most urgent work is completed in a timely way
- Highly developed communication skills to develop effective therapeutic relationships with clients and carers
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Caring and compassionate attitude
- Ability to work well with others with professionalism
- Works flexibly to support other team members and service delivery
- Committed to personal and team development
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical boundaries
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Excellent standard of literacy and numeracy
- Computer literate and willingness to embrace new technology
- Level 3 Diploma or equivalent in Health and Social Care or agreement to complete on appointment
Desirable
- Additional relevant training in health and social care
Experience
Essential
- Recent, relevant work experience in a hospice, health or social care setting
- Evidence of working in a highly collaborative manner with other professionals, both in an internal multidisciplinary and external multi agency capacity
- Experience of working with people in emotional distress and presenting with social care needs.
- An understanding of the effects of illness on physical, psychological and social function, bereavement and loss
- Experience of delivering training and or willingness to assist with these activities, encouraging learning in our volunteers and community
- Experience of or willingness to develop skills in group facilitation
- Proven experience of working in diverse communities, understanding and overcoming the impact of discrimination
Desirable
- Experience of working in the field of palliative care and bereavement
- An up to date knowledge of welfare benefits
- Knowledge and experience of using psycho-social interventions.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Ability to work in autonomously within boundaries of role
- Able to plan and maintain high level of organisation and manage competing priorities to ensure the most urgent work is completed in a timely way
- Highly developed communication skills to develop effective therapeutic relationships with clients and carers
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Caring and compassionate attitude
- Ability to work well with others with professionalism
- Works flexibly to support other team members and service delivery
- Committed to personal and team development
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical boundaries
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.