Job summary
This is a very different Carer role. We provide respite, palliative and bereavement care for children with life-limiting conditions on a one-to-one basis. Having the time to build relationships with children and their families whilst they are at the hospice and between visits helps to make our roles incredibly fulfilling. This is a role where you can directly support putting children and families at the centre of all we do and make the most of short and precious lives.
Working as part of a friendly team, Little Harbour offers a beautiful, homely, well equipped workplace within a supportive environment where you will be recognised as a valuable individual member of the care team. 95% of our staff strongly agree that they enjoy the work they do at CHSW and we value our staff and offer an excellent working environment with an enthusiastic and committed team.
Due to the complex needs of the children we care for, you will need be be experienced in caring for children with life-limiting conditions, complex needs or chronic illnesses.
Main duties of the job
Hours are worked on rotating shifts (up to 12.5 hours) including nights, weekends and bank holidays, with enhancements for night, weekend and bank holiday working. Although we are unable to provide fixed shifts, we aim to be as flexible as possible in shift patterns to enable staff to have a good work/life balance.
If you are not sure about what it is like to work in a Children's Hospice or the precious service we offer our children and families, please look at some of our family stories and quality report on our website. To arrange an informal chat or visit to Little Harbour, please give our HR Team a call on 01726 871800 to arrange.
About us
Our employees work hard every day to make the most of short and precious lives. We are proud to support them with a range of enhanced benefits which include:
33 days (plus bank holidays) holiday entitlement, which increases with service
Enhanced sick pay scheme rising up to 6 months full and 6 months half pay
Personal pension scheme with 7% employer contribution
Family friendly policies, with enhanced maternity/adoption pay
Occupational health, wellbeing and counselling services and employee assistance programme
Group life insurance scheme
Training and development opportunities
Environmental and green agenda
Free on-site parking
A nurturing and inclusive environment
A chance to make a real difference
Job description
Job responsibilities
To
create a homely and welcoming environment in which families feel nurtured and
rested. To provide friendship and care,
(including physical, emotional, social and spiritual care) to the sick child
and their immediate and extended family.
To work flexibly alongside the families, supporting them in the manner
that they choose.
To
develop a supportive relationship as a professional friend to named children
and their families, keeping in touch with them between visits to the hospice
and maintaining close liaison with other practitioners and agencies involved in
their care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To
create a homely and welcoming environment in which families feel nurtured and
rested. To provide friendship and care,
(including physical, emotional, social and spiritual care) to the sick child
and their immediate and extended family.
To work flexibly alongside the families, supporting them in the manner
that they choose.
To
develop a supportive relationship as a professional friend to named children
and their families, keeping in touch with them between visits to the hospice
and maintaining close liaison with other practitioners and agencies involved in
their care.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant professional qualification in children's healthcare, social care or play/education.
Desirable
- Certificate, diploma or degree in: palliative care for children; counselling; or care of the dying.
Experience
Essential
- Post qualification practice and experience, preferably working with children and their families.
Desirable
- Previous experience working with children with life limiting or life threatening conditions and their families.
- Experience of working with children and families facing loss / bereavement.
- Previous experience working on a multi-disciplinary team.
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of the needs of children with life limiting conditions and their families.
- Understanding of the philosophy of childrens hospices.
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of palliative care for children.
- Knowledge and understanding of loss and bereavement in childhood.
Working with Others
Essential
- Good team worker with co-operative and supportive approach to fellow team members.
- Evidence of previous partnership working with children and families with a sensitive and non-judgmental approach.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Caring, warm and friendly.
- A personal commitment to and empathy for the philosophy of childrens hospice care.
- A collaborative manner, which is caring, courteous, confident and non-confrontational with both children and families and fellow team members.
- Resourceful and energetic.
- Sense of humour.
Attitude
Essential
- Flexible.
- Motivated.
- Creative, can do approach.
- Commitment to working in partnership with families and providing a family led service.
- Willing to share own knowledge, but also keen to learn from others.
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of ability to work to a high standard within chosen professional field.
- Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills.
- Evidence of problem solving ability.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant professional qualification in children's healthcare, social care or play/education.
Desirable
- Certificate, diploma or degree in: palliative care for children; counselling; or care of the dying.
Experience
Essential
- Post qualification practice and experience, preferably working with children and their families.
Desirable
- Previous experience working with children with life limiting or life threatening conditions and their families.
- Experience of working with children and families facing loss / bereavement.
- Previous experience working on a multi-disciplinary team.
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of the needs of children with life limiting conditions and their families.
- Understanding of the philosophy of childrens hospices.
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of palliative care for children.
- Knowledge and understanding of loss and bereavement in childhood.
Working with Others
Essential
- Good team worker with co-operative and supportive approach to fellow team members.
- Evidence of previous partnership working with children and families with a sensitive and non-judgmental approach.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Caring, warm and friendly.
- A personal commitment to and empathy for the philosophy of childrens hospice care.
- A collaborative manner, which is caring, courteous, confident and non-confrontational with both children and families and fellow team members.
- Resourceful and energetic.
- Sense of humour.
Attitude
Essential
- Flexible.
- Motivated.
- Creative, can do approach.
- Commitment to working in partnership with families and providing a family led service.
- Willing to share own knowledge, but also keen to learn from others.
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of ability to work to a high standard within chosen professional field.
- Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills.
- Evidence of problem solving ability.
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.
