Job responsibilities
To seek to improve and maximise
the psycho-social quality of life of patients and families, in order to ensure
that they experience a coherent and integrated system of social support matched
to their personal circumstances.
To provide the social care aspect
in the multidisciplinary team, ensuring the care provided by the Hospice is
holistic and fully integrated into statutory and other external services.
Support the
protection of vulnerable adults and children accessing our services
coordinating safeguarding cases, completing referrals to local authority
safeguarding teams and liaising with local authority as part of their
investigations.
Work within the Family Support
Team that provides practical emotional bereavement care and support to Hospice
patients, their families and carers to support the efficient and effective
running this service.
Communication and
relationships
Work
collaboratively with other members of the Family Support/Bereavement Service,
Hospice team, external professionals and organisations including relevant
social services, health, education and voluntary organisations to enable the
best possible continuity of services and support for clients.
Attend
both internal and external multi professional meetings and build partnerships
with external organisations to ensure the highest standards of care and support
is delivered to the local community.
Establish
and sustain good working partnerships with the local authority to assess
patients in the community, to facilitate rapid access to services and ensuring
their continued support in the community
Establish
relationships with patients, their families and carers pre and post bereavement
in order to assist with the uncomplicated grief level 1-2 support as
appropriate.
Work
with the Day Services team to assist in the organisation and provision of
support to volunteers involved with the Family Support/Bereavement Team.
Participate
in MDT meetings to share specialist expertise to facilitate a holistic approach
of palliative care from social work perspectives
Co-ordinate
safeguarding cases involving information which may be highly complex and or
highly sensitive, and which may be difficult to convey to those affected by
this.
Produce,
non-judgemental written skills in documentation and report writing
Analytical and
judgemental skills
Assess
patients, families & carers emotional, financial and practical needs within
a holistic approach and social context in order to devise an appropriate
empathetic action plan, recognising the need to seek support in more difficult
and complex situations.
Assess
patients mental capacity on-going and specifically when concerns relating to
lack of capacity and deprivation of liberties (DOLs) are raised.
Assess
patients, families and situations when concerns are raised requiring
safeguarding referrals. Referral to
local authority safeguarding team and associated liaison regarding
investigations.
Negotiate
options with the patient, family and multi-disciplinary teams to ensure that
patient choice is central to decision making processes
Critically
assess situations, prioritise needs and plan appropriate care in order to
facilitate rapid access to services and discharges as appropriate.
Anticipate
the changing needs proactively of patients, their families and carers in order
to assist with facilitating appropriate levels of care required.
Planning and
organisational skills
Work
in partnership with the local authority and undertake the assessment of
patients in the community with life-limiting illnesses, to gain access to the
required services more quickly as well as ensuring continued support of
patients and carers in the community.
Working
with the hospice multi-disciplinary team to support decision making regarding
MCA/DOLs and safeguarding referrals and input.
Ensure that all the needs of patient, carer
and family have been identified and co-ordinating the implementation continuing
healthcare required in order to contribute with the discharge planning from the
Hospice of patients with complex needs and arrange case conferences.
Liaise
with and understand referral processes with internal colleagues and external
agencies concerned with Welfare Rights, Social Care and Health, and the
Department of Work and Pensions to provide optimal support for patients,
families and their carers.
Manage
and prioritise their own work time and contribute to that of volunteers
Support
the day to day operations of the Family Support Service to ensure efficient and
effective service
Participate
in the delivery of training to other colleagues and volunteers in relation to
own specialism of practice.
Plan
and organise home visits where appropriate which may involve lone working
practises
To
contribute to the supervision of students as deemed appropriate.
To
contribute to the training of volunteers involved in the Family Support Team
Patient/Client
Care
Ensure
that the social care needs of individual patients and carers referred to the
Hospice are identified and addressed in timely and appropriate ways
Assist
the FST to ensure that practical and financial support is available to
patients, families and carers by providing basic guidance related to benefits,
home care, finance and family issues and referring on to other members of the
MDT and/or external agencies where appropriate.
Support
and help patients their families and carers through timely access to services
Provide
patient-centred model of care
Maximise
quality of life through access to rehabilitation and social care service
Work
collaboratively and in partnership both internally and externally to all
relevant stakeholders to promote effectiveness and efficiency in service
provision.
Provide
as necessary, information and advocacy about welfare rights, direct payments
and residential and nursing home placements, personal budgets, benefits and
similar types of help and liaise or refer to other agencies as appropriate.
Undertake
or facilitate group work with families and carers to provide them with relevant
support, care, and information related to their psycho-social, spiritual and
financial needs and clinical needs relating to uncomplicated grief.
Physical Skills
Standard keyboard skills are required
Policy and
Service Development
Work as a key member of the Family Support
Team as the service is developed to ensure high quality service delivery in an
ethical and effective manner in line with the agreed sub-strategy group
Carry out the role in accordance with current
legislation, Hospice philosophy, policies, procedures and other relevant
professional guidelines
Contribute towards
policies and procedures within area of specialism including carers strategy
development and bereavement support journey.
Financial and
Physical Resources
Responsible for equipment and resources
within own area of work i.e. computer equipment
Human Resources
Responsible for the day to day management of social work
including participation in the recruitment process, induction, training,
appraisal and disciplinary procedures at the informal stage.
Take an active role in clinical supervision
as appropriate
Supervision of social work students in
placement
To attend any appropriate training
requirements both statutory and mandatory to comply with current Health and
Safety legislation and in line with the Hospices responsibility to comply with
Government Directives
As an employee of the Hospice, the post
holder is required to preserve the confidentiality of any information regarding
patients, staff (in connection with their employment), and the business of St
Cuthberts business
Information
Resources
Maintain records to meet Hospice guidelines,
professional standards and standards set by statutory bodies such as the Care
Quality Commission
Provide statistical information as
required
Research and
Development
Maintain professional competence & ensure
evidence-based practice by keeping up to date with current research &
developments within social work, particularly in respect of palliative care.
Be required to participate in clinical audits
Freedom to Act
Works within defined policies and
procedures
Ability to recognise limitations of
knowledge, skills and competencies and seek guidance from the Head of Clinical
Services where appropriate
Support and guidance provided through
clinical supervision.
