Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified Complementary Therapist to join our team at Shooting Star Childrens Hospices as Complementary Therapies Lead.
Shooting Star Childrens Hospices provides specialist care to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or who have been bereaved. Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, we support families across Surrey, north-west London and south-west London from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, psychological and medical care.
At the heart of what we do are our dedicated staff; their exceptional commitment and professionalism means every family has the opportunity to make every moment count.
Its a great time to join Shooting Star Childrens Hospices as we have a growing therapies team, supporting families through complementary therapies, arts therapies and EMDR therapy.
Main duties of the job
As Complementary Therapies Lead, you will lead the delivery of high-quality complementary therapies to children, parents and families of Shooting Star Childrens Hospices. This includes families affected by a childs life-limiting condition, and families who experience the sudden and unexpected death of their child. The Complementary Therapies service includes individual treatments and therapeutic support groups, to help ease physical discomfort, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional wellbeing in a safe and nurturing environment.
About us
Shooting Star Childrens Hospices is committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that getting things right is critical for us to live our organisations values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence.
We are always trying to improve our way of working to be more inclusive and equal. Our vision is for Shooting Star Childrens Hospices to be a place where people of all backgrounds, groups and communities feel welcomed to work and volunteer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As part of the Psychosocial Services, complementary therapy treatments are offered to babies,
children and young people with life-limiting conditions, as well as to their siblings, parents and
grandparents. Treatments are also provided to bereaved siblings, parents and grandparents as part of
the hospices Specialist Bereavement Service.
Qualified complementary therapist volunteers and employed complementary therapists help to deliver
treatments. Treatments are predominantly provided individually, but referrals may include supporting
a parent in delivering a massage to their child or leading a group session for care staff and children
with life-limiting conditions. The postholder will be involved in support groups and wellness events
focused on wellbeing such as Pamper Days and other initiatives.
As a member of the Psychosocial Services, the postholder is expected to work holistically with
families, recognising their wider needs and identifying appropriate internal and external
professionals who may provide specialist support. A weekly psychosocial multidisciplinary team
(MDT) meeting supports collaborative discussion and shared decision-making around families
needs and care planning. Insight gained through working closely with families informs the ongoing
development of resources, groups and events, ensuring the service continues to evolve in
response to the needs of children and families.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As part of the Psychosocial Services, complementary therapy treatments are offered to babies,
children and young people with life-limiting conditions, as well as to their siblings, parents and
grandparents. Treatments are also provided to bereaved siblings, parents and grandparents as part of
the hospices Specialist Bereavement Service.
Qualified complementary therapist volunteers and employed complementary therapists help to deliver
treatments. Treatments are predominantly provided individually, but referrals may include supporting
a parent in delivering a massage to their child or leading a group session for care staff and children
with life-limiting conditions. The postholder will be involved in support groups and wellness events
focused on wellbeing such as Pamper Days and other initiatives.
As a member of the Psychosocial Services, the postholder is expected to work holistically with
families, recognising their wider needs and identifying appropriate internal and external
professionals who may provide specialist support. A weekly psychosocial multidisciplinary team
(MDT) meeting supports collaborative discussion and shared decision-making around families
needs and care planning. Insight gained through working closely with families informs the ongoing
development of resources, groups and events, ensuring the service continues to evolve in
response to the needs of children and families.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised qualification in holistic
- massage
- Recognised qualification in
- aromatherapy
- Registered with the Complementary and
- National Healthcare Council or other
- professional body (or willingness to apply
- and confirm mem
Desirable
- Recognised qualification in
- acupuncture, Indian head massage,
- reflexology
- Qualification in story massage and/or
- baby massage
Experience
Essential
- A minimum of two years post
- qualification experience as a
- Complementary Therapist practicing
- aromatherapy, holistic massage,
- reflexology, Indian head massage, or
- acupuncture.
- Experience of working in a healthcare,
- hospice or other palliative care
- environment. Proven experience of
- collaborative work alongside another
- healthcare professional.
- Experience of working with individuals
- from a diverse range of cultures and
- background.
- Experience of working with individuals
- of different ages.
- Experience of working with individuals
- who have experienced trauma and
- significant mental health difficulties.
Desirable
- Experience of line managing staff or
- volunteers.
- Experience of working with children with
- disabilities or medical conditions
- Experience of providing complementary
- therapies to those grieving
- Experience of service development and
- quality improvement.
- Experience of conducting
- assessments/consultations on a virtual
- platform.
- Experience of working within a
- safeguarding policy.
- Experience of facilitating therapeutic
- groups/events such as pamper days, or
- massage teaching sessions.
- Experience of using client databases.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Able to build good relationships with
- others (including staff,
- volunteers, children and families known
- to SSCH).
- Leads by example in professional
- conduct.
- Champions support and collaboration,
- promoting respect and inclusivity
- Upholds client confidentiality
- Organised, methodical and able to
- multi-task.
- Ability to recognise and manage ones
- own stress/wellbeing
Desirable
- Knowledge of relevant local and
- national services that support children
- with life-limiting conditions and their
- families, and those bereaved of a child.
- Awareness of relevant
- research concerning complementary
- therapies and childrens palliative care
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised qualification in holistic
- massage
- Recognised qualification in
- aromatherapy
- Registered with the Complementary and
- National Healthcare Council or other
- professional body (or willingness to apply
- and confirm mem
Desirable
- Recognised qualification in
- acupuncture, Indian head massage,
- reflexology
- Qualification in story massage and/or
- baby massage
Experience
Essential
- A minimum of two years post
- qualification experience as a
- Complementary Therapist practicing
- aromatherapy, holistic massage,
- reflexology, Indian head massage, or
- acupuncture.
- Experience of working in a healthcare,
- hospice or other palliative care
- environment. Proven experience of
- collaborative work alongside another
- healthcare professional.
- Experience of working with individuals
- from a diverse range of cultures and
- background.
- Experience of working with individuals
- of different ages.
- Experience of working with individuals
- who have experienced trauma and
- significant mental health difficulties.
Desirable
- Experience of line managing staff or
- volunteers.
- Experience of working with children with
- disabilities or medical conditions
- Experience of providing complementary
- therapies to those grieving
- Experience of service development and
- quality improvement.
- Experience of conducting
- assessments/consultations on a virtual
- platform.
- Experience of working within a
- safeguarding policy.
- Experience of facilitating therapeutic
- groups/events such as pamper days, or
- massage teaching sessions.
- Experience of using client databases.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Able to build good relationships with
- others (including staff,
- volunteers, children and families known
- to SSCH).
- Leads by example in professional
- conduct.
- Champions support and collaboration,
- promoting respect and inclusivity
- Upholds client confidentiality
- Organised, methodical and able to
- multi-task.
- Ability to recognise and manage ones
- own stress/wellbeing
Desirable
- Knowledge of relevant local and
- national services that support children
- with life-limiting conditions and their
- families, and those bereaved of a child.
- Awareness of relevant
- research concerning complementary
- therapies and childrens palliative care
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.
