Job summary
We are seeking a compassionate and proactive Social Support Worker to join our Critical Care Psychosocial team on a fixed-term basis, working directly with patients and their families to understand and address their unique needs. Working closely with a dedicated team of Psychiatry, Psychology, Social Work, and Admin professionals, you will support patients and their families across our Denmark Hill site (primary location) and the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH).Key qualities for success include strong communication skills, empathy, adaptability, and the ability to work independently. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, apply today to become part of our impactful team.
Main duties of the job
As a Social Support Worker in the Critical Care Psychosocial Team, you'll provide vital support to patients and families at King's College Hospital. Key duties include assessing referrals, triaging cases, and responding to urgent situations. Through regular communication, you'll offer emotional and practical support, including crisis intervention and bereavement care. Working with families, you'll help develop subsistence plans and connect them to external resources like housing, financial aid, and employment services.
You will foster relationships with community and charitable organizations to extend additional support and encourage patients' engagement with local services. Additionally, you'll facilitate communication between patients and families, sometimes through technology, to maintain connections during extended inpatient stays.
Beyond direct support, you'll contribute to service improvement by gathering qualitative data, attending multidisciplinary meetings, and helping with training for new critical care staff. Managing your caseload independently, you'll keep accurate records, engage in professional development, and participate in team evaluations, demonstrating the impact of this vital service on patient and family well-being.
If you're adaptable, empathetic, and committed to meaningful care, we encourage you to apply.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To take an active role in the Psychosocial Teams duty system at Kings College Hospital and the PRUH,ensuring new referrals are triaged and prioritised and being flexible in responding to any urgent situations To communicate frequently with patients and family members so as to be able to identify their needs andattend to them accordingly, including bereavement support To work with individuals and their families in the development of subsistence plans to support those whomare displaced and in need of emergency support To foster relationships with third sector organisations and link patients and their families into appropriatecharitable organisations where appropriate To work with local accommodation partners, to develop pathways for families to access accommodationand other appropriate services that are local to our hospital site To support in the assessment of housing, financial and employment matters for patients and their familieswhom require the oversight of a support worker
Job description
Job responsibilities
To take an active role in the Psychosocial Teams duty system at Kings College Hospital and the PRUH,ensuring new referrals are triaged and prioritised and being flexible in responding to any urgent situations To communicate frequently with patients and family members so as to be able to identify their needs andattend to them accordingly, including bereavement support To work with individuals and their families in the development of subsistence plans to support those whomare displaced and in need of emergency support To foster relationships with third sector organisations and link patients and their families into appropriatecharitable organisations where appropriate To work with local accommodation partners, to develop pathways for families to access accommodationand other appropriate services that are local to our hospital site To support in the assessment of housing, financial and employment matters for patients and their familieswhom require the oversight of a support worker
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Professional qualification at bachelor's degree level in Health and Social Care or related field
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Registered professional e.g. AHP, Qualified Nurse or Social Worker
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in highly stressful environments within a Health or Social Care settings
- Experience in the referral pathways and processes within Adult and Children's Social Care
- Significant experience in working with adults, families and children experience emotional distress conflict or loss
- Experience of working with MDT that consist of a variety of professionals
- Experience of getting to know people individually and ensuring their needs are met in a way that is caring, kind and respectful
- Experience in the field of advocacy and able to develop credibility with internal and external stakeholders and build sound working relationships
Desirable
- Project evaluation experience - including surveys, questionnaires , data collection and analysis
- Direct experience of working within a Critical Care environment
Skills and competencies
Essential
- Able to demonstrate experience of working with patients and families whom are receiving highly specialist medical care
- Ability to present complex information to professional groups in a variety of mediums
- Ability to build impactful relationships in crisis situations
- Expert knowledge on systems related to housing, employment and benefits.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Professional qualification at bachelor's degree level in Health and Social Care or related field
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Registered professional e.g. AHP, Qualified Nurse or Social Worker
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in highly stressful environments within a Health or Social Care settings
- Experience in the referral pathways and processes within Adult and Children's Social Care
- Significant experience in working with adults, families and children experience emotional distress conflict or loss
- Experience of working with MDT that consist of a variety of professionals
- Experience of getting to know people individually and ensuring their needs are met in a way that is caring, kind and respectful
- Experience in the field of advocacy and able to develop credibility with internal and external stakeholders and build sound working relationships
Desirable
- Project evaluation experience - including surveys, questionnaires , data collection and analysis
- Direct experience of working within a Critical Care environment
Skills and competencies
Essential
- Able to demonstrate experience of working with patients and families whom are receiving highly specialist medical care
- Ability to present complex information to professional groups in a variety of mediums
- Ability to build impactful relationships in crisis situations
- Expert knowledge on systems related to housing, employment and benefits.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
