North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Bereavement Support Officer

The closing date is 06 August 2025

Job summary

*Advert will close early once sufficient number of applications is reached*

A vacancy exists for a Bereavement Support Officer (BSO) to work within the Mortuary and Bereavement team at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

We are looking for an enthusiastic person with good interpersonal and communication skills.

Previous experience in dealing with bereaved people or working in situations where there has been a high empathy factor is required.

The post is 37.5 hours per week. At present these hours are worked in office hours Monday to Friday , although this may be subject to change as the service develops.

Main duties of the job

This post is pivotal in ensuring a professional, compassionate, and high-quality service for relatives of the deceased is delivered in accordance with national legislation and Trust policy.

Bereavement Support Officers offer practical advice after death to relatives/friends of the deceased. They support bereaved relatives and guide them with the legal processes following a death, arrange hospital funerals as required and support friends/relatives during viewing of the deceased.

As a direct point of contact for relatives, healthcare professionals, Coroners' staff, Medical Examiner staff and registration services, the post holder will be expected to have the ability to engage tactfully but clearly in a supportive and caring manner.

Although based at North Tees, the role may require working across both hospital sites to meet service demand.

The role is varied and can be emotionally challenging at times however full support is offered.

About us

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust now form University Hospitals Tees and as such you may be required to work at any site across both Trusts.

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, we want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience.

We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We recruit for values and "Together we are North Tees & Hartlepool"

Details

Date posted

23 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

345-MED7320652

Job locations

University Hospital of North Tees

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full job description , profile supplement and person specification attached to this vacancy

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full job description , profile supplement and person specification attached to this vacancy

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE at grade 4 or above in English Language, or Key Skills at level 2 in Literacy (or equivalent)
  • GCSE at grade 4 or above in Mathematics, or Key Skills at level 2 in numeracy (or equivalent)
  • oNVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in a related subject

Desirable

  • oFull UK manual driving licence
  • oBereavement Support training (CRUSE or SANDS)

Knowledge

Essential

  • oKnowledge of legal requirements and Trust Policies in relation to bereavement services.

Desirable

  • oUnderstanding of computer systems and databases.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in Practical Bereavement Support
  • Experience of dealing with members of the public

Desirable

  • Experience of practical issues relating to bereavement support within the NHS setting
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE at grade 4 or above in English Language, or Key Skills at level 2 in Literacy (or equivalent)
  • GCSE at grade 4 or above in Mathematics, or Key Skills at level 2 in numeracy (or equivalent)
  • oNVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in a related subject

Desirable

  • oFull UK manual driving licence
  • oBereavement Support training (CRUSE or SANDS)

Knowledge

Essential

  • oKnowledge of legal requirements and Trust Policies in relation to bereavement services.

Desirable

  • oUnderstanding of computer systems and databases.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in Practical Bereavement Support
  • Experience of dealing with members of the public

Desirable

  • Experience of practical issues relating to bereavement support within the NHS setting

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital of North Tees

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Employer's website

https://www.nth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital of North Tees

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Employer's website

https://www.nth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Mortuary and Bereavement Service Manager

Neil Wdowikowski

neil.wdowikowski1@nhs.net

01642624347

Details

Date posted

23 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

345-MED7320652

Job locations

University Hospital of North Tees

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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