About this role
Job summary
St Catherines is seeking a qualified social worker to join its compassionate and creative Support Team within a highly regarded local charity. The team operates across all hospice clinical services, primarily providing a social work service to individuals and their carers on the in-patient unit.
From managing inpatient discharges to carer and bereavement support, the small and dedicated team is passionate about meeting the needs of the local community in a variety of different and creative ways all with the aim of supporting people with life-shortening conditions and their families to have the best possible quality of life, whatever their personal circumstances.
The principal function of the role is to provide a social work service and advocate on behalf of individuals and families, the majority of whom have complex health and social care needs. The team also co-ordinates spiritual care inclusive of remembrance services; run a volunteer-led befriending service; manage bereavement support and a counselling service; help plan on-going care and discharge from the in-patient unit; organises monthly carers and bereavement support meetings; and leads on safeguarding. It is an incredibly varied role; every day is different and one that immensely rewarding.
Main duties of the job
Management of a caseload of individuals with complex health and social care needs
Be responsible for monitoring own case work and managing the time available to deliver key aspects of the role, recognising own limitations and seeking support, informal/formal supervision and training from line manager as appropriate.
Receive referrals from members of the multi professional team at St Catherines Hospice and undertake specialist assessments inclusive of; wellbeing assessments, carers assessments, mental capacity / DoLs assessments, and contribute to continuing health care assessments with the aim of coordinating safe and timely discharges in conjunction with the Multi-Disciplinary Team
Provision of psychological and emotional support to individuals carers/ families including those who are living with grief and loss.
Provide support, advice, and information as required with debt, housing, wills, and funerals.
Liaise with hospice, hospital and community agencies both statutory and voluntary where appropriate for the benefit of individuals with life limiting conditions.
Attend and chair meetings as and when required e.g. multi-disciplinary, safeguarding strategy, case conferences.
Undertake befriending assessments and reviews of the service inclusive of support, supervise and management of volunteer befrienders
About us
Provide a social work service mainly within the inpatient unit to individuals with life shortening conditions inclusive of their carers/ families to ensure safe and timely discharges inclusive of emotional support and practical advice.
Enable individuals both in hospice and in the community who have complex health and social care needs to make informed choices and optimise their independence and well-being. Social work support is provided to individuals along with their carers/families to ensure services are tailored to meet individual needs.
The role includes promoting the principles of the Care Act including Safeguarding and the Mental Capacity Act in addition to discharge planning and varied support to carers, the bereaved and spiritual support.
Job description Job responsibilities
Social Worker
Job description
Department: Support Team
Location: St Catherines Hospice
Responsible to: Lead Social Worker
Salary: £36,435
Job Summary
Provide a social work service mainly within the inpatient unit to individuals with life shortening conditions inclusive of their carers/ families to ensure safe and timely discharges inclusive of emotional support and practical advice.
Enable individuals both in hospice and in the community who have complex health and social care needs to make informed choices and optimise their independence and well-being. Social work support is provided to individuals along with their carers/families to ensure services are tailored to meet individual needs.
The role includes promoting the principles of the Care Act including Safeguarding and the Mental Capacity Act in addition to discharge planning and varied support to carers, the bereaved and spiritual support.
Main Duties and responsibilities
Duties include:
Management of a caseload of individuals with complex health and social care needs
Be responsible for monitoring own case work and managing the time available to deliver key aspects of the role, recognising own limitations and seeking support, informal/formal supervision and training from line manager as appropriate.
Receive referrals from members of the multi professional team at St Catherines Hospice and undertake specialist assessments inclusive of; wellbeing assessments, carers assessments, mental capacity / DoLs assessments, and contribute to continuing health care assessments with the aim of coordinating safe and timely discharges in conjunction with the Multi-Disciplinary Team
Provision of psychological and emotional support to individuals carers/ families including those who are living with grief and loss.
Provide support, advice, and information as required with debt, housing, wills, and funerals.
Liaise with hospice, hospital and community agencies both statutory and voluntary where appropriate for the benefit of individuals with life limiting conditions.
Attend and chair meetings as and when required e.g. multi-disciplinary, safeguarding strategy, case conferences.
Undertake befriending assessments and reviews of the service inclusive of support, supervise and management of volunteer befrienders
Provide support to bereavement services both to individuals and in a group setting
Provide support to carers as individuals and in a group setting.
Provide advocacy on behalf of individuals, carers/families
Support and assist with spiritual care by liaising with religious and non-religious leaders, remembrance evenings, Christmas carol services and the annual Light up a Life event.
Participate in audit activity associated with the Support Team and other Hospice Services as requested.
Support the development of professional colleagues through collaborative practice.
Provide education and training on behalf of the hospice as required.
Optimise opportunities to provide mentorship, supervision and provide expert and evidence-based guidance to volunteers, students and colleagues.
Keep updated with research, legislation, social policy and professional practice for own personal development and to ensure better outcomes for the individuals, carers and families.
Maintain clear and accurate records; sharing and communicating with team members as appropriate and necessary.
Fully aware of and compliant with legislation relating to safeguarding adults.
Responsibility taken for own continued personal and professional development by actively participating in an annual appraisal and completing objectives within an agreed time frame.
Undertake other relevant duties and responsibilities appropriate to the level of the role.
Volunteers:
The Hospice has the advantage of being supported by a number of volunteers.
If a volunteer is assigned to assist you or your team at any time, you will retain responsibility for the requirements of this job in terms of accuracy, efficiency and standards of completion. You will also ensure good communication and be mindful of your responsibility towards that volunteer in terms of Health and Safety.
Confidentiality:
You should be aware of the confidential nature of the Hospice environment and/or your role. Any matters of a confidential nature, relating to patients, carers, relatives, staff or volunteers must not be divulged to any unauthorised person.
Data protection:
You should make yourself aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act and follow local codes of practice to ensure appropriate action is taken to safeguard confidential information.
Person Specification
Key Skills and Abilities Essential
Knowledge and understanding of life-limiting illnesses, loss and grief and its impact on individuals, carers, families and their social networks Ability to work with different IT systems and processes Ability to work independently and within a team Ability to work across Health and Social Care settings Well-developed coping strategies and stress management Ability to prioritise and manage work load effectively to ensure deadlines are met Knowledge of relevant health and social care legislation and practice guidance Working knowledge of basic state benefits/welfare rights Ability to demonstrate effective communication skills and ability when working with people with affected by life limiting illnesses including responses to grief and loss Knowledge of local resources, partner agencies and understanding of the role of Hospice in the wider community
Qualifications Essential
Current professional registration with Social Work England Recognised qualification in Social Work (Diploma or Degree) Evidence of post qualifying education or experience to demonstrate on going learning
Desirable
A counselling qualification Additional Safeguarding training Advanced communication skills training Palliative care qualification/course Bereavement study / qualification Practice Educator training
Experience Essential
Working with adults with life limiting illnesses Undertaking social care wellbeing assessments inclusive of reviews and risk assessments Promoting equal opportunities for people who have or are experiencing any disadvantage Providing direct psychological/emotional support to individuals, carers and families Working in a multi-disciplinary team Adult Safeguarding Using IT including word and excel and Microsoft Teams
Desirable
Working in an end of life care setting Provision of bereavement support Mental Capacity/DoLs assessments Childrens Safeguarding To contribute to training sessions both internal and external
Other Essential
Commitment to personal and professional development An understanding of and demonstrable commitment to the Hospices Values as a framework for decisions, actions and behaviours. Understanding and commitment to the aims of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Appreciation of confidentiality Flexible and proactive working approach
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name St Catherine’s Hospice
Address Lostock Lane
Lostock Hall
Preston
PR5 5XU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.stcatherines.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)