About this role
Job summary
Were seeking a compassionate and skilled Bereavement Lead to coordinate and deliver highquality bereavement support for patients, families, and carers. Youll ensure people receive the right level of support in line with NICE guidance, carrying out assessments and providing structured onetoone and group interventions for those experiencing complex grief or psychological distress.
Closing date - 11th June 2026
Interview - w/c 22nd June 2026
Main duties of the job
A key part of this role is leading our counselling and volunteer team recruiting, training, supervising, and supporting them to deliver safe, personcentred care.
Applicants should possess a Level 4 Diploma in Counselling or equivalent and registered membership of BACP or another recognised professional body and hold a qualification or training in Clinical Supervision. Applicants should have a minimum of 3 years postregistration experience as a qualified counsellor in a specialist role, experience working within palliative, endoflife, and bereavement care with adults and families and leading therapeutic group work.
St. Michaels Hospice is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be required to undergo relevant background checks, including a DBS check and provide satisfactory reference before starting the role.
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
About us
St. Michaels Hospice is a registered charity providing specialist palliative and end of life care services since 1992, for the people of North Hampshire. We are dedicated to providing care to people throughout North Hampshire who are affected by life limiting illness to attain the highest possible quality of life by providing a choice of specialist care and support.
As a charity, we depend on the kindness and support of our local community to continue offering our services free of charge. This care is made possible by supporters donating, taking part in fundraising events and activities, playing our lottery, shopping in our retail outlets, leaving gifts in their Wills or giving freely of their time to volunteer.
We offer a competitive salary with attractive benefits, including, free parking, life assurance, 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and an extensive health and wellbeing plan and company pension.
Job description Job responsibilities
As Bereavement Lead at St. Michaels Hospice (SMH) you will be responsible for coordinating bereavement support services for patients who have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness and families who are anticipating bereavement or have been bereaved.
In line with NICE guidance, the post holder will assess the needs of people referred to the service and allocate to the appropriate level of support.
The role also includes maintaining a small caseload, providing structured individual and group counselling/support for people experiencing significant psychological issues, secondary to grief or bereavement.
The post holder will recruit, train, line manage and supervise counsellors and bereavement support volunteers working for the service, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure effective delivery of this service.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Coordination
Complete assessments for clients referred to the Bereavement Service and allocate clients according to need and appropriate level of qualification/experience within the team.
Ensure that all procedures, working practices and volunteers adhere to SMH codes of practice, the codes of ethics of relevant professional bodies such as the BACP, the Bereavement Care Service Standards and Care Quality Commission regulations.
Gather feedback and evaluation data to develop the service and the support provided.
Adhere to SMH policies and procedures when dealing with suicide risk assessment, safeguarding issues, governance issues and complaints.
Undertake regular and frequent evaluation and monitoring of the Service to ensure it is meeting desired outcomes and the needs of those being referred.
Work in collaboration with the wider Family Support Team.
Clinical
Provide one-to-one counselling for patients, carers and bereaved relatives with more complex anticipatory grief or bereavement needs.
Assess referred clients as per referral process. This will include robust assessment of suicide risk and appropriate response.
As per initial assessment, allocate clients to appropriate Bereavement Support Volunteers.
Provide mandatory supervision to the Bereavement Support Volunteers in regular groups and individually as required.
Complete regular reviews of service provision and need in order to develop and implement for further bereavement support groups if there identified gaps in service.
Ensure clients are aware of other, existing SMH, patient and family support services for which they are eligible.
Work with the multidisciplinary team to identify patient and family members who may be at risk of harm and follow-up those where concerns are reported/raised.
Provide clinical consultation to other health and social care professionals at SMH on aspects of bereavement and bereavement support.
Management & Leadership
Provide line management to counsellors working in the team, including yearly appraisals, sickness and performance reviews if required.
Participate in the implementation, auditing and review of policies, procedures, and systems for delivery of an effective Bereavement Service.
Ensure adherence to Data Protection policies.
Maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and ensure report writing is maintained on all patient and family interventions as per SMH policy and regulatory guidance.
Ensure that knowledge about clients is maintained in the strictest confidence and is not divulged except to professionals where it would assist with the treatment and care, or protection of the individual.
Ensure the collation and management of activity, performance indicator and quality outcome information and data, in partnership with Service Lead and Data Manager.
Contribute to the further development of all SMH services.
Communication & Strategy
Communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner to patients and families, information relating to the assessment, management plan and review / outcome of the planned interventions.
Contribute to multidisciplinary discussions about complex patient and family care management.
Promote a multidisciplinary team working ethos and approach to the provision of support within the Bereavement Service and wider Patient and Family Support Service.
Education
Maintain own professional development and registration in counselling.
Attend and complete mandatory training, as required.
Facilitate and participate in staff and volunteer education in relation to grief, bereavement and psychological well-being as required by SMH.
Share knowledge and expertise with other members of the SMH clinical team and wider health and social care community through formal and informal teaching.
Clinical Governance
Contribute and participate in audit and clinical governance activities to ensure continuous service and care quality improvement.
Ensure any incidents, near misses and complaints from patients, carers, families, and others are reported and managed sensitively, effectively and in accordance with SMH policies and procedures.
Research and Practice Development
Promote evidence- based care.
Actively encourage the initiation of audit/ research activities. Help ensure audit/service evaluation projects are strategically linked to service development needs and priorities.
Participate, as appropriate, in any relevant national/local research initiatives in which SMH may be involved.
Professional
Maintain professional registration.
Ensure compliance with all SMH policies, procedures, health and safety and other mandatory requirements.
Ensure provision and participation in activities designed to improve clinical practice i.e., clinical supervision, reflective practice, debrief.
Positively participate in annual appraisals and individual performance reviews.
Be responsible for developing self-awareness through reflective practice, demonstrating a commitment to disseminating information and sharing experiences.
Contribute to a climate where team members openly discuss and challenge standards of individual practice and where decision making can be ratified as a team.
Take responsibility for day-to-day monitoring of risks, incidents, accidents and near misses in order to minimise risk to patients, families, carers, visitors, and staff.
Practice and promote client confidentiality at all times.
Demonstrate efficient time management and a flexible attitude to working patterns.
Work within the limits of your own competency and responsibility and refer areas that are outside of your competency to your line manager.
Treat everyone with respect and dignity.
Respect and support all colleagues.
Maintain a professional, friendly, and positive influence.
General responsibilities
Work to maintain the values, vision and aims of St. Michaels Hospice.
Additional Duties In discussion with the Patient and Family Support Lead undertake work, as and when required, in support of St. Michaels Hospice as an organisation.
Public Relations Represent St. Michaels Hospice in the community and public domain as appropriate.
Undertake all statutory and mandatory training, as required.
Be conversant with and adhere to St. Michaels Hospice Policies and Procedures.
This is an outline job description and may be subject to change, according to the needs of the service, in consultation with the post holder.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time, due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
General Responsibilities
Work to maintain the values, vision and aims of St. Michaels Hospice.
Additional Duties In discussion with the line manager to undertake work, as and when required, in support of St. Michaels Hospice as an organisation.
Public Relations To represent St. Michaels Hospice in the community and public domain, including social media, appropriately.
Undertake all statutory and mandatory training, as required.
To be conversant with and adhere to all St. Michaels Hospice Policies and Procedures.
Be responsible for upholding and promoting St. Michaels Hospice safeguarding policies, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals, and promptly reporting any concerns or incidents in accordance with established procedures.
This is an outline job description and may be subject to change, according to the needs of the service, in consultation with the post holder.
Take responsibility for own personal safety and of others whilst at work. You will take appropriate action or report any concerns to address any health and safety issues that you or members of your team may be aware of.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time, due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
Person Specification
Attitude, aptitudes, personal characteristics Essential
Ability to deal with complex patient needs and difficult situations. Able to work independently and as part of a team. Flexible and adaptable. Able to recognise own limitations.
Skills, Knowledge, Abilities Essential
Ability to apply a variety of counselling models appropriate to patients and families with complex needs. Qualification/training in Clinical Supervision. Ability to communicate effectively with people from a range of different backgrounds, either verbally or written. Able to document highly sensitive clinical information. Able to effectively priorities, manage own time and caseload. IT literate. Able to teach and present formally and informally Good listening skills
Desirable
Previous experience of audit, service improvement projects Experience of using Electronic Patient Record (EPR)
Qualifications Essential
Qualification in Counselling at Level 4 diploma or equivalent Registered member of BACP or equivalent member of recognised body Qualification / Training in Clinical Supervision Continued Professional Development
Desirable
Qualification in counselling at Level 5 diploma or equivalent
Experience Essential
3 years post registration experience working as a qualified counsellor in a specialist role. Working within palliative, end of life and bereavement care with adults and families. Leading therapeutic group work. Working with a wide variety of client groups. Awareness of safeguarding procedures and working with vulnerable adults Teaching, training and providing professional and clinical supervision
Desirable
Working with a range of patient conditions seen in palliative care such as motor neurone disease, types of cancer, respiratory, coronary disease etc. Managing volunteers
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 Michael's Hospice (North Hampshire)
Address Basil de Ferranti House
Aldermaston Road
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG24 9NB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.stmichaelshospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)