Bereavement Support Officer

NTH Solutions llp; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Tees is advertising a Bereavement Support Officer (BSO) to work within the Mortuary and Bereavement team at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. The post is 37.5 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday with potential changes as the service develops.

The role involves delivering compassionate bereavement services, guiding relatives through legal processes after death, arranging hospital funerals when required, and providing support to families and staff across

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above.
• NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in a related subject.
• Bereavement Support training (CRUSE or SANDS).
• Full UK manual driving licence.
• Knowledge of legal requirements and Trust Policies in relation to bereavement services.
• Understanding of computer systems and databases.

Responsibilities

• Provide bereavement support to relatives and guide them through the legal processes after death.
• Arrange hospital funerals as required and support viewing of the deceased.
• Engage tactfully and clearly with relatives, healthcare professionals, Coroners’ staff and registration services in a supportive manner.
• Work across North Tees and Hartlepool NHS facilities to meet service demand.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Education

GCSE English (grade 4+)

GCSE Maths (grade 4+)

NVQ Level 2 (related subject)

Bereavement Support training (CRUSE or SANDS)

Full UK manual driving licence

Job description

Find out about the current vacancies available at the Trust and take the next step in your career with us.

Site University Hospital of North Tees Town Stockton-on-Tees Salary £25,760 - £27,476 £25,760 - £27,476 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 30/09/2026 23:59

Job overview

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

**Previous applicants need not apply **

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.

Working for our organisation

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"

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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

Qualifications

• 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)
• NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in a related subject
• Full UK manual driving licence
• Bereavement Support training (CRUSE or SANDS)

Knowledge

• Knowledge of legal requirements and Trust Policies in relation to bereavement services.
• Understanding of computer systems and databases.

Experience

• Experience in Practical Bereavement Support
• Experience of dealing with members of the public
• Experience of practical issues relating to bereavement support within the NHS setting

Important - Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)

It is the policy of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay on commencement with the Trust. The DBs check will be undertaken during the pre-employment check screening.

Qualifications Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted. You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters – Probationary Period

For any new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).

Employment References

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested to ensure e-mail addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.

At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.

We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.

We are here to support you throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Disability

We are a Disability Confident Lead employer. This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless they have permission to work via another route. Non UK/RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here: Work in the UK - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk )

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a 'Skilled Worker' visa. If you are applying for health or social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

As a supporter of the Armed Forces and an employer of Reservists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly.

We recognise that reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to our workplace, developed through their military careers. Our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community has been recognised through the Armed Forces Covenant as a Silver Employer.

Further Important Information

Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method.

Please ensure you read the 'Guidance Notes for Applicants' document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application.

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within six weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.