Bereavement Support Practitioner

NHS; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Wakefield is seeking a Bereavement Support Practitioner. This role involves supporting children and young people dealing with grief and working collaboratively with families. You will deliver interventions, strengthen community support networks, and raise awareness of bereavement resources. The position requires empathy, resilience, and a minimum of one year of experience in this field.

Benefits

27 days holiday + bank holidays

Life assurance at 2 x basic salary

Competitive contributory pension scheme

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Excellent learning & development opportunities

Qualifications

• At least one year of post qualification experience working with children, young people and families.
• Strong understanding of loss, grief and emotional wellbeing issues.
• Experience of delivering health or wellbeing advice and support.

Responsibilities

• Support children and young people who are experiencing grief.
• Deliver group interventions, community activities, and workshops.
• Coordinate local bereavement networks to strengthen community connections.

Skills

Empathy

Understanding of grief

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

BTEC higher diploma or foundation degree in relevant field

Job description

When children and families are at their lowest, will you be the one to walk beside them and help them find hope?

We are looking for a Bereavement Support Practitioner to join our Wakefield service. In this role, you will support children and young people who are experiencing grief, including those facing multiple or complex loss. You will also work alongside adults and care givers, helping them to build the knowledge, confidence and capacity to provide the right support at the right time.

Your work will include delivering group interventions, community activities and workshops, as well as coordinating local bereavement networks. You will play a key part in strengthening community connections, raising awareness of bereavement support, and ensuring that every child and young person has access to compassionate and effective help.

This is not just about a job description, it is about you. It is your skills, your empathy and your resilience that will bring comfort and hope to children and families in their darkest times. The difference you make will be lasting and life changing, reaching not only children and young people but also families and communities who need it most.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for someone who combines professional expertise with genuine empathy for children, young people and families to feel supported regarding bereavement.

To thrive in this role, you will need:

• A strong understanding of loss, grief and emotional wellbeing issues that affect children, young people and their families
• At least one year of post qualification experience working with children, young people and families
• A good understanding of child development and behaviours
• Experience of delivering health or wellbeing advice and support to children, young people and families

It would be great if you also bring experience of community engagement or group facilitation, but above all we are looking for someone who is values led, resilient and, most importantly, compassionate.

If you are ready to use your skills and heart to stand beside children and families in their darkest times and help them find a way forward, this could be the role where you truly make a difference.

About us

Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Established for over 30 years, Compass is a national charity which works in communities across the UK providing services spanning substance misuse treatment and rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school-aged health programmes and associated prevention as well as treatment and health promotion initiatives.

All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks.

We positively encourage applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation, and encourage applications from people who have experiences in life which enrich skills and empathy. This is part of our commitment to equality and developing a truly inclusive and representative workforce.

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.

We offer a range of benefits including:

• 27 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 32 days over time (pro rata)
• Life assurance at 2 x basic salary
• Competitive contributory pension scheme
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and OH service
• Excellent learning & development opportunities and career progression
• Annual performance/salary review

Help us to make a positive change to the lives of children and young people!

Job responsibilities

When children and families are at their lowest, will you be the one to walk beside them and help them find hope?

We are looking for a Bereavement Support Practitioner to join our Wakefield service. In this role, you will support children and young people who are experiencing grief, including those facing multiple or complex loss. You will also work alongside adults and care givers, helping them to build the knowledge, confidence and capacity to provide the right support at the right time.

Your work will include delivering group interventions, community activities and workshops, as well as coordinating local bereavement networks. You will play a key part in strengthening community connections, raising awareness of bereavement support, and ensuring that every child and young person has access to compassionate and effective help.

This is not just about a job description, it is about you. It is your skills, your empathy and your resilience that will bring comfort and hope to children and families in their darkest times. The difference you make will be lasting and life changing, reaching not only children and young people but also families and communities who need it most.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BTEC higher diploma or foundation degree in relevant field or equivalent skills/knowledge and experience

Experience

• Understanding of loss, grief and emotional wellbeing issues that affect children, young people and their families
• Child development and understanding behaviours
• Safeguarding children and adults guidance and legislation
• Confidentiality, consent and mental capacity
• Data Protection guidance and legislation
• Minimum of one year of post qualification experience of working with children, young people and families
• Delivery of health/wellbeing advice and support to children, young people and their families

Additional Criteria

• Ability to learn in a variety of settings and using a variety of learning methods
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Access to own transport or evidence of ability to commute efficiently between community venues.
• Experience of working in an education settings

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.