Senior Social Worker - Children and Families

NHS; Esher; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS hospice seeks a Senior Social Worker to lead in supporting children and families facing terminal illness or bereavement. The role emphasizes developing therapeutic approaches, creating training programs, and engaging with various organizations to enhance supportive skills. Ideal candidates will possess extensive experience in social work, particularly with children, and hold relevant qualifications.

Qualifications

• Recognized qualification in Social Work required.
• Current registration as a Social Worker with the Health Professions Council.
• Experience working with children and young people in support/therapy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the provision and development of services for children facing parental terminal illness.
• Engage with families using therapeutic approaches before and after a death.
• Develop training and education programs for colleagues on child support.

Skills

Flexibility

Effective communication

Teaching and facilitation

Education

BA, BSc, MA in Social Work

Diploma in Social Work

Qualification in therapeutic work with children

Qualification in counseling or psychotherapy

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Accreditation

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Senior Social Worker - Children and Families

Please apply via our website - www.pah.org.uk/join

Is care at your core?

It is at ours. Here at Princess Alice Hospice, you'll have the opportunity to make a satisfying, rewarding difference to the lives of our patients, their families, and friends, and be supported every step of the way. We're small enough for you to see the impact of your social worker skills, and big enough to support you with training, experience, and opportunities.

Main duties of the job

About the role:

As a Senior Social Worker, you will take a lead role in delivering and developing our support for children, young people, and families facing terminal illness and bereavement.

Working directly with families before and after a death, you'll use therapeutic approaches to help children explore their feelings and adjust to change. You'll guide and support colleagues across the hospice, lead on child safeguarding, and contribute to policy development, group work, and the design and delivery of training.

The role also involves engaging with schools and other organizations to build their skills and confidence in supporting children through serious illness and loss.

About us

About us:

Princess Alice Hospice is one of the top ten adult hospices in the UK, providing specialist palliative care and support to a community of more than a million people living in Surrey, southwest London, and Middlesex.

In November 2022, we were rated as overall Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The secret to our rating is simple. The CQC team commented on our focus on each person's individual needs and the expressed view that staff went 'the extra mile' with empathy and compassion. It's about having time to build valued relationships with your patients and their loved ones.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will lead the provision and ongoing development of the hospice's services for children and young people where a parent is terminally ill or has died, using individual, family, and group work techniques. Contributing to the work of the hospice's multi-professional team, the post holder will enable colleagues to identify and respond to the needs of children and young people, and will lead on the development and delivery of the hospice's training and education programs related to supporting children and young people.

This position requires some evening, weekend, and bank holiday work on a regular basis.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Recognized qualification in Social Work (e.g., BA, BSc, MA in Social Work, Diploma in Social Work, Certificate of Qualification in Social Work, or in Counselling or Therapy at Diploma level or above)
• Current registration as a Social Worker with the Health Professions Council
• Qualification in therapeutic work with children
• Qualification in counseling or psychotherapy
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Accreditation
• Post-qualifying awards in Social Work
• Teaching or practice education qualifications
• Bachelor's (Honours) or Master's degree in a relevant discipline

Experience

• Experience working with children and young people in support and/or therapeutic roles
• Experience in social work with children, young people, and families, including child protection responsibilities
• Experience working as part of a multi-professional team
• Experience in statutory children and families services
• Experience working with children and young people facing parental illness or bereavement
• Experience working with terminally ill individuals and/or those facing bereavement

Particular Skills and Aptitudes

• Ability to work flexibly and creatively with children and young people
• Ability to teach and facilitate practice development among volunteers, students, and colleagues
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to travel independently
• Current UK driving license and access to a motor vehicle

Personal Qualities and Other Requirements

• Effective communication skills with children, young people, and parents
• Ability to develop effective working relationships within a multidisciplinary team
• Commitment to providing a culturally sensitive service
• Self-awareness regarding personal development needs
• Effective time management skills
• Ability to monitor and manage stress levels
• Flexibility and willingness to learn
• Alignment with the hospice's Mission, Vision, and Values

Specialist Knowledge

• Understanding of child protection legislation, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of theory and practice related to children and young people facing parental illness and bereavement
• Understanding of palliative care principles

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check due to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Salary: £49,000 to £56,000 per year, pro-rata, depending on experience, equivalent to AfC Band 7.