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Starting salary - £25,801 per annum (FTE £43,003) with room to develop and progress through the pay grade banding to £29,191 (FTE £48,653) on a competency based framework.

Within the Social Work team at Keech we have an exciting opportunity for a qualified adult social worker to join us with existing post qualification experience, and a desire to develop specialist palliative care experience working within a multi-agency hospice team.The role specialises in working with adults and their loved ones with a palliative illness, at any stage from diagnosis, through to end of life care. Using your specialist Social Work skills and knowledge, you will be supporting people to deal with the impact of what is happening to them, including themes of loss and bereavement, and promoting and supporting their choice and control in life and in death. You will be supporting patients both admitted to the hospice in-patient unit and those in the community. You will bring your Social Work expertise and perspective to support with managing of complex safeguarding, mental capacity and best interests to a multi-agency team to ensure that our patients and their loved ones are able to access to the individualised and holistic support they need.Keech have a strong value base and we work as a team to develop services to meet the needs of patients and their loved ones.

What We're Looking For:

Recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England

Experience or knowledge of palliative care or working with those with complex health condition and care needs

Ability to work effectively in emotionally challenging situationsExcellent assessment and communication skills

Knowledge of relevant legislation and ability to apply to role

What we offer:

A competitive salary and generous annual leave.

Ability to carry over your existing NHS pension scheme.Healthcare scheme.

Free car parking and cycle to work scheme.

Career development and progression opportunities.

A caring, supportive and inclusive environment.

If you need assistance with completing an application form please e-mail recruitment@keech.org.uk. Please also get in touch to arrange an informal discussion about the role.Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure and barring services check (DBS).We are an equal opportunities employer and particularly welcome applications from minority groups.

Interview date: 29th & 31st October 2025

Keech Hospice provides free specialist palliative and end of life care for people of all ages. We support adults in Bedfordshire. Children and their families in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Milton Keynes. At home, in hospice, or wherever were needed.As a teaching hospice, our exceptional people, training, and facilities are helping local communities to live and die well.

Responsible to:Lead Social Worker

Job Purpose:As a hospice, we support patients and their loved ones who require specialist palliative or end-of-life care, across Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes and Hertfordshire. We support babies, children, young adults and adults. Whilst you will be primarily working with adult patients, their families and carers, there is the expectation for you to support and cover our childrens services where needed, especially in relation to safeguarding.As a palliative care social worker, you will work as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team across our in-patient unit and community settings to support and enhance best practice in palliative and end-of-life care for patients and their loved ones.

Specific Duties: You will demonstrate independent autonomous skilled social work practice to assess, plan and implement social work interventions and support for palliative and end-of-life care patients and their loved ones. This will include both practical and emotional support in relation to the needs that arise as the result of a palliative diagnosis.To apply advanced Social Work assessment skills to input into holistic assessment of patients, their families and carers alongside clinical colleagues.To actively participate in consultant led board rounds, in-patient and out-patient internal and external meetings.To be able to lead on safeguarding concerns and risk management including holding internal safeguarding multi-disciplinary meetings and liaising as required with local authority statutory services and other partner agencies.To support and co-ordinate patient discharges from hospice including applications for both social care and continuing health care fast track packages of care, liaising with the appropriate agencies.To be an advocate for patient choice and self-determination in the context of patient care and wishes for the end of their life. Balancing this with identifying any specific vulnerabilities which may require additional support or intervention in line with relevant legislation including The Care Act (2014) and The Mental Capacity Act (2005).Where a patient is unable to make their own decisions, you will lead on, advise and support clinical colleagues with patient care decision making in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act and its key principles, including identifying the need, and applying for authorisation under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, where appropriate.To understand the ethnic, cultural and religious influences relevant to the patient, carer or loved one and how these may affect their experience of receiving palliative and end of life care, and to provide an appropriate service delivery.To provide expert advice and guidance to social work and clinical colleagues within the teams, being visible and accessible, and motivating to continuously improve quality of care and standards of practice.To support the lead social worker in strengthening and developing the wider social work team agenda throughout Keech Hospice adult and childrens services, through a contribution to education and training.To engage in practice-based research as required and keep up to date with current developments within palliative care social work. Promoting relevant research and use of evidence-based practice within the multidisciplinary team.To keep accurate and clear records of all contacts and interventions at all times.To take advantage of professional supervision.On-going reflection and identification of own personal development needs through completion of individual performance review, maintaining and adhering to Social Work England registration and standards.Provide coaching and mentorship to junior team members.Support the hospice as a learning environment for clinical students. To be a mentor for social work students and facilitate their placements at Keech Hospice.

Duties in common with other members of staff:To report accidents and incidents without delay, according to policyTo be an ambassador for the charityTo maintain the best appearance of your immediate working areaTo demonstrate a positive and supportive attitude to staff and volunteersRespect confidentiality applying to all Hospice areasAbide by your Professional Code of ConductTo adhere to the Infection Control Policies and Procedures set by the charity and the Care Quality CommissionTo promote the safeguarding and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adultsTraining and EducationTo be responsible for liaison with your line manager regarding your own development needs

Health and Safety To adhere to Fire and Health and Safety regulations and maintain a safe working environment at all times

Policies and Procedures To take responsibility for being up to date with current policies and procedures and to adhere to these

Equal Opportunities To treat everyone with whom you have contact through your work with equal dignity and respect regardless of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, disability, age, or any other factor that could be used in a discriminatory mannerThe above job description is not an exhaustive list of all the duties of the post holder. It will be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder.

• Recognised Social Work Qualification
• Registration with Social Work England
• Counselling qualification

• Minimum 3 years post-qualification Social Work experience.
• Experience or knowledge of palliative care or working with people who have complex health conditions / disabilities and care needs.
• Knowledge of current legislation and experience of its application relevant to the role, including The Care Act (2014) Mental Capacity Act (2005) and other relevant legislative frameworks.
• Excellent assessment skills of need / risk.
• Excellent understanding and experience leading on issues relating to Safeguarding and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, including a clear understanding of the responsibilities of both statutory and non-statutory services in this area.
• Support and or / Supervision of social work students on placement.
• Understanding and experience of multi-disciplinary team working.
• Ability to work effectively in emotionally challenging situations / environments
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Experience of Social Work in a palliative care setting.
• Experience of teaching/training
• Working with children and young people.

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.