Job summary
We are looking for a Families and Carers Lead to contribute to the strategic objective of developing our support for carers and families. Working in collaboration with the Bereavement & Spiritual Care Team and Compassionate Neighbours, to develop and expand pre-bereavement and bereavement support.
This is an exciting opportunity to develop and grow our service delivery working with an experienced team in a multi-disciplinary environment and develop and deliver innovative programmes.
Main duties of the job
You will have experience of frontline service delivery in a similar area and ideally will have a current or previous relevant professional qualification in counselling, social work, clinical background or relevant lived experience. Ability to communicate effectively and be well organised and computer literate. Experience of managing people and mitigating risk, as well as the aptitude to manage allocated resource. Knowledge of legislation and understanding of national policy within the context of public health and end of life care.
You will feel comfortable liaising with a variety of people in a compassionate and considered manner. Ideally, you will have previous administration or secretarial experience and you are looking for a role where you can add value and make a significant contribution to the lives of others. If you are a dynamic and organised person who shares our values, and are looking for a new role in a supportive and inclusive environment, we would love to hear from you!
About us
Our team of specialist nurses, doctors, therapists, social workers and bereavement volunteers work at our Hospice in Esher, and with families at home. They are all experts in end of life care who put compassion and respect at the heart of everything they do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To ensure available support iscommunicated with and accessed by patients carers.
Work with colleagues across the organisation to clarityand effectively communicate our support offer to families and carers.
Receive referrals from Hospice at Home and Wellbeing andassess the particular needs of those carers referred and address their needs asappropriate (by referral to Wellbeing programmes, holding own caseload ofclients with particular needs, offering support delivered by volunteers
Work with the Communications Team to ensure information aboutour services are communicated effectively to carers.
Manage and build effective working relationships with allclients held in own caseload
Support volunteers delivering carers support (ManShed,Compassionate Neighbours, volunteer listeners).
To develop new programmes,appropriate to the particularities of carers experience and their specialisedneeds.
In collaboration with Hospice at Home, Wellbeing, othercolleagues, and service users, review existing programmes to ensure they areappropriate to carers needs.
Chair and lead on relevant groups and projects, ensuringreporting back as required.
Identify gaps in existing services and develop new services thataddress service gaps, with a focus on ensuring support to all communities thatshould be accessing hospice services.
In collaboration with colleagues, develop and monitor avolunteer led Listening Service to provide carers with ongoing emotionalsupport.
To advocate for carers to ensure (i) that they understand andcan access available statuary support and (ii) that the particularities oftheir experience and needs are understood Hospice staff .
Network among and build effective working relationships withrelevant carers groups and organisations, Richmond Carers, KingstonCarers Network, Carers Trust, Carers UK, Action for Carers Surrey, YoungCarers.
Establish relationships with wider health and social carenetwork and identify opportunities to advocate on behalf of carers and familiesto ensure they are considered throughout the care systems, and particularlywithin palliative care.
Remain up to date with statutory service provision and relevantlegislation applicable to carers and be an available resource to ensurecolleagues are kept updated with relevant information.
Other Responsibilities
Take part in supervision, appraisal and team meetings andundertake training appropriate to the post.
Undertake any other such duties or general tasks and hours ofwork as may reasonably be required and work in other locations within theHospice organisation.
Lead by example, exemplifying the Hospice values and behaviours Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence.
Person Specification
Experience
Desirable
1. Previous frontline service delivery experience in health, counselling or social care.
2. Lived experience as an unpaid carer or work in a carer specific role/organisation
3. Experience of managing paid staff.
4. Experience of managing volunteers.
5. Experience of growing a service and/or managing change.
6. Experience of working in a Hospice or palliative care environment.
Qualifications
Essential
7. Good standard of general education
8. Current professional qualification and appropriate registration/accreditation in one of the following disciplines: counselling, social work, clinical background or relevant lived experience
Particular Skills and Aptitude
Desirable
9. Communication skills: Able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing with colleagues at all levels as well as external partners.
10. Understanding of carers experience: Able to demonstrate awareness of the emotional, physical, and practical challenges faced by carers, particularly in relation to caring for someone at the end-of-life, together with an appreciation of carers role within the wider health and social care system, recognising them as experts by experience.
11. Risk management: Able to identify, manage and mitigate operational risks and issues.
12. Managerial skills: strong management skills and a commitment to developing individuals and teams.
13. Resource management: Able to manage allocated resources effectively and prioritise in order to deliver performance and value for money.
14. Team Leadership: Able to lead a team, building and maintaining effective working relationships in a multidisciplinary environment and across health care boundaries.
15. Organisational skills: Be well-organised, computer literate and positively engage with digital technology.
16. Organisational context: Knowledge and understanding of the legislative and policy context within which the service operates and the strategic issues facing the Hospice.
17. Understanding of the national policy context for a public health approach to end of life care.