Job summary
Family & Bereavement Counsellor and Support Worker (part‑time, 18 hours per week, 3 days) – Helen House, Oxford.
Salary: HDH Band 5 £33,636 – £40,483 per annum (pro rata), depending on experience.
Closing date: 9th December 2025 at 12 noon. Interview: 17th December 2025.
About the role
This position fills a vacancy created by the retirement of our current post holder. You will provide emotional and psychological support to parents and grandparents of children with life‑limiting or life‑threatening illnesses, and to bereaved families up to two years following a child’s death. You will deliver care at levels 1‑2 of the Bereavement Network Europe Model, and refer clients to level 3 intervention where required.
Key responsibilities
• Provide education, emotional support and practical facilitation via the multidisciplinary team to parents of children referred to Helen & Douglas House for palliative and end‑of‑life care.
• Deliver bereavement support to families where the child has died at Helen & Douglas House, at home or in local hospitals, including sudden deaths.
• Work with GPs and mental‑health services to coordinate level 3 support for clients who need it.
• Conduct and facilitate peer‑to‑peer bereavement support groups.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of current research on child and adult bereavement.
• Provide clinical supervision in line with British Association of Psychology and Counselling standards.
Qualifications (Essential)
* Diploma in Counselling, Registered Mental Nurse or other relevant qualification with extensive experience.
* Willingness to obtain counselling registration if not already held.
* Current UK professional registration required.
* Valid driving licence and ability to travel to six surrounding counties.
Qualifications (Desirable)
* Degree level education.
* Experience working in the voluntary sector and statutory services.
* Experience with people with complex needs.
* Presentation skills for a variety of audiences.
Experience (Essential)
* Working therapeutically with bereaved parents beyond the time of death.
* Team‑player with experience in a multidisciplinary team.
* Independent working ability.
* Therapeutic interventions in grief work.
Experience (Desirable)
* Knowledge of voluntary and statutory services.
* Experience with complex needs populations.
Additional Criteria (Essential)
* Excellent listening, written and verbal communication skills.
* Group work skills.
* Time‑management and organisational skills.
* Proficient IT skills.
* Debriefing skills.
* Flexible working hours, including occasional weekends.
* Commitment to clinical supervision.
Additional Criteria (Desirable)
* Presentation skills for diverse audiences.
Additional information
– This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a Disclosure and Barring Service check is required.
– Applicants must hold current UK professional registration. For more information, see the NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Helen & Douglas House
14a Magdalen Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1RW
Website: https://www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Helen & Douglas House is an equal opportunities employer. We value a diverse workforce and encourage applications from all sections of the community. All staff and volunteers must undertak e a Disclosure and Barring Service check and are expected to uphold safeguarding and child protection commitments.
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