Change lives in a life-changing career
When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.
The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.
We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time
About the role
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Social Worker to support children and young people diagnosed with cancer in our Liverpool Team.
We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality support tailored to the needs of the children and young people and their families using a needs based assessment framework. The work we do is rewarding, but also complex and demanding. You will be part of a close-knit Young Lives vs Cancer social work team, working with an established NHS multi-disciplinary team and services in the community across Liverpool and Merseyside.
This role is part home, part site-based – within the parameters of our hybrid working arrangements you will work flexibly across home, Liverpool Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Your contractual base will be both Home and the Hospitals. Your flexibility requirements and that of the role will be discussed at the interview stage.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
This post is also subject to Social Worker Registration.
What will I be doing?
No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.
* You will work in partnership with families to provide in-person and remote support to children and young people (0-24 years) diagnosed with cancer, and their families.
* You will provide practical and emotional support to mitigate the impact of a cancer diagnosis and provide support during the cancer journey via expert, needs-led interventions.
* You and your team will work closely with colleagues across our local NHS multi-disciplinary teams and other professionals in the community.
* You will ensure the voice of young cancer patients and their families are included in your work at all opportunities and take an active role in amplifying their voices internally and externally.
* You will be an active team member, regularly attending team meetings and contributing to shared learning and development.
What do I need?
You will be committed to delivering high quality social work support to promote the best outcomes for the children, young people and families we work with. You will need to be resourceful and resilient. You will have a positive attitude and be willing to embrace difference. As part of the wider Young Lives vs Cancer Team, you will actively engage with the work of the charity and welcome opportunities to get involved.
You will have:
* A recognised Social Worker qualification and current registration with Social Work England / Scottish Social Services Council / Social Care Wales / Northern Ireland Social Care Council.
* Experience working with children, young people and their families/carers in a social care setting.
* Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment, ideally in an NHS setting.
* Sound knowledge of child and young people development.
* An understanding of the impact of serious illness for children, young people and their families.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
What will I gain?
For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:
* Flexible working: Young lives vs Cancer is open to and in support of flexible working, and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
* Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
* Generous annual leave allowance
* Great family/caring leave entitlements
* Enhanced pension
* Access to our employee savings scheme
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.
We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.
Accessibility
We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.