Starting salary - £15,679.80 per annum (FTE £26,133) with room to develop and progress through the pay grade banding to £16,885.80 (FTE £28,143) on a competency based framework.
Within the Social Work team at Keech, we have an exciting opportunity for a childrens social work assistant to join us, to work alongside our qualified childrens social worker to provide specialist support, information and advice to the children and their families who are known to Keech.As part of the wider Keech Social Work team you will be helping to provide a range of psychosocial support, advocacy, and connection to appropriate resources to help families navigate the physical, emotional, social, and financial challenges of a life limiting illness.This will include direct work with families, and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, both internally and across wider health and social care settings.Keech have a strong value base, and we work as a team to develop services to meet the individual needs of patients and their families.We are motivated to ensure equity, diversity and inclusion for patients, their loved ones and all those that work with us.
Main duties of the job
What We're Looking For:
Experience of working in a health/social care environment
Understanding of the role of a hospice and issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children
Excellent listening & communication skills with ability to show empathy
Understanding of palliative care and psycho/social model of care
What we offer:
A competitive salary and generous annual leave.
Ability to carry over your existing NHS pension 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
About us
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.
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose:To assist and actively participate with the Childrens Social Worker in providing practical and emotional support to families of children known to Keech Hospice.
Specific Duties: To accept referrals and day to day work tasks from the childrens social worker and lead social worker.Support patients, their families and carers to access information, advice and appropriate services to meet their individual needs.Advocate for patients and carers within direct work and communication with a range of internal and external multi-disciplinary professionals.Direct work assessing needs and risk and/or providing emotional support for patients and family carers. This work can take place in the community, in familys homes or on site.To adhere to the safeguarding policy and procedures and contribute as necessary to internal safeguarding MDT meetings.To represent the organisation at any required social work led external meetings.To manage your own workload with the support of your line manager ensuring good practice and personal integrity at all times, given the confidential and personal nature of the issues raised inherently in the role.Maintaining confidentiality and good professional practice with both internal and external colleagues.To keep up to date with confidential records on all cases, in line with organisational standards.To be competent in using computers and have computer literacy skills able to support the role. To be able to complete basic administration duties.To utilise training opportunities and to be personallyresponsible for growth within the role and developing skills in line with organisational and role changes as required.To seek and accept regular supervision both formal and informal from the childrens social worker and lead social worker.
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 adults
Training 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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* General good education, GCSE or equivalent in English language and Maths (grade a- c)
* Further education / qualification in health / social care.
Experience
* Experience of working in a health/social care environment: AFC band 3 or equivalent
* Experience of working as a patients advocate
* Ability to deal with difficult emotional situations
* Experience of using a database
Additional Criteria
* Understanding of the role of the hospice
* Basic understanding of palliative care and loss and bereavement
* Basic understanding of psycho/social model of care
* Understanding of the issues relating to the safeguarding of vulnerable children
* Role of a multidisciplinary team
* Understands the important of respecting confidentiality
* Computer literate and willingness to learn new package
* Excellent listening and communication skills
* Excellent telephone skills
* Effective organisational skills
* Ability to work within a team
* Ability to show empathy and understand the difficulties faced by patients and families
* Recognises own limitations and has self-awareness and reflective skills
* Good analytical skills
* Understanding of community health and social care organisations
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
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