Palliative Care Social Worker
Job Description
Job summary
Are you a compassionate, skilled, and experienced Social Worker looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in peoples lives? Join our Family Support Team at Prospect Hospice, where we provide holistic support for patients, families, and carers navigating the emotional and practical challenges of life-limiting illnesses.
In this rewarding role, you will make a positive difference to peoples lives. We are looking for passionate people that embody our values. Our people are excellent and specialist at what they do, our people are what makes the hospice a great place to work. In our latest staff survey 100% of staff said they would be happy with the standard of care provided if a friend or relative needed treatment and 98% find the work they do has meaning and purpose.
Hours: 22.5 hours per week (days to be negotiated/discussed)
Main duties of the job
What is the role?
As a Social Worker, you will manage a caseload, working directly with patients, families, and carers to provide coordinated family and bereavement support services of the highest standard. The role involves delivering holistic care that addresses emotional, practical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs, both in the hospice and in patients homes. You will play a pivotal part in empowering patients and their families to navigate life-limiting illnesses, offering advocacy, practical planning, and childrens advice while ensuring equitable access to care and well-being. Pre and post-bereavement care will also be a central component of your work, supporting families through these challenging transitions.
Collaboration is key in this multidisciplinary role, requiring strong relationships with the care team, statutory services, and partner agencies to ensure seamless transitions for patients and their families. You will also mentor and support staff, volunteers, and students in social care practices, contributing to service development through training, research, and quality improvement. By safeguarding patient welfare and enhancing the expertise of the team, you will help maintain the organizations commitment to providing expert care and unwavering support, enabling patients and their loved ones to live as fully and comfortably as possible.
About us
Prospect Hospice is an independent hospice supporting a community of 300,000 people in Swindon, Marlborough and North Wiltshire, and the villages of Lechlade and Fairford in Gloucestershire.
It is the only dedicated provider of specialist end of life care services within it's locality. The Hospices multi-professionals teams support people in the community, in care homes, at the Great Western Hospital and at the Hospice in Wroughton. Care is also extended to the families and friends of patients.
Job responsibilities
About you
- Recognised Social Work Qualification or equivalent (eg DipSW, CQSQ, CSS).
- Palliative care experience.
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
- Experience in adult social work, or relevant experience of working with adults and children at risk in similar service areas.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships and engage successfully with staff, volunteers, patients, their families and carers.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, processes and procedures.
- Full UK driving licence and the access to a vehicle to be able to travel across throughout our community in Swindon, North Wiltshire, and into Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
It would also be great if you have
- A keen interest to develop this area of expertise.
- Palliative care qualification (desirable).
- Relevant experience of working with children at risk or in child protection.
- Training qualification or experience in delivering training.
- Mentoring skills.
Whats it like it to work here?
I enjoy having the opportunity to work in a truly person centered way, having the time to spend with an individual working towards their own personal goals, and trying to achieve what is important to them.
Dorinda, MND Specialist Practitioner
I love working for an organisation where the social work role is appreciated and respected, and especially value working within a highly specialist MDT where everyone feels equal having a strong voice and position.
David, Palliative Care Social worker and Safeguarding Lead
We offer a great range of benefits, including
- 27 days annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (rising with length of service).
- Membership of the NHS pension scheme is available for existing members.
- Generous contributory pension scheme for all other staff.
- A commitment to supporting your professional development.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders.
- Supportive induction.
- Training and development.
- Free parking.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 22nd January 2025
Informal visits or calls are encouraged and welcome, please contact Jaqui Gullis, Clinical Lead on 01793 813355.
If you are ready to bring your skills and compassion to a supportive and dynamic hospice team, wed love to hear from you.
Equality & Diversity
Prospect Hospice is committed to encouraging a diverse and inclusive working environment. We recognise that promoting diversity and eliminating discrimination in our workplace will bring benefits for our people, our business and the communities we serve. We therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community.
We are committed to ensuring that all employees and job applicants are provided with equality of opportunity in employment and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, offending background, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we support. As part of our SAFER recruitment process, offers of employment will be subject to thorough checks, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, online and social media checks and verification of qualifications. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
We will review applications as they come in and therefore we may close the vacancy before the closing date. Candidates are therefore advised to apply early.
Prospect Hospice does not hold a Home Office Sponsor Licence under the UK Immigration System, therefore candidates are required to have eligibility to live and work in the UK prior to applying.
Prospect Hospice is an independent hospice supporting a community of 300,000 people in Swindon, Marlborough and North Wiltshire, and the villages of Lechlade and Fairford in Gloucestershire. It is the only dedicated provider of specialist end of life care services within its locality. The Hospices multi-professionals teams support people in the community, in care homes, at the Great Western Hospital and at the Hospice in Wroughton. Care is also extended to the families and friends of patients.
To find out more or to apply please visit our website www.prospect-hospice.netjobs
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of relevant voluntary and statutory agencies and their perspectives relating to palliative care.
- Robust knowledge of current legislation relevant to role including NHS & CCA- MCA/DOLS/Carers legislation etc.
- social work experience of direct work with individuals and families.
- Understanding and experience of multi-disciplinary team working.
- Experience in working within the Mental Capacity Act, and other relevant legislative frameworks.
- Experience and confidence gained in safeguarding work.
- Experience and confidence in supervising social workers and other professional staff.
- Experience in, and willingness to, supervise social work student placements.
- Experience gained in working with adults. Experience of working with children and families.
- Experience of specialist social work input to and chairing of case conferences.
- Experience of providing specialist social work advice and support to the multi professional team.
- Supporting events for bereaved families.
- Delivery of education and training events. ...
