Social Worker
Job Description
Job summary
To deliver a high-quality palliative care social work service within all areas of the hospice. To work within the family support team across the areas of psychosocial support, welfare rights, carer support, day hospice, inpatient hospice, and bereavement services.
The post holder will have excellent communication skills and be able to use their own initiative whilst working as part of a multi professional team.
Main duties of the job
Key Areas of Responsibility:
- To perform all functions of the post to comply with St Davids Hospice Care policies, aims and guidelines.
- To assess and respond to the needs and circumstances of patients, families and carers.
- To provide support to bereaved relatives.
- To work closely with nursing/medical colleagues to co-ordinate discharge planning for patients from the inpatient hospice.
- Advocate for and with patients, families carers and support people to access services appropriate to their needs.
- To make and sustain links withexternal agencies relevant to the provision of palliative care at St Davids Hospice Care.
- To manage an individual caseload and associated administrative tasks in an efficient and effective way, using IT systems and software as appropriate.
- Manage and be accountable, with supervision and support, for own social work practice and maintain accurate and up to date records and files at all times.
- To set appropriate boundaries and disengage from work with service users and others in timely fashion.
- To be aware of and keep self updated on national, regional and local issues and plans relevant to palliative care and bereavement services.
- To promote and develop the role of the social worker within the organisation and beyond.
About us
St Davids Hospice is a charity providing high quality palliative care in and around Gwent. Our mission is to provide and continue to develop a free and comprehensive palliative care service of excellence throughout Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and within South and Mid Powys for people, their families and carers facing a progressive life-limiting illness which is no longer curable. This service recognises the need of the whole person and is given in co-operation with other agencies.
Working for St David's you will become part of a much wider team all working collaboratively to ensure the best care for our patients. Our mission is to provide and continue to develop a free and comprehensive palliative care service of excellence for people facing a progressive life-limiting illness which is no longer curable.
Job responsibilities
Additional Duties:
- To participate in the educational programme of teaching to the multi-professional teams and on external courses as needed.
- To mentor students.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification in social work e.g. CQSW, DipSW, Degree
- or Masters in SW or equivalent.
- Registered with The Care Council for Wales.
Desirable
- Post qualifying award in social work.
- Training in palliative care bereavement counselling, or
- willingness to develop skills needed.
- Practice Teaching and Assessing experience, or willingness to train.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a multi professional context.
- Good working knowledge of legislation and eligibility relevant to adult health and social care, safeguarding and capacity.
- To have sound knowledge of social work models and the ability to apply theory and put research to practice.
- An understanding of the physical and emotional needs relating to users of palliative care services.
Desirable
- Experience of working with adults with palliative illness.
- Experience of working with bereaved families.
- Experience of working with carers
- Willingness to teach as part of the St Davids education programme.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a multi professional context.
- Good working knowledge of legislation and eligibility relevant to adult health and social care, safeguarding and capacity.
- To have sound knowledge of social work models and the ability to apply theory and put research to practice.
- An understanding of the physical and emotional needs relating to users of palliative care services.
Desirable
- Experience of working with adults with palliative illness.
- Experience of working with bereaved families.
- Experience of working with carers
- Willingness to teach as part of the St Davids education programme.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent assessment and risk management skills.
- Ability to identify and communicate complex social issues and liaise at all levels.
- Ability to self-manage and able to work under own initiative.
- Ability to manage a busy workload across the community, day hospice and inpatient hospice.
- Ability to work proactively with individuals to promote their choices and wishes in order to achieve the best outcomes.
- Ability to understand and respect confidentiality
- Ability to develop effective and constructive working relationships within the organisation and with other agencies.
Desirable
- Ability to work in groups
- Ability to use information technology
- Understanding of welfare benefit entitlements
- Understanding of the position of a voluntary hospice organisation.
Qualities & Attributes
Essential
- Ability to provide compassionate, person centred support.
- Commitment to continually develop and update professional knowledge and development, and utilise supervision effectively.
- Have real enthusiasm and energy for the role, team and the objectives of St Davids Hospice Care and contribute positively to the organisation at all times.
- High standards of personal hygiene and appearance.
Desirable
- To be able to mentor and develop other members of the team (students, volunteers and unqualified staff).
- Willingness to contribute to the development of the service.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
St David's Hospice Care
Address
Blackett Avenue
Newport
NP20 6NH
United Kingdom
