Cancer Support Specialist Family Support Reports to: Family Support Service Coordinator Hours: 25 hours per week Location:Belfast, Down and Ards area (on occasion across Northern Ireland) Campaign Service/Cause:Therapeutic Services Remuneration:£32,643 - £34,666 pro-rata (FTE 35 hours) Overall Purpose of Post The postholder will assist the Family Support Service Coordinator in providing a professional family support service for families throughout Northern Ireland who have been affected by a diagnosis of cancer. The family support team offer guidance, emotional support and group work when an adult in the family has received a cancer diagnosis. An individual member of the family might benefit from one-to-one support or the entire family can have a space to be together and share their feelings. The postholder will deliver the service at the family home, outreach locations and Cancer Focus NI office base. The service also engages with Cancer Focus NIs wider therapeutic teams to respond to the individual needs of local families. Key Responsibilities To assist with the development and delivery of Cancer Focus NIs family support service within Northern Ireland To assess the needs of families referred to the service and develop and implement appropriate care plans and therapeutic interventions in consultation with the family To refer families to other services as appropriate To facilitate groups as required, such as, Family Night, Bereavement Groups, Parent Groups, Teen Groups etc To assist the Family Support Service Coordinator in the development of appropriate resources for families and health care professionals To liaise with other members of statutory health care or social care teams involved with the family To assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the family support service through regular review and audit To participate in and contribute to educational programmes for other health professionals, organisations and agencies as appropriate To exercise autonomous professional responsibility based on the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics of the post holders professional body To attend regular external professional supervision To participate in ongoing training and continuous professional development To participate in meetings with funders or potential funders or assist at fundraising events if appropriate To maintain high standards of administration including the use of a database systems for recording, including client and family record keeping and statistics To assist the Family Support Service Coordinator in ensuring high levels of service user engagement in the planning, development and delivery of the Family Service To assist the Family Support Service Coordinator in the development and implementation of the Young Peoples parliament and engagement programmes To comply with Cancer Focus NI policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Confidentiality of Information, Child Protection, Vulnerable Adults and Record Keeping. This Job Description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the charity at any time after discussion with the post holder. This post may require some evening work, so an element of flexible working is required. Person Specification The below specification shows the essential skills, abilities, knowledge and/or qualifications required to be able to carry out the duties of this post. Therefore, please address in a covering letter, each criterion listed in the specification, drawing upon all of your experience, whether at work of on a voluntary basis. Essential Criteria Qualifications A recognised qualification in nursing; social work; family therapy; counselling; art therapy; play therapy or a creative therapy registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Experience At least 2 years post qualification experience working as a registered practitioner Evidence of two years experience working with families and children Experience of working in the Voluntary or Health and Social Care sector or equivalent Experience of working with and facilitating therapeutic groups Evidence of creativity and innovation whilst working on projects involving families and children. Skills Excellent interpersonal skills Ability to manage a large workload with competing priorities Ability to show initiative To be IT proficient including in the use of spreadsheets and databases. Personal Qualities Enthusiasm, drive and commitment to continuous improvement and learning Able to work independently when required whilst also contributing collaboratively and effectively as part of a team. Other Applicants will hold a full, current driving license and have access to the use of a car or some other appropriate form of transport to carry out the duties of the post. Desirable Criteria Qualifications Educated to degree level Relevant Training Qualification. Experience Experience of working within the cancer sector demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the needs of cancer patients and their families Experience of developing and providing training days and programmes Able to demonstrate experience of service evaluation and monitoring systems and procedures. Additional Information Terms and Conditions of Employment Successful applicants must provide proof of their right to work in the UK. (This will be evidenced in the first instance by being in possession of a British or Irish passport or a valid UK Work Permit). The activities of this role meet the Access NI definition of regulated activity relating to working with adults and children as outlined in the Access NI Code of Practice. Cancer Focus NI will obtain an Access NI Enhanced Adult Barred List check, and/or Enhanced Childrens Barred List check for the successful candidate. Applicants who have a criminal record will be treated fairly and not discriminated automatically because of a conviction or other information revealed. Applicants with criminal records will be reviewed in line with Cancer Focus Northern Irelands policy on the recruitment of Ex-offenders. If there is any reason you cannot work in Regulated Activity, you must disclose this to us. Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has a written policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure information. Satisfactory reference checks. 6 months probationary period. Evidence of relevant academic and professional qualifications. Evidence of appropriate vehicle documentation (i.e. driving licence and insurance cover) must be provided where the role necessitates travel on company business in own vehicle. Benefits Flexible working policy 25 days Annual Leave, plus 12 statutory days (pro rata for those working less than 35 hrs per week) 2 additional days of annual leave after 5 years service and a further 3 days after 10 years service Enhanced Maternity / Adoption Pay Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay Scheme Contributory Pension Scheme Cycle to Work Scheme Mileage Allowance at the prevailing HMRC rate Life Assurance Healthcare Plan Disability Cancer Focus NI is an Equal Opportunities Employer and all applications are dealt with in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act. A person is disabled if they have, or have had, a physical or mental impairment which has, or has had, a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities. If you consider yourself to have a disability relevant to the position for which you are applying, please contact us so that we can process your application fairly, make any specific arrangements for your interview, and make any necessary reasonable adjustments or adaptations, or provide any aids to assist you in completing the duties of the post if appointed. Equal Opportunities Cancer Focus NI is an Equal Opportunities Employer and all applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit. Application Process The closing date/time for submission of CV and cover letter is 5.00pm, 14th September 2026. Interview dates: w/c 28th September 2026. If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV and cover letter before this date/time to: or, mailed to: Human Resources, 6th Floor Montgomery House, 29-33 Montgomery Street, Belfast, BT1 4NX We cannot accept applications received after the closing date/time. Guidance Notes on Applying for our role Please ensure your CV is up-to-date and accurate. Cancer Focus NI will not make assumptions from the title of your post(s) or the nature of any employing organisation(s) as to your skills and experience gained. If you do not provide sufficient detail, including the appropriate dates needed to meet any eligibility criteria, your application may be rejected. ONLY the details provided by you in your CV and cover letter will be used for determining your eligibility for the post/shortlisting purposes. Skills: Social Work Family Therapy Counselling Art Therapy Play Therapy Creative Therapy Nursing Benefits: Flexible Working Policy Pension Life Assurance 25 days annual leave, plus 12 statutory days Healthcare Plan Cycle Scheme TOIL TPBN1_NI
Contact Details:
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland Recruitment Team
