Carer

Happy, amazing, special and fun are perhaps not the first words that spring to mind when you think of a children\’s hospice but this is exactly how our families describe our hospices. Matched by our staff feeling proud, rewarded and making a difference by working in this special setting, this is perhaps a quite a different nurse role to what you might have expected.

Do you have experience in caring for children with life-limiting conditions, complex needs or chronic illnesses? Are you looking for a carer role that gives space and time to build personal relationships with the children and young adults you care for? Do you want to work in team environment but know you are directly helping to make a difference?

If so, this incredibly fulfilling role is for you. A position where you can directly support putting children and families at the centre of all we do and directly help make the most of short and precious lives.

At Children\’s Hospice South West we provide respite, palliative and bereavement care for children living with life-limiting conditions. Our small, experienced care teams work on a one-to-one basis, having the time to build very special relationships and the unique opportunity to help families create lasting memories whilst they are at the hospice and between visits..

Main duties of the job

The children and young people you will care for have very complex health needs, enabling you to not only develop your skills but there is also plenty of time for lots of fun! In fact, we encourage it – such as splashing and laughing in our hydrotherapy pool, playing ball games in the soft play, being creative in messy play, helping the children experience the wonders of the sensory room and going on fun days out

Hours are worked on rotating shifts (up to 12.5 hours) including nights, weekends and bank holidays, with enhancements for night, weekend and bank holiday working. Although we are unable to provide fixed shifts, we aim to be as flexible as possible in shift patterns to enable staff to have a good work/life balance.

Working as part of a friendly team, Little Bridge House offers a beautiful, homely, well equipped workplace within a supportive environment where you will be recognised as a valuable individual member of the care team.

To arrange an informal chat or visit to Little Bridge House, please give our HR Team a call on 01271 325270.

About us

Benefits of working at CHSW include:

33 days (plus bank holidays) holiday entitlement, which increases with service

Enhanced sick pay scheme rising up to 6 months full and 6 months half pay

personal pension scheme with 7% employer contribution

family friendly policies, with enhanced maternity/adoption pay

occupational health, wellbeing and counselling services and employee assistance programme

training and development opportunities

environmental and green agenda

a supportive and inclusive environment

This fantasticopportunity will give you the chance to explore the wonders of the South West, whether you are already located here, you are a returner or looking for a different way of life; the South West offers a high quality of life and great leisure opportunities. These environmental attractions are matched by the excellent reputation of the highly successful Childrens Hospice South West (CHSW) as an organisation and local employer.

Job responsibilities

Tocreate a homely and welcoming environment in which families feel nurtured andrested. To provide friendship and care,(including physical, emotional, social and spiritual care) to the sick childand their immediate and extended family.To work flexibly alongside the families, supporting them in the mannerthat they choose.

Todevelop a supportive relationship as a professional friend to named childrenand their families, keeping in touch with them between visits to the hospiceand maintaining close liaison with other practitioners and agencies involved intheir care.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification in childrens healthcare, social care or play/education.
• Previous experience working with children with life limiting or life threatening conditions and their families.
• Knowledge and understanding of the needs of children with life limiting conditions and their families and effective responses to these needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of loss and bereavement in childhood.
• Experience of working with children and families facing loss / bereavement.

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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