Caseworker, Newcastle - Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne

To deliver the Day One Casework bedside model to patients, or those closest to them, impacted by serious or multiple injuries which could result in life changing consequences such as disability or death, within the Royal Victoria Infirmary, providing support on some of the wards (such as rehabilitation), on-site clinics and other settings (e.g. rehabilitation centres). Have a visible physical presence within the Trust, becoming embedded into clinical teams focussing on major trauma pathways, facilitating outpatient and in-person legal clinics.

To work closely with those impacted by serious and life‑changing injury, taking referrals and carrying out initial assessments of need, expertly navigating, signposting and putting services in place in the immediate aftermath of major trauma, including talking about and facilitating timely access to legal support to aid rehabilitation. To establish and develop relationships with key stakeholders to promote Day One and address the needs of those affected by serious and life‑changing injury. To work as part of the wider Day One Service’s team and organisation, taking responsibility for own record keeping and data collection in line with regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Work closely, and in partnership, with NHS clinical staff and relevant community and voluntary sector organisations, to address the needs of patients, and those closest to them, affected by serious and life‑changing injury.
• Operate a case management approach to individuals, assessing and identifying needs, putting support in place including signposting, making referrals and direct support.
• Provide consistency in assessment of all patients and their loved ones, irrespective of injury cause, age, status, giving access to the earliest possible specialist legal advice which supports rehabilitation and NHS cost recovery.
• Maintain detailed case records, including accurate records of activity and intervention, using Day One’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, capturing and storing data in line with Day One policies and procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Contributing towards report writing through the writing case studies and narrative to support data collection.
• Implement processes and procedures to collect patient and family feedback and contribute to ongoing monitoring and evaluation of Day One services through providing relevant information, case studies and reports.
• Deliver awareness raising presentations to clinical colleagues and departments.
• Organise and facilitate outpatient and in person legal clinic drop‑in sessions.
• Build awareness of the role and charity’s purpose through building strong and effective relationships across the regional major trauma network, ensuring those who need it have access to Day One support.
• Work closely with local authority, statutory and voluntary organisations to provide patient and family support and advocacy.
• Help establish other support mechanisms once a person is no longer within the hospital setting, supporting the patient discharge process in conjunction with leadership from NHS staff.
• Identify and support the recruitment and supervision of Day One volunteers, where appropriate.
• Work closely in partnership with our Peer Support Service, focussed on promoting awareness and uptake within the region.
• Work closely with the wider team on performance, quality, safety and effectiveness of all services, ensuring appropriate safeguarding policies are followed.
• Work closely with our Fundraising and Communications team, supporting national activity, as well as regional initiatives to raise awareness and fundraise.
• Be prepared to travel across the region and, on occasion, to other sites and national meetings as required.
• Willingness to undertake continuous development and training for the role, including mandatory Day One and NHS Trust specific training.
• Participate in external clinical supervision and monthly caseworker reflective practice sessions to effectively explore and uphold professional boundaries within a safe, structured and supportive environment.