At a Glance
- Tasks: Support bereaved families with compassion while managing cremation and burial services.
- Company: Enable, a charity focused on community wellbeing and support.
- Benefits: 30 days annual leave, life insurance, gym membership, and wellbeing activities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in your community during challenging times.
- Qualifications: Experience in administration and IT systems; empathy and resilience are key.
The predicted salary is between 30869 - 30869 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Bereavement Officer to join our Bereavement - Putney Vale team at Enable!
About Us: Enable is a charity dedicated to improving people's wellbeing and strengthening local communities. We work with councils, charities and other local organisations to deliver health, leisure, community services and events that enrich people's lives and strengthen our local community.
Benefits:
- 30 days of annual leave (plus 8 bank holidays)
- Life Insurance
- Reward Schemes (RewardHub Membership, wellbeing budgets and cycle to work)
- A variety of social and wellbeing activities each month
- Mental Health & Wellbeing Perks (Monthly talks, Wellbeing Hour, etc)
- Gym Membership
Reports to: Cemetery Manager
Based: Putney Vale Cemetery & Crematorium
Salary: 30,869 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Work Arrangement: 40 hours per week, Office based
Role Overview: The Bereavement Team are a small team of professionals based at Putney Vale or North East Surrey. The team manages two crematoria, three busy cemeteries and two closed cemeteries. The team pride themselves on their work showing professionalism, empathy and compassion through everything they do, positively supporting the community in times of need.
The Bereavement Officer's role is to participate in the provision of the efficient and effective running of our crematorium and cemeteries that are managed by Enable on behalf of Wandsworth Council, in accordance with the relevant statutory and local responsibilities and the codes of practice, covering administration and reception duties for all areas, ensuring services are delivered and mourners/visitors are dealt with in a caring and compassionate manner.
The role is predominantly based at Putney Vale Cemetery and Crematorium. The successful applicant will need to be available to work 5 days over 7, to accommodate services at the weekends and occasionally bank holidays and may need to travel to satellite cemeteries around Wandsworth and occasionally may be required to support North East Surrey Crematorium in-line with our contractual arrangements.
Reporting directly to the Cemeteries Manager, you will work as part of a team carrying out all duties as required within Bereavement services in a smooth, accurate, efficient and sensitive manner, meeting daily deadlines and targets for performance on a front-line service and to undertake any other duties as considered appropriate to the equivalent of grade. You need to be able to deal sensitively and efficiently with queries, service requests or complaints from the bereaved, funeral directors, clergy, stonemasons, contractors, internal/external staff and the public.
Main Duties/Responsibilities:
- Ensure the accurate review and processing of all statutory and non-statutory paperwork relating to bookings for cremations and burials, and memorial contracts using our in-house database, Microsoft 365 and manual processes
- Basic finance procedures, assisting the Finance department and utilising MS Excel and Sage Intacct
- Ensure all administration relating to the sale of memorialisation including the correct calculation of fees, placing of orders with suppliers and coordinating installation of memorials within allocated memorial grounds is carried out in a timely and efficient manner
- Ensure the accurate input and processing of all financial information relating to all cremation, burial and memorial bookings using the bereavement software system leading to the timely invoicing to all customers
- Act as point of contact for general enquiries or complaints from all stakeholders ensuring a good customer service is provided and enquiries are resolved in a sensitive, appropriate and timely manner, and escalated more complex matters appropriately
- Assist colleagues with other areas of the business, including chapel attending, and various types of interments
- Take part in One Enable. An amazing opportunity to give back to your community, working in and around Wandsworth at events that include the famous Battersea fireworks
- Undertake any other reasonable tasks within the scope of the role and grade
- Play an active role in successful delivery of company events including open days and charity activities
Skills and Experience:
Essential to role:
- Experience working with IT systems with windows, web applications including Office 365, Teams and Outlook, as well as other related software, including Sage Intacct
- Possess a high level of resilience, emotional stability and maturity with a commitment to achieving and maintaining standards of excellence and experience of delivering administrative support in a busy, front-facing and highly pressurised office environment
- Possesses effective interactive communication skills with the ability to deal with potentially difficult and sensitive situations in a professional and calm manner without compromising the needs and quality of the service. With an excellent level of English language both written and orally, able to present information clearly and concisely
- Able to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately and maintain confidentiality throughout that complies with GDPR requirements
- Attention to detail and methodical approach to work, ensuring completeness and accuracy
- Able to work as an effective team player, assisting and supporting other team members and help celebrate the success of the team and Enable as a whole
- Respects diversity and adopts a fair and inclusive approach with everyone
- Demonstrates the highest standards of personal conduct, honesty, integrity that inspires trust and confidence
- Able to travel and work to various satellite locations across Wandsworth to facilitate services within our cemeteries, as well as North East Surrey Crematorium
- Able to prioritise tasks according to need and urgency
- Undertake fire marshall training if required and execute related duties if needed
- Undertake first aid in the workplace training and provide first aid in the workplace as and when needed post-training and qualification
- To always be of smart appearance and wear provided uniform when required to
- Full UK driving license
Desirable to role:
- Experience working within the bereavement industry or similar environment such as care
- Be qualified to cremate or willing to work towards this
- Experience of chapel and burial duties
Enable is strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
Bereavement Officer at Enable employer: Enable
Enable is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, offering a supportive work environment where you can thrive as a Recruitment Consultant in the dynamic construction and engineering sectors. With generous benefits such as 25 days of holiday and private healthcare, alongside ample opportunities for professional development, you'll find a fulfilling career path that values your contributions and fosters meaningful relationships with clients.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bereavement Officer at Enable
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Enable.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Enable!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Enable, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Enable or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Bereavement Officer at Enable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Enable:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Enable! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Enable
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
