Palliative Care Social Worker in Epsom

At Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, we value respect. We put respect at the heart of all we do, by living up to our shared behaviours of kindness, professionalism, positivity and teamwork. This enables us to provide great patient care and make ESTH a great place to work. We welcome applicants who share our values.

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Social Worker to join our hospital-based palliative care team. You will provide specialist psychosocial support to patients and their families living with serious or life-limiting illness, helping them navigate the emotional, social and practical challenges of their diagnosis.

You will undertake holistic assessments, provide counselling and emotional support, respond to complex family and safeguarding needs, and support patients with advance care planning, goals of care, discharge planning and end-of-life decisions. Working closely with the multidisciplinary team, you will help patients and families access appropriate hospice, community and other support services, and provide support through bereavement where required. This is a rewarding role for a compassionate, skilled Social Worker who is committed to delivering person-centred care and improving the experience and quality of life of patients and their families.

Main duties of the job:

• The Palliative Care Social Worker will be an integral member of the Specialist Palliative Care MDT, providing expert psychosocial support to patients and families living with serious or life-limiting illness.
• The post holder will undertake holistic psychosocial assessments, provide emotional and practical support, and help patients and families navigate complex issues including adjustment, grief, loss, end-of-life care and bereavement.
• They will advocate for patient and family wishes, support complex discharge and care planning, and facilitate access to appropriate health, social care, financial, community and bereavement services.
• The role will involve close multidisciplinary working across hospital and community services, contributing to family meetings, care planning and complex decision-making.
• The post holder will also provide advice and education to colleagues, contribute to safeguarding and clinical governance, and support service development and quality improvement.

Qualifications:

• Recognised professional qualification in Social Work.
• Current registration with the relevant professional regulatory body.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to social work practice.
• Postgraduate qualification in social work or palliative care; additional training in palliative care, end-of-life care, bereavement, counselling, oncology, or a related field.

Experience:

• Experience working as a qualified social worker within a health, hospital, community, hospice, or similarly complex setting.
• Experience undertaking comprehensive psychosocial assessments.
• Experience contributing to multidisciplinary assessment and care planning.
• Experience facilitating or contributing to complex family meetings and discussions regarding goals of care.
• Experience providing education, consultation, or supervision to colleagues.
• Experience supporting discharge planning and transitions between hospital, hospice, community, and social care services.

Knowledge:

• Good understanding of the psychosocial impact of serious and life-limiting illness on patients, families, and carers.
• Understanding of the principles of palliative and end-of-life care.
• Knowledge of relevant health, social care, community, hospice, and voluntary-sector resources.
• Knowledge of advance care planning and goals-of-care processes.
• Knowledge of approaches to supporting people experiencing complex grief or psychological distress.

Clinical and Professional Skills:

• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a complex caseload.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience delivering teaching or presentations to healthcare professionals.
• Experience facilitating family meetings.

Safeguarding and DBS Checks:

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. For roles with direct access to these groups, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. All staff are expected to understand and uphold their safeguarding responsibilities as part of their role.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.