At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a multi-disciplinary team to provide holistic palliative care and support to adults and families.
- Company: St Christopher’s, a leading organisation in high-quality care and support.
- Benefits: Inclusive workplace, opportunities for growth, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: We value diversity and are committed to being a Disability Confident Employer.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact in the lives of those facing serious illness and bereavement.
- Qualifications: Over 2 years' social work experience in the UK and understanding of health and social care systems.
The predicted salary is between 31504 - 40000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced social worker to join our multi-disciplinary team. You will work collaboratively with colleagues from various disciplines and professional backgrounds, to provide holistic palliative care to adults and their families. This role lends itself to working with people across the human lifespan and with varying care and support needs.
You will work with adults and their families, including children, to assess the impact and navigate the social aspect of serious illness, end of life care and bereavement. You will develop relationships with adults under the care of the hospice and their families, to assess unmet care and support needs. You will work in partnership with them to develop plans of support and ensure the implementation and review of such plans.
You will identify positive and potentially harmful risks to adults with palliative care needs, who are living in their own home or in other community settings. You will formulate strategies to either promote positive risk taking or mitigate harmful risks where appropriate. You will undertake mental capacity assessments and best interests decisions and work in partnership with other organisations from statutory and non-statutory settings. You will work within a clear framework of legislation, human rights and theories and be accountable for your own caseload with the support of a Senior social worker.
To succeed in this role:
- You will have over 2 years' post qualifying social work experience in the UK and will have worked in a statutory setting for this duration.
- You will have a good understanding of health and social care systems and boast sound wisdom of the legislative frameworks in place to safeguard both adults and children.
- You will be confident in liaising with statutory services and with professionals from various disciplines and levels of seniority.
- You will have had experience of working with loss and grief and have an understanding of the impact of living with life-limiting illness.
- You will be committed to upholding the rights of adults and children and to safeguarding those at most risk of harm.
- You will be confident in undertaking psychosocial assessments of need, risk assessments and mental capacity assessments with best interests decisions.
- You will be adaptable in your work and possess strong prioritisation skills.
- You will have proven expertise in problem-solving and be able to negotiate improved outcomes for people in need of professional support.
- You will have an aptitude for systemic practice and for working with competing and often conflicting needs.
To apply for this position:
Please complete an expression of interest by clicking the ‘Apply Online’ button. In your expression of interest, it is important that you include your qualifications, employment history, and explain how you meet the essential criteria within the person specification.
Why join St Christopher’s:
At St Christopher’s, our people make it possible for us to deliver high-quality care and support to patients, families and communities. This is an opportunity to make a genuine organisational impact by helping to create the conditions in which staff and volunteers can thrive. We are committed to being an inclusive organisation that values diversity, positive challenge and different perspectives. Our values are Collaborative, Empowering, Expert, Inclusive and Innovative, and we welcome applications from people who share our commitment to making a difference.
Disability confident employer:
As a Disability Confident Employer we have committed to:
- Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
- Communicate and promote vacancies
- Offer an interview to disabled people
- Anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as required
- Support any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work
- At least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker in London
✨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 St Christopher’s Hospice.
✨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 St Christopher’s Hospice!
✨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 St Christopher’s Hospice, 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 St Christopher’s Hospice 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 Social Worker in London
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 St Christopher’s Hospice:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to St Christopher’s Hospice! 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 St Christopher’s Hospice
✨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.
