At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide compassionate support to patients and families in a community setting.
- Company: Join St Michael's Hospice, a supportive and caring environment in beautiful Herefordshire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, NHS pension options, generous study leave, and employee counselling services.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and professional development in a dynamic hospice setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working with a diverse team.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in complex environments and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
We are looking for an experienced and qualified Social Worker to join our friendly Supportive Care team. Reporting to the Social Work Lead, you will be a key member of the multi‑professional team collectively responsible for planning and delivering responsive, compassionate, efficient and effective support. Working primarily in our Community Services, you will be providing direct psychosocial support to patients, families, carers and children (including bereavement support) considering cultural, spiritual, psychological, social and financial issues. You will also provide advice and support for the wider hospice team around responding to safeguarding issues within palliative care.
Main duties of the job:
- You will also be responsible for an Assistant Social Worker, including all aspects of line management such as appraisals, clinical supervisions, allocation of work, CPD and absence management.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
- Proven ability to manage your own caseload and work autonomously with support from colleagues is essential.
- The right candidate will be fully qualified and have an up to date Social Work England registration.
- A need for confidentiality is key due to the sensitive nature of this role.
- This post is conditional to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.
About us:
St Michael's Hospice is nestled in the stunning Herefordshire countryside, in a state‑of‑the‑art facility. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, a transferrable NHS pension or you can enrol onto our own Hospice pension. We offer Life Assurance, a superb working environment and facility, generous study leave allowance, discounts with local suppliers, individualised training needs analysis, advanced communication skills training, employee counselling service, free tea and opportunities for family and group work with patients, adult carers, children and adolescents (alongside HOPE).
Responsibilities include:
- Work with external community agencies and resources to promote support services for palliative care patients and families.
- Contribute to grant applications for social and psychological care services and projects as required.
- Liaise with continuing healthcare professionals about patients' funding review and undertake these assessments when required.
- Liaison and collaboration with external health and social care agencies, schools and colleges (alongside HOPE) to develop more proactive, multi‑disciplinary supportive palliative care service provision throughout the County of Herefordshire.
- Initiate and facilitate referrals to external providers where appropriate to optimise the use and development of resources available in the community.
- Assist in the collation of user feedback and undertake needs analysis, research and audit to inform service development as required.
- Assist in educating and supporting the Hospice at Home MDT in the development and application of legislative policies and procedures e.g. DOLS and Safeguarding.
- Progress integration of the specialist supportive care model into true multi‑disciplinary working pre‑ and post‑bereavement within Hospice practice (community patient, out‑patient, day‑patient and in‑patient services) to enhance patient and carer experience.
- Operate as part of an expert social work resource within the Hospice at Home team.
- Work alongside the wider multidisciplinary team in promoting the Rehabilitative Palliative Care approach enabling people to live fully until they die.
- Attend Supportive Care team meetings, Community MDT, and MND MDT.
Experience:
- Social work experience in complex environments with responsibility for managing your own caseload.
- Experience of working with grief, loss, death and bereavement, welfare benefits, children, adolescents, family work, group work, volunteers, students on placement.
Qualifications:
- Qualified social worker, CQSW, DIPSW degree or equivalent.
- Professional registration with Social Work England.
- Possession of a full UK driving licence, be over 21 and have held a full licence for 12 months.
- Post‑qualification award in social work, preferably in palliative care.
- Membership of APCSW.
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.
Equal Opportunities Statement:
At St Michaels Hospice we are committed to an equal opportunities approach in everything we do. This means that we seek to ensure anyone connected with St Michaels, from patients and families through to donors, supporters, volunteers and staff are treated fairly, appropriately and with dignity and respect.
Social Worker (Community Services) employer: St Michael’s Hospice
St Michael's Hospice is an exceptional employer located in the picturesque Herefordshire countryside, offering a supportive and compassionate work environment for Social Workers. With a focus on employee growth through tailored training opportunities, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package including a transferrable NHS pension, this role provides meaningful engagement with diverse patient needs while fostering collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team. Join us to make a real difference in the lives of patients and their families in a state-of-the-art facility that prioritises well-being and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (Community Services)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission, especially in community services and palliative care. Show them you're not just another candidate, but someone who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a social worker, you'll need to convey complex ideas clearly and compassionately. Role-play common interview questions with a friend or family member to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker (Community Services)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. We want to see how your skills in managing complex caseloads and providing compassionate support fit into our community services.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since excellent communication is key for this role, don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've effectively communicated with patients, families, and colleagues. We love seeing real-life scenarios that demonstrate your interpersonal skills!
Highlight Your Qualifications:Be upfront about your qualifications and registration with Social Work England. We’re looking for someone fully qualified, so make sure this info stands out in your application!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Michael’s Hospice
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of social work practices, especially in palliative care. Familiarise yourself with the key issues surrounding grief, loss, and bereavement, as well as the specific needs of diverse communities. This will show that you're not just qualified, but also genuinely passionate about the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is a must for this position, prepare to demonstrate your interpersonal skills during the interview. Think of examples where you've effectively communicated with patients, families, or colleagues, especially in sensitive situations. Role-playing these scenarios can help you articulate your approach.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations you might face in the role. Prepare by thinking through how you would handle complex cases or safeguarding issues. This will not only highlight your problem-solving skills but also your ability to work autonomously while seeking support when needed.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how they measure success in the role. This shows your interest in the position and helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your values and career goals.
