Social Work Assistant

The Social Work Assistant will be a member of the Hospices Psychological Support Services, working with the wider multidisciplinary team and external partner agencies.

Main duties of the job:

• The principal responsibility of the Social Work Assistant is to support the Specialist Palliative Care Social Worker (SPCSW) in providing social, psychological and practical help to patients and their families, including adults, young people and children both at the Hospice and in the patients' own home if required.
• To assist the SPCSW in supporting patients and those important to them, through social work approaches, offering appropriate advice and guidance.
• To provide psychological and emotional support to the patients and family members, including adults, young people and children.
• To work with other members of the Hospice Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to arrange discharges from the Hospice.
• To carry out routine visits and enquiries relating to patient care and care of the family.
• To access community‑based services as they relate to the patient, their families and the bereaved.
• To liaise with the relevant PLACE‑based partnership within the ICS as needed to ensure that patient care needs are met appropriately and individualised.
• To liaise with other members of the Hospice staff on matters related to social care.
• To attend allocation meetings within the Psychological Support Services Team and accept referrals from the Inpatient Unit/ Community Palliative Care Team in agreement with the SPCSW.
• To maintain accurate patient records on the EPR (EMIS) and to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• To participate in team meetings and individual supervision as required and to adapt the work and the role of the Social Work Assistant in accordance with new legislation and welfare benefits developments.
• To liaise with external agencies both statutory and voluntary on behalf of patients and their families, and children where there are issues of concern regarding their care and welfare.
• To contribute to the Hospice teaching programmes as appropriate with regard to training and experiential learning.
• To undertake duties which may be reasonably requested by the SPCSW or the Clinical Director.

Qualifications:

• Experience of working with adults and families, preferably in a healthcare setting.
• Excellent communication skills with particular emphasis on listening and sharing information.
• Excellent inter‑personal skills.
• Experience of working with patients at end of life.
• Knowledge of statutory benefits including those applicable to palliative care.
• Car driver, to carry out routine home visits.
• English and Maths qualification.
• Ability to work in a timely manner, with attention to detail.
• Ability to keep accurate records to include writing letters, emails and liaising with external partners.
• Basic knowledge of current welfare system and any changes in legislation, including The Health and Care Act 2022 and the Children Act 1989.
• Understanding of safeguarding including the risks, principles and systems.
• Team player and enjoys working with patients and families.
• Understanding of loss and grief and its impact on patients and families.
• Experience with children and adolescents facing loss.
• Working knowledge of relevant statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Knowledge of charitable grants.
• Knowledge of social prescribing.

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.