Palliative Care Social Worker

Function as an integral

member of the hospice multi-disciplinary team, contributing to holistic care

planning and providing support that addresses the complex social, psychological

and emotional needs of people approaching the end of life or living with a

palliative diagnosis.

Use patient-identified

goals and an understanding of individual social and psychological needs to

contribute to multidisciplinary care and discharge planning.

Play a key role in

initiating conversations and supporting the implementation of Advance Care

Planning decisions.

Act as the Designated

Safeguarding Lead, supporting the MDT in applying the principles and

requirements of the Mental Capacity Act and Care Act, safeguarding patients'

rights, autonomy and wellbeing, and delivering mandatory safeguarding training.

Demonstrate an

understanding of the impact of grief and loss on patients, families and those

important to them.

The successful candidate

will be able to

Demonstrate the ability

to identify and respond to the emotional, psychological and cultural needs of

patients and those important to them.

Work collaboratively as

part of a wider integrated team, demonstrating strong leadership, communication

and relationship-building skills.

Clinical

Work

across all hospice services, including Inpatient and Living Well Services.

Hold

accountability for a caseload of complex patients and those important to them.

Collaborate

with patients and their families to assess and address social circumstances,

including concerns about finances, housing, and practical care needs.

Support

patients and families in managing interpersonal relationships, emotional

distress, and challenges associated with illness and palliative care needs.

Assist

patients and families in accessing, identifying, appraising, and interpreting

complex information to enable informed decision-making, as part of the wider

multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Utilize

advanced communication skills to deliver complex or highly emotive information

clearly, sensitively, and unambiguously, whether face-to-face, via telephone,

or through electronic means.

Take a

leading role in advance care planning, supporting patients and families in

making decisions about end-of-life care.

Guide

and support the MDT in appropriately applying the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and

the Care Act 2014, ensuring the rights and autonomy of patients are

safeguarded.

Assist

in the facilitation of Mental Capacity Assessments, Best Interests Decisions,

and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards processes.

Use

patient-identified goals and an understanding of psychosocial needs to

contribute effectively to multi-professional care and discharge planning,

services to support families and carers upon discharge.

Lead on the discharge

planning for complex cases and support nursing staff in ensuring safe and

appropriate discharges.

Provide and maintain

comprehensive knowledge of community service provision, acting as a resource

for discharge planning advice and information.

Offer immediate support

and information to families and carers following the death of a patient.

Stay current with

legislation, welfare rights, and reforms that impact advocacy and practice,

ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients.

Conduct home visits, as

appropriate, to support effective discharge planning.

Management, Supervision and Training

To engage in regular 1 to1 meetings with Direct Line

Manger, working towards personal and relevant organisational

objectives

To develop, plan, implement and evaluate formal and

informal safeguarding training and education programmes related to palliative

care for all health and social care professionals

To provide informal education to patients/carers and

other groups at appropriate levels

To maintain and develop professional knowledge and

skills meeting annual CPD requirements in line with the professional

competencies framework.

To develop and maintain relationships with

colleagues from the wider specialist palliative care team and other Hospices in

their social work networks.

To keep and maintain accurate patient records as per

hospice and professional guidelines

To participate in regular clinical supervision

As one of the leading

members of the Clinical Team and the MDT, the Hospice Social Worker will bring

significant clinical expertise, strategic insight, and a collaborative approach

to patient care.

To contribute to complex

case planning.

Represent the social

work function at internal and external forums and ensure that social care is

integrated into the wider model of hospice and palliative care.

The role involves being

a member of the clinical management team and oversee service planning, policy

development.

Evaluation, Research

and Audit

Regularly evaluate the quality of own work and that

of the wider team, encouraging a culture of continuous improvement.

Actively participate in

clinical audits as indicated, responding to identified needs by developing or

modifying practice as required.

Engage with and

participate in research activities as needed to support and enhance the

clinical service.

Professional

Maintain compliance with

the standards, code of conduct, and professional practice requirements of the

relevant professional body, ensuring ongoing expertise and knowledge through

continuous professional development (CPD).

Foster positive working

relationships with the local safeguarding board and other hospices within the

Northwest region.

Participate in

reflective practice and access in-house training opportunities, including

compliance with all hospices mandatory training requirements.

You will be joining a friendly and welcoming team with a collective aim of positively enhancing the lives of the individuals in our care. You will be supported through a specific induction programme.

Qualifications

Experience

Other