St Michael's Hospice



JOB DESCRIPTIONJob Title: Social Worker Job Location: St Michael’s Hospice, Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards-on-SeaResponsible to:Senior Social WorkerMAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE1.1Be a key member of the specialist interdisciplinary palliative care team, undertake social work assessment and support provision to enable people to develop creative and personalised solutions and to make informed choices to manage their health, social wellbeing and lives independently for as long as possible.1.2Work in close partnership with the Senior Social Worker to provide holistic emotional and practical support for patients, families and carers, developing integrated services to optimise all aspects of social wellbeing.1.3Advocate a person-centred approach, underpinned by a focus on optimising the capacity and strengths of patients, carers, families and communities, across all hospice services. 1.4Provide a source of social work expertise and advice to the multidisciplinary team on social care issues, emotional and relationship complexity and risk. PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIESClinical ResponsibilitiesAs an autonomous practitioner, undertake social work assessment of patients, carers and family’s needs, taking into account social, financial, cultural, psychological, spiritual and an evaluation of risk.Work as a key member of the hospice multidisciplinary team to undertake holistic assessments of new patients, identifying their goals and priorities and co-creating a personalised support plan including referral to other services, both internal and external as appropriate.Assess the person and their family’s social assets, strengths, emotional resilience, coping strategies and challenges through the use of social work skills and discussion with the multi professional team.Undertake social work assessments to formulate support plans to meet need in liaison with the patient’s network, other community resources and the multidisciplinary team.Evaluate and review the patient and family’s needs, tailoring input and adapting their support plans as needed including closing cases as appropriate.Recognise and support the social work needs of people with mental health needs, learning disabilities and other vulnerabilities and co morbidities, providing expert guidance to the multidisciplinary team.Identify and evaluate risk as it relates to patients, carers, children and professionals and respond appropriately as per hospice policies, including referring to statutory services with the support of the Senior Social Worker where necessary.Utilise best practice social work and palliative care outcome measures and goal-orientated patient documentation on Crosscare, consistent with department standards and organisation wide initiatives to ensure and evidence quality and effectiveness.Contribute to the delivery of the Wellbeing Programme by planning, facilitating and evaluating group sessions in line with area of professional specialism.Exemplify and promote the principles of Rehabilitative Palliative Care; working in partnership with multidisciplinary colleagues to actively practice person-centred goal setting, focus on function, enablement and supported self-management throughout hospice services.Use advanced communication skills at all times in interactions with patients, family members, carers, important others, team members, colleagues and external partners. Including:Use of tact and empathy to communicate difficult and challenging information including highly emotional topics relating to death, dying, deterioration and loss. Encourage participation in care and wellbeing by using skilled motivational interviewing, negotiation and reassurance.Offer assistance, support and information regarding Department of Work and Pensions welfare benefits, health benefits, financial, legal and housing problems. Refer onto specialist external support to address more complex financial distress when necessary.Provide psychosocial support to patients, carers and relatives including support to children and young people, using individual, group and family meetings to help to resolve difficulties and improve communication. Signpost and refer on to other services as appropriate.Assist parents, grandparents and kinship carers to plan for their children’s future by offering practical and emotional guidance, involving children and young people where possible and appropriate to do so.In partnership with the Senior Social Worker, lead the development, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive carer support services at St Michael’s Hospice.Contribute Transfer of Care for patients, families and carers between hospice settings across the organisation and into the community to ensure these are person centred in line with people’s priorities and goals and planned for in a co-ordinated, timely way. Support the multidisciplinary team with complex discharge planning and take a lead role in linking with Local Authority social care staff.Participate in an integrated approach to care through joint working, attending multidisciplinary team meetings, case reviews and family meetings, offering specialist advice, guidance and recommendations as anise, facilitate and lead on complex family and/or professionals meetings. Liaise between the hospice, Local Authority, NHS Integrated Continuing Health Care Team and other community agencies on behalf of patients and family members. Seek timely support from the Senior Social Worker in relation to social work practice and provision as needed.2.0Organisation Responsibilities2.1Be part of the team of Designated Safeguarding Officers, under the guidance of the Safeguarding Lead (Senior Social Worker), ensuring best practice in safeguarding decision making and action, as set out in Safeguarding Children and Adults policy. Provide guidance and training to staff in partnership with other Designated Safeguarding Officers and Lead.2.2Contribute expertise to the multidisciplinary team on best practice in relation to Mental Capacity and Liberty Protection Standards, completing capacity assessments and contributing to Best Interest meetings when required.2.3Proactively contribute to a range of multidisciplinary MDT meetings, for patients, carers and families across all hospice services, ensuring discussion is person-centred and action based.2.4Take responsibility to inform and raise awareness of key issues involved in working with people from diverse socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds and role model best anti discriminatory practice.2.5Provide supervision to Wellbeing Assistants in line with aspects of role relating to social work provision and social work volunteers.2.7Contribute to the induction and orientation of new staff and students on placement from a variety of disciplines.2.8 Be a Practice Educator for social work students.2.9Effectively organise and manage changing responsibilities of clinical caseload, project work, and non-patient facing roles.2.10In partnership with the Senior Social Worker be involved in the development of new social work services and projects through co-creation of new groups /services, quality improvement projects, and clinical audit.2.11Participate in external meetings or events to represent the Social Work Service or St Michael’s Hospice at the request of the Senior Social Worker.3.0Education and Research3.1Actively engage in and to contribute to education initiatives relevant to expertise, experience and personal development objectives – be part of a team culture where education is recognised and practiced as a core element of service provision.3.2Contribute to training regarding the role of the specialist palliative care social worker, psychosocial palliative care, safeguarding, mental capacity and DOLS and any other area of specialist expertise.3.3Keep up to date with research, national guidance and policy relevant to social work and palliative care service provision and, ensuring clinical practice is adjusted in accordance with current recommendations and best evidence-based practice.3.4Ensure that own practice is evidence-based practice, embedding this as a core element of individual appraisal objectives, in-service training and any education initiatives delivered. 3.5Where appropriate, contribute to research initiatives relevant to service and strategy, in accordance with the hospice research policy.4.0Personal and Professional Development4.1Uphold the standards of professional conduct laid down by Social Work England and to maintain all requirements for ongoing professional registration with this body4.2Identify own learning and development needs in order to meet the key requirements of the post and linking these with hospice appraisal and objective setting process4.3Take responsibility for regularly completing and recording own continuing professional development (CPD) activities; participating in regular supervision, actively seeking to develop skills/knowledge, and utilising learning from reflection.5.0Additional Responsibilities5.1Maintain up-to-date adherence to all Statutory and Mandatory Training appropriate to role. To be aware of and adhere to all local policies/protocols.5.2Carry out duties with full regard to the Company’s Equalities and Diversity Policies.5.3Act as a responsible individual in relation to Health and Safety and be aware of the responsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, staff and volunteers.5.4Ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest standard, and in accordance with current quality initiatives within the work area.5.5Carry out any other duties, within an appropriate level of responsibilities as required.5.6Undertake flexible hours as the need arises to maintain safe patient practice.5.7Ensure confidentiality at all times within the Hospice.5.8Support and participate in the fundraising activities of the Hospice wherever possible.5.9 Be an ambassador for the Hospice.5.10Ensure that the disclosure and use of confidential staff information is both lawful and ethical, and to recognise own responsibility for compliance with relevant legislation.5.11Promote, at all levels, the Company’s vision, values and strategic objectives.5.12 Hold DBS and Occupational Health clearances appropriate to the role. Note: these are obtained and checked as part of the recruitment process and reviewed in line with company policy or if a change in circumstances is declared or comes to light.This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and may be reviewed at any time to meet the needs of the business.PERSON SPECIFICATIONPost Title:Social WorkerDepartment:Wellbeing ServicesEssential CriteriaDesirable CriteriaEducation / QualificationsDegree in Social WorkRegistered with Social Work EnglandSuccessfully completed Assessed and Supported Year in Employment or the equivalent prior to 2012 (NQSW year and academic module)Level 1 Practice Educator Professional Standards (Enabling Learning or equivalent)Evidence of CPD activities recordedPost graduate/academic learning relevant to the post or evidence of Palliative Care specific CPDLevel 2 Practice Educator Professional Standards or willingness to completeExperiencePost qualifying experience of working directly with adults, carers and family membersExperience of carrying out holistic social work assessment with adults and families using strengths based and asset based methodologiesExperience of provision of social work interventions that empower and support individuals and familiesPost qualifying social work experience of working in a statutory organisation in the UK and an understanding of Adult Social Care systems and processesAble to make use of research to inform practiceExperience of best practice in safeguarding adultsExperience of best practice under the Mental Capacity ActExperience of working with adults, carers and families impacted by life limiting illness/ disability Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teamsExperience of working with children and young peopleExperience of contributing to the learning of student and/or AYSE social workersExperience of managing situations involving distress, challenge and complexity Knowledge Able to demonstrate knowledge of and competence against the 9 domains of the Professional Capability Framework at social work levelKnowledge of theories, models and evidence bases for social work interventionsKnowledge of legal and policy frameworks that support, protect and promote the rights of vulnerable people in the UKKnowledge of human growth and development throughout the life span recognising the impact of relationships, psychological, socio- economic, environmental and physiological factors on people’s livesKnowledge and understanding of the impact of living with life limiting illness/ disability upon individuals and families and the resources available to themUnderstand forms of harm and their impact on people and the implications for practice, drawing on concepts of attachment, loss, vulnerability, risk, resistance and resilienceRecognise how systemic approaches can be used to understand the person in their family, community and wider environment and to inform practice?Understanding of the philosophy and practice of rehabilitative palliative care?Demonstrate an understanding of social welfare, local and national politico-economic and health policy and impact on patients, families and social work practiceSkills andAbilitiesEngage effectively using creativity, compassion and authority to communicate, build relationships and overcome resistance while maintaining professional boundaries with children,adults,carers and families in complex, variable and emotionally challenging situations, to promote well beingSkilled in undertaking holistic, goal focused assessments and creative support plansEffective communication and interpersonal skills to ensure sensitive communication with patients, carers, family members colleagues and external partnersAble to manage workload independently, applying analysis, critical reflection, informed decision making and timely interventionsAble to demonstrate accountability and effective judgement when anticipating, identifying, assessing and managing risk, seeking support and solutions where appropriateClear, concise verbal and written reporting/ documentationAbility to facilitate patient, family and professionals meetings around complex issuesIT skills including case recording, MS Word, Excel and OutlookCommitment to development of specialist palliative care knowledge and experience and the role of social work in this settingAbility to work autonomously and as an integral member of a multi-disciplinary teamAble to demonstrate a positive social work identityEvidence of commitment to ongoing professional development and evidence- based practice for self and othersEffective time management skillsAble to confidently advocate for patients, carers and family members priorities and needsApply the principles of social justice, social inclusion and equality decision making in all casework, challenging issues of discrimination and oppression and demonstrating the confident application of ethical reasoning to professional practice Qualities/AttributesPositive, constructive, solution focused attitudeWork positively with others, contributing to team working and a learning environment for self, team and colleaguesA commitment to the development of the hospiceDemonstrate personal and professional resilienceDemonstrate awareness of own professional limitations, personal values and knowledge gaps, to critically reflect on the influence and impact of professional practice and to engage in regular supervision to improve practice and career developmentWillingness to work with patients, carers and family members accessing Community, Wellbeing, Outpatients and In Patient servicesWillingness to support the education of trainee social workers ................
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