Child & Family Bereavement Specialist - Hospice
Posted 2 hours 20 minutes ago by The Rowans Hospice
Permanent
Not Specified
Other
Hampshire, Winchester, United Kingdom, SO211
Job Description
About Us Rowans Hospice is a charity that provides free care and support to adults and their families living in the Portsmouth and South-East Hampshire region who have a life-limiting illness. Established in 1994, our income is generated by ongoing support of the local community, donations, legacies, fundraising and through our retail shops. The Role The Child Bereavement Specialist will work within the Meerkats Team, which is managed by the Child Bereavement Manager, who is responsible to the Child Bereavement Lead. The role is based at Rowans Hospice, Purbrook.The Child Bereavement Specialist provides specialist pre and post bereavement support to children and young people up to the age of 18 who have a significant adult with a life limiting illness or who have died.The role will continue development and delivery of the Meerkat Service at Rowans Hospice, delivering high quality, developmentally appropriate psychosocial assessments and therapeutic interventions within the adult hospice setting, recognising the unique impact of life limiting illness and bereavement on children and families. You will work collaboratively with hospice colleagues and external partners to ensure children's needs are identified early and responded to appropriately. Key Responsibilitiesinclude (but not limited to - see Job Description for further information) 
- Undertake specialist psychosocial assessments of children, young people and families affected by serious illness or bereavement, demonstrating respect for each child's developmental stage and lived experience
- Identify emotional and psychosocial needs and support families in responding to these with honesty and clarity
- Provide developmentally appropriate pre and post bereavement support through individual sessions, family guidance and group work
- Provide guidance to parents, carers and other adults supporting children through illness and bereavement, ensuring they feel valued and informed
- Maintain an active clinical caseload and prioritise referrals according to clinical need and service capacity
- Support children experiencing anticipatory grief when a significant adult has a life limiting illness
- Provide post bereavement support to children and families following the death of a significant adult
- Facilitate group support programmes for children and young people where appropriate
- Respond to crisis situations involving families when required, acting with Trust and calm professionalism.