Job summary To provide support to families experiencing short- or long-term difficulties associated with caring for a child or young person with a complex life-limiting condition as part of the wider service offer within Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice. Main duties of the job To fulfil the role effectively you will be a creative and resilient person and able to work collaboratively with your team. You will have experience of working with children and families who have complex needs, offering support packages that meet their individual requirements. You will be able to connect with a wide variety of local system partners, community activities and support services to signpost families to appropriate help such as for wellbeing, housing, welfare, social support and financial advice. You will develop a defined caseload of families requiring more regular, direct support to facilitate the assessment of individual needs, monitor progress and ensure this is reviewed regularly using an evidence-based approach. About us At Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice, we care for children and young people whose lives are just too short. Our aim is to reach every family that needs our help and to offer them the very best choice of care. Did you know that every year we need to raise 6.5m to keep our doors open and only around 16 percent of our income comes from government sources? The rest has to be raised through fundraising activity. Date posted 05 March 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £27,795 a year £27,795 (£22,236 pro rata) pa FTE Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number B0039-25-0003 Job locations Cramfit Road North Anston Sheffield S25 4AJ Job description Job responsibilities TITLE OF POST: Family Support Worker / Social Prescriber ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Family Support JOB PURPOSE: To provide support to families experiencing short- or long-term difficulties associated with caring for a child or young person with a complex life-limiting condition as part of the wider service offer within Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice. MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Key Responsibilities: Connect with a wide variety of local system partners, community activities and support services to signpost families to appropriate help such as for wellbeing, housing, welfare, social support and financial advice. Establish and maintain links with Early Help teams across various local authorities, utilising their outreach services to strengthen the service offer within the hospice, advocating in multi-agency meetings when required. Maintain links with specialist support groups to signpost families to support unique to their family circumstances. Develop a defined caseload of families requiring more regular, direct support to facilitate the assessment of individual needs, monitor progress and ensure this is reviewed regularly using an evidence-based approach. Work across the key care service areas within the hospice to identify areas of need and work together to implement a holistic approach to supporting individual families. Develop and maintain relationships with various charities and wish-granting organizations, alongside other key staff members, provide relevant, up to date information and guidance to families. Key Tasks To facilitate drop-in services and group work opportunities for families to access peer support, advice and information. To visit families to conduct assessments and work closely with them to identify areas of need and to collaborate on bespoke package of support with measured outcomes. Support families to apply for wishes, grants and other funding opportunities where appropriate. To collaborate with the Family Support Team to plan and develop the pastoral service offer within the hospice to meet the needs of all families. Develop and maintain good working relationships with other agencies, statutory and voluntary, representing Bluebell Wood at external meeting as and when required. Conduct Early Help Assessments when families have been identified as requiring additional support, acting as the Lead Professional where necessary and facilitating Team around the Family (TAF) meetings. Develop working relationships and maintain professional boundaries. Communication Establish and maintain effective communication with families, including using web pages, newsletters, social media etc. Establish and maintain effective communication with relevant individuals and groups to support families; including key members of the hospice; volunteers; service users; statutory and voluntary organisations. Understand the importance of, and maintain, the need for confidentiality in all individual and hospice matters. Develop mechanisms to engage with service users enabling families to have a voice, which influences current and future service provision. Document a network of support services across the geographical area covered to support other team members to signpost and refer children and families to external services. SUPERVISORS OF VOLUNTEERS AT BLUEBELL WOOD ARE EXPECTED TO : Recruit a team of volunteers to assist with the running of the department. Manage, coordinate, supervise and train the volunteers. Ensure a sufficient number of volunteers are engaged in order to maintain the expected level of service. Complete working spreadsheets on a weekly/monthly basis, including planned absentee and holiday cover. Allocate appropriate work schedules to volunteers, to meet the needs of the business. Carry out effective inductions for new volunteers in your team. Lead and guide volunteers, providing the support needed to maintain morale and enable them to work effectively. Supervise your volunteers appropriately in their day-to-day work and actively work to recognise the work that they do. Ensure your volunteers have access to some personal time with you on a regular basis. Ensure that your volunteers have an annual opportunity to reflect on their volunteering role with you. Support appropriate volunteer learning and development within your team. Communicate effectively with your volunteer team. GENERAL All Bluebell Wood employees are required to: Abide by the Health & Safety at Work Act Adhere to policy and procedures around safeguarding children and young adults Respect confidentiality applying to all Hospice areas Work within Hospice policies and procedures Demonstrable understanding and application of the provisions of GDPR Comply with the Hospice no smoking policy Participate in and contribute to team meetings Co-operate and liaise with colleagues Behave in a professional manner at all times Act as an ambassador for Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice, reflecting the objectives and values, and to always work in the best interests of the charity. All Bluebell Wood employees are expected to: Demonstrate a commitment to their own development, to take advantage of education and training opportunities and develop their own competence. Support and encourage harmonious internal and external working relationships. Make a positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice. This job description is not exhaustive. It will be subject to periodic review and may be amended following discussion between the post-holder and employer. Job description Job responsibilities TITLE OF POST: Family Support Worker / Social Prescriber ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Family Support JOB PURPOSE: To provide support to families experiencing short- or long-term difficulties associated with caring for a child or young person with a complex life-limiting condition as part of the wider service offer within Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice. MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Key Responsibilities: Connect with a wide variety of local system partners, community activities and support services to signpost families to appropriate help such as for wellbeing, housing, welfare, social support and financial advice. Establish and maintain links with Early Help teams across various local authorities, utilising their outreach services to strengthen the service offer within the hospice, advocating in multi-agency meetings when required. Maintain links with specialist support groups to signpost families to support unique to their family circumstances. Develop a defined caseload of families requiring more regular, direct support to facilitate the assessment of individual needs, monitor progress and ensure this is reviewed regularly using an evidence-based approach. Work across the key care service areas within the hospice to identify areas of need and work together to implement a holistic approach to supporting individual families. Develop and maintain relationships with various charities and wish-granting organizations, alongside other key staff members, provide relevant, up to date information and guidance to families. Key Tasks To facilitate drop-in services and group work opportunities for families to access peer support, advice and information. To visit families to conduct assessments and work closely with them to identify areas of need and to collaborate on bespoke package of support with measured outcomes. Support families to apply for wishes, grants and other funding opportunities where appropriate. To collaborate with the Family Support Team to plan and develop the pastoral service offer within the hospice to meet the needs of all families. Develop and maintain good working relationships with other agencies, statutory and voluntary, representing Bluebell Wood at external meeting as and when required. Conduct Early Help Assessments when families have been identified as requiring additional support, acting as the Lead Professional where necessary and facilitating Team around the Family (TAF) meetings. Develop working relationships and maintain professional boundaries. Communication Establish and maintain effective communication with families, including using web pages, newsletters, social media etc. Establish and maintain effective communication with relevant individuals and groups to support families; including key members of the hospice; volunteers; service users; statutory and voluntary organisations. Understand the importance of, and maintain, the need for confidentiality in all individual and hospice matters. Develop mechanisms to engage with service users enabling families to have a voice, which influences current and future service provision. Document a network of support services across the geographical area covered to support other team members to signpost and refer children and families to external services. SUPERVISORS OF VOLUNTEERS AT BLUEBELL WOOD ARE EXPECTED TO : Recruit a team of volunteers to assist with the running of the department. Manage, coordinate, supervise and train the volunteers. Ensure a sufficient number of volunteers are engaged in order to maintain the expected level of service. Complete working spreadsheets on a weekly/monthly basis, including planned absentee and holiday cover. Allocate appropriate work schedules to volunteers, to meet the needs of the business. Carry out effective inductions for new volunteers in your team. Lead and guide volunteers, providing the support needed to maintain morale and enable them to work effectively. Supervise your volunteers appropriately in their day-to-day work and actively work to recognise the work that they do. Ensure your volunteers have access to some personal time with you on a regular basis. Ensure that your volunteers have an annual opportunity to reflect on their volunteering role with you. Support appropriate volunteer learning and development within your team. Communicate effectively with your volunteer team. GENERAL All Bluebell Wood employees are required to: Abide by the Health & Safety at Work Act Adhere to policy and procedures around safeguarding children and young adults Respect confidentiality applying to all Hospice areas Work within Hospice policies and procedures Demonstrable understanding and application of the provisions of GDPR Comply with the Hospice no smoking policy Participate in and contribute to team meetings Co-operate and liaise with colleagues Behave in a professional manner at all times Act as an ambassador for Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice, reflecting the objectives and values, and to always work in the best interests of the charity. All Bluebell Wood employees are expected to: Demonstrate a commitment to their own development, to take advantage of education and training opportunities and develop their own competence. Support and encourage harmonious internal and external working relationships. Make a positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice. This job description is not exhaustive. It will be subject to periodic review and may be amended following discussion between the post-holder and employer. Person Specification Other Essential Legally entitled to work in this country Ability to work some evenings and occasional weekends Full driving licence with access to a reliable vehicle and business insurance cover Qualifications Essential Educated to level 3 in a subject relevant to working with children, young people and families (e.g. health & social care, education etc.) Desirable Level 2 counselling skills qualification. Experience Essential Experience of supporting children, young people and/or families with complex needs and disabilities. Demonstrable experience of building and maintaining links with statutory and non-statutory services to support families. Demonstrable experience of working with various stakeholders using a multi-agency approach. Experience of working collaboratively within an organisation Experience of managing a case load of families offering support on a 1:1 basis, with the ability to prioritise conflicting demands. Experience of designing and facilitating group work Desirable Experience of working within a palliative care setting. Experience of using evidence-based assessment tools to identify need and regularly monitor progress Experience of supporting in the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers Personal qualities Essential Ability to work independently and use own initiative A commitment to and empathy for the philosophy of working within a childrens hospice Able to work well as part of a team Ability to adapt to the emotional needs of others and implement a sensitive, trauma informed approach. Person Specification Other Essential Legally entitled to work in this country Ability to work some evenings and occasional weekends Full driving licence with access to a reliable vehicle and business insurance cover Qualifications Essential Educated to level 3 in a subject relevant to working with children, young people and families (e.g. health & social care, education etc.) Desirable Level 2 counselling skills qualification. Experience Essential Experience of supporting children, young people and/or families with complex needs and disabilities. Demonstrable experience of building and maintaining links with statutory and non-statutory services to support families. Demonstrable experience of working with various stakeholders using a multi-agency approach. Experience of working collaboratively within an organisation Experience of managing a case load of families offering support on a 1:1 basis, with the ability to prioritise conflicting demands. Experience of designing and facilitating group work Desirable Experience of working within a palliative care setting. Experience of using evidence-based assessment tools to identify need and regularly monitor progress Experience of supporting in the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers Personal qualities Essential Ability to work independently and use own initiative A commitment to and empathy for the philosophy of working within a childrens hospice Able to work well as part of a team Ability to adapt to the emotional needs of others and implement a sensitive, trauma informed approach. Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. Employer details Employer name Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice Address Cramfit Road North Anston Sheffield S25 4AJ Employer's website https://www.bluebellwood.org/ (Opens in a new tab)