JOB DESCRIPTION

  • Title:PIPS Hope & Support Family Support Worker
  • Based:PIPS Hope & Support, 50 Mill Street, Newry, Co Down BT34 1AG
  • Contract12 months
  • Hours16 hrs per week
  • The nature of this post requires the post holder to work flexibly and is likely to involve some evening and or weekend work for which Time off in Lieu (TOIL) provision will be provided
  • Responsible to:Chief Executive
  • Reporting to:Chief Executive
  • Probationary Period:3 Months
  • Salary:£22,000 per annum (pro rata)
  • Leave Entitlement24 days per year plus statutory days, (pro rata)

The nature of this post requires the post holder to undertake an Access NI check prior to taking up appointment

Job Function

  • The PIPS HOPE & SUPPORT Family Support Worker will work within a small team to identify and support families bereaved by suicide. The family support worker will work to ensure that all the practical arrangements are in place for families in the immediate aftermath of suicide. They will work with families to identify their ongoing needs and ensure they are provided with appropriate and adequate community and professional support.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Family Support

  • To work closely with the Chief Executive in ensuring a timely, sensitive and effective PIPS HOPE & SUPPORT service to families bereaved by suicide
  • To provide a first point contact for families bereaved as soon as possible after a bereavement.
  • To engage with bereaved families, offering appropriate support, undertaking an initial assessment of their needs and developing a supportive ongoing relationship with them in the days following their bereavement, which identifies and responds to their ongoing needs
  • To liaise with families a month after the death, at a six-month period and around the first anniversary of their bereavement
  • Provide additional support and referral/signposting to other available support services
  • Participate in the development and delivery of PIPS HOPE & SUPPORT outreach services.
  • To work in partnership with other relevant service providers to ensure the needs of families are met.
  • Maintain appropriate recording and database procedures which ensure that accurate written records of all contacts with, families and other agencies are maintained in line with data protection legislation and client confidentiality procedures.
  • Facilitate suicide bereavement support meeting
  • Familiarise yourself with local statutory, community and voluntary sector resources relevant to Client base, to enable appropriate signposting and referral to other services.

Crisis Intervention

  • To provide crisis intervention service to families and other service users as required.

General

  • Participate in team meetings, supervision and other team activities
  • To attend and participate in training to ensure professional development and competence
  • Carry out all duties in accordance with the values and policies of PIPS HOPE & SUPPORT
  • Other duties which may arise from time to time, as requested by management

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria

  • A Minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a support role with people who are in distress or at a time of crisis in their lives
  • A relevant qualification e.g. Counselling, Social Work, Youth and Community Work, Health and Social Care
  • Experience of working with families
  • Ability to create and sustain effective working relationships and build consensus with key stakeholders
  • Effective advocacy skills
  • Can demonstrate clear understanding of the importance of confidentiality
  • Understanding of risk identification, reporting and management
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Self-motivation and ability to organise and manage effectively a programme of work with multiple strands
  • Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook,)
  • Can demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality
  • Willingness to undertake additional training
  • Flexible and dedicated approach to work

Desirable Criteria

  • Experience of working with families children and young people
  • Knowledge and understanding of the ‘Protect Life’ Strategy
  • ASIST or equivalent training
  • Knowledge of suicide and impact suicide has upon community.
  • Personal leadership
  • Commitment to and experience of exercising self-evaluation and accountability
  • Full driving license and access to a car.

 The duties and responsibilities of this job description are neither definitive nor restrictive and can be modified to meet the changing needs of the organisation. The organisation is committed to providing the highest possible quality of service to its clients and the community. Members of staff are expected at all times to provide a caring service to treat those with whom they come in contact in a courteous and respectful manner.

 Shortlisting will be based on the evidence that you supply on your application form to satisfactorily demonstrate how, and to what extent, you meet the above criteria. The Shortlisting Panel will not make assumptions as to your circumstances, qualifications, and experience.

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Family Support Worker: