Family Support Officer

The post holder will work as a member of the GOSH Louis Dundas palliative care team to provide direct practical and financial advice emotional and social support services to patients and their families. A key function of the post will be to advocate for community services and resources on behalf of families and make appropriate and timely referrals to appropriate local services., o To provide practical support advice and assistance to families in line with the agreed LDC Palliative Care team framework for the provision of psychosocial support to the hospital and community.

o To work directly with families to provide practical support and assistance, alongside the LDC Palliative care team

o To work directly with children who have a range of health conditions and their families who may be highly distressed.

o To work with families, post death, acting as bereavement key worker as appropriate.

o Attend regular team meetings to consider new referrals and allocation of work according to need, taking referrals from members of the LDC Palliative care multidisciplinary team.

o To implement procedures for the effective management and dispersal of financial assistance from the various funds available

o To work in conjunction with other psychosocial staff, clinical staff and benefits advisors within the hospital and in the community to ensure timely and effective support for patients and families.

o To liaise with other professionals involved in child's care, for example teachers, social workers, community nurses, hospice family support worker etc. This may include communicating sensitive information appropriately given the high level of stress that families may be experiencing.

o To advise families (and staff as necessary) on welfare benefits, charitable support and volunteer organisations.

We are committed to recruiting the best person for the job through a fair, open and consistent process that is free from bias and discrimination.

We are working towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. This means creating a workplace where every colleague feels seen, heard and valued, and where racism in any form has no place. Our anti-racism commitment is backed by action through our Anti-Racism Statement and action plan, developed in collaboration with our REACH staff network.

We actively challenge discrimination, dismantle barriers and embed equity across all aspects of our workforce, including recruitment, progression and development. All applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, health condition or employment history.

We particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and LGBTQ+ community members. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Business Disability Forum, and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Our staff networks, including REACH, PRIDE, ENABLED and Women's Networks, are active and executive supported. These employee-led networks play a vital role in shaping an inclusive culture at GOSH and are open to all colleagues.

Together, we are building a culture where inclusion is not optional - it is essential.