Bereavement Counsellor / Support worker

We are expanding our bereavement service with the addition of a counsellor/support worker, who will be required to deliver a high quality of bereavement support and counselling to families within maternity who have experienced a pregnancy loss, stillbirth and early neonatal death (excluding those babies admitted to the Neonatal Unit). Or those required to make difficult and complex decisions based on unexpected findings in pregnancy., Provide a counselling service for individuals who self-refer, or those referred from a maternity pathway of care, within the agreements reached between the maternity service and the trust.
To liaise, collaborate and communicate with the referrers, GPs and others concerned with the care and treatment of clients. This may also include the communication of sensitive information and should be undertaken all times in line with requirements under client confidentially and data protection.
To work in collaboration with the bereavement midwife and the wider multidisciplinary team, to support bereaved parents. Provide information, guidance and support to other healthcare staff on the issues of counselling and bereavement support.
Assist the bereavement midwife with the coordination and delivery of all aspects of bereavement care and cross covers for them during leave. This to include administrative duties, supporting families with birth/death registration, funeral arrangements, liaising with the Coroner's Office and arrangements for perinatal postmortem.
Delivery of teaching and training as required, contribution to the education and development of the multidisciplinary workforce to ensure they have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to support bereaved families.
Work closely within existing guidance to develop and improve bereavement pathways within maternity and inline with third sector partners., It is now the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. We welcome applications from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network; LGBT+ Network; Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions Network, Faith Network, Childless not by Choice Network and the Menopause Support Group.
As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at [email protected]
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.
IMPORTANT - Please ensure you read the 'Guidance Notes for Applicants' document attached to this advert before you start to complete your application form.
This document provides detailed advice regarding the completion of your application form.
The guidance document also provides in detail what identification and certificates you must provide at interview should you be shortlisted.
As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references from their last continuous 3 year employment and/or training/education. The referees MUST be a Line Manager/Supervisor. Applicants are requested to ensure email addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references and references from colleagues are not acceptable.
Unfortunately we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within six weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff to the Trust; this training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the New and Aspiring leaders programme, and the Foundation Quality Improvement Programme that the Trust delivers. After you complete this one and a half day of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities, we offer further in-house courses and bitesize programmes and leadership apprenticeships at level 3,5 and 7.