ST JOSEPH’S HOSPICE
JOB DESCRIPTION
Community Development Manager, Islington Bereavement Service
BAND:
REPORTS TO:
Band 6
Bereavement Service Coordinator, St Joseph’s Hospice
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Psychological Therapies Team Manager, St Joseph’s Hospice
POST:
37.5 hrs (Job Share), 1 year fixed term; including out of hours working
LOCATION:
Based in Islington with the Islington End of Life and Palliative Care
Service
JOB PURPOSE
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Provide an effective high quality outcome focused bereavement service for residents of the
London Borough of Islington in accordance with the policies set out and approved by the
Islington Bereavement Service Steering Group
Manage the day to day running of the service, working with people from different cultural
and religious backgrounds
Recruit, select, train and develop the volunteer befrienders for the Bereavement Support
Service
Background of Service
This service has been commissioned by Islington CCG to provide a Level 2 Bereavement Service
that meets the criteria of the NICE Supportive and Palliative Care Guidance for Adults 2004.
St Joseph’s Hospice has been awarded the contract to deliver this service and is fully committed
to working in partnership with Islington CCG and the Islington End of Life and Palliative Care
Service (ELIPSE) team to deliver successful outcomes. The service will cover people who are
residents of Islington or who are registered with an Islington GP. It will meet the needs of adults
who are over 18 who have been bereaved, irrespective of the cause of death of the deceased
person.
St Joseph’s Hospice has a long history of working in partnership to deliver successful outcomes for
its local population which is recognised as having some unique challenges and opportunities.
The fundamental aim of the service is to position itself effectively with principle providers involved with
patients, their carers, families and other closely effected, at the time of their death. The service will be
informed by national and local strategies, to provide an efficient and effective bereavement peer support
service.
The objectives of this Service are to:
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Raise the profile of risk factors for poor grief reaction
Assess the bereavement need of individuals
Provide information regarding the experience of grief and support services
Increase availability of information regarding bereavement care and support
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Provide peer befriending support services in a variety of forms
Develop an integrated approach to collaborative partnership working with other professional groups
to deliver therapeutic interventions.
Key Working Relationships
The post holder will need to build key relationships with Islington ELiPSe team, related local
Islington organisations, both statutory and non statutory, and with teams at STJH, particularly St
Joseph’s Psychological Therapies Team. This will enable the service to continue to improve
engagement with critical stakeholders within the Borough of Islington and will ensure the service is
promoted and recognised as a high quality outcome focused service.
As part of the requirements of the role the post holder will engage on a regular basis with key local
stakeholders who provide end of life care within Islington. This will include key community groups,
Community Health Services, Secondary Care, Primary Care and GPs, Social care, Care Homes,
Voluntary Organisations e.g. Islington Bereavement Services, CRUSE, Emergency Services, Out of
Hours Providers etc
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Provide an effective high quality outcome focused bereavement service for residents of the
London Borough of Islington in accordance with the policies set out and approved by the Islington
Bereavement Service Steering Group
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Publicise the work of the new bereavement service including maintaining contacts with
other professionals in the statutory and health services and other voluntary services
Work closely with the Steering Group to develop the role making such recommendations as
may be needed
Play an active role in the Steering Group and contribute to the strategic development of the
service
Discuss joint initiatives with members of the operational group, bringing any such proposals
to the Steering Group. This may include supporting bids for further service contracts
Adhere at all times to the stated aims and objectives of the partnership between the two
organisations; STJH and Islington ELiPSe team
Follow the Standing Financial instructions of the partner organisations and be accountable
for project expenditure against agreed budget
Take overall responsibility for monitoring the finance, management and administration of
the service
Ensure the maintenance of accurate records and deal with general correspondence
relating to the service
Record monthly and annual statistics as required in the service specification and
contractual obligations, introducing and leading on the implementation of any new
procedures necessary to facilitate the accurate recording and analysis of these statistics
Prepare and ensure publication of an annual report and any other reports requested by the
Steering Groups or Commissioners of the Service
Prepare and present reports for the monthly Steering Group meetings which include
accurate statistical information and a detailed account of the outcomes and developments
within the bereavement service
Provide information to Commissioners and/or monitoring reports when required
Develop databases of relevant community groups and faith organisations for publicity and
promotion, outreaching and inter-agency activities
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Promote an awareness of bereavement and the service by working with partner
organisations to produce and print promotional materials for distribution to libraries, health
centres, neighbourhood offices etc
Work with the Steering Group to promote an improved awareness of bereavement and loss
through the publication of articles in local and national media
Manage the day to day running of the service working with people from different cultural and
religious backgrounds
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Develop systems for receiving referrals, assessing clients for their suitability for the service,
and for allocation to volunteers and/or groups
Conduct assessments of bereaved individuals for suitability for befriending/visiting service
or groups, or referral on to another appropriate service e.g. psychiatry or social service
Following the NICE guidance, ensure that robust processes are in place to identify when
more complex component 3 needs emerge and refer on to appropriate services.
Review the assessment procedure on a regular basis and alter it accordingly to meet the
needs of clients, volunteers and the service being offered
Establish and run groups for bereaved people either for social support or for therapeutic
purposes
Ensure 1:1 support and service provision for clients as necessary This will include the
appropriate allocation of clients to befrienders for both group and individual support
Following St Joseph’s Suicide Risk Management, Safeguarding and other relevant
procedures, support individual clients in emergency situations
Undertake regular and frequent evaluation and monitoring of the service including regular
client feedback to ensure it is meeting desired outcomes and the needs of the clients being
referred.
Introduce new procedures and guidelines to take account of changing needs and
requirements of the service being offered
Manage IBS staff
Recruit, select, train and develop the volunteer befrienders for the Bereavement Support Service
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Develop policies and procedures to recruit and train volunteers
Recruit, interview and select volunteers and new staff working collaboratively with Islington
ELiPSe team on an on-going basis
Organise and run the initial training for volunteers, either personally or through engaging
suitable trainers as required to meet the diverse needs of the Islington population
Provide on-going training and development as the service evolves to volunteers, and to
other identified groups
Undertake operational management of the volunteers and the service administrator
Provide leadership, management and on-going support and supervision to volunteers both
individually and in groupsWorking in partnership with the ELIPSE team, ensure all
volunteers attend supervision regularly as required and provide supervision to individuals
and groups of volunteers as required to meet the needs of the service as it evolves and
develops
Assess the work of volunteers providing clear and constructive feedback in order to
maintain and improve their performance
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Personal Development
 Adhere at all times to own professional code of practice
 Take responsibility for own professional development, including keeping up to date with
relevant professional and developments in the care of the bereaved at local and national
levels
 Identify own learning and development needs in order to meet the key requirements of the
post
 Take responsibility for linking own professional development needs to the Hospice
appraisal and objective setting process
 Engage in own supervision to support personal and professional development
Equal Opportunities
Comply with and promote St Joseph’s Hospice Equal Opportunity Policy and avoid any behaviour
which discriminates against colleagues, potential employees, patients/clients or their families on
the grounds of sex, marital status, race, age, belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins,
religion, disability or sexual orientation.
Mission and Core Values
All Hospice staff are expected to work in line with St Joseph’s Mission & Core Values as these
precepts act as a value base which directly influences how all work activities are undertaken. The
ethos of the Hospice should be apparent in the behaviours and attitudes of all employees as the
work they undertake, whether it is direct or indirect care is ultimately for the benefit of the
patients. The Core Values are an integral part of all job descriptions, the probationary period and
performance and development reviews. (full details attached)
Health & Safety
Ensure a safe working environment and be aware of responsibilities under the Health & Safety at
Work Act, taking appropriate action in the event of an accident to patients, staff, self or any other
person in the work area.
THIS JOB DESCRIPTION WILL BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND
MAY INCLUDE OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, FOLLOWING DISCUSSION WITH JOB
HOLDER AND THE DIRECTOR OF CARE SERVICES
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MISSION STATEMENT OF ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPICE
Our Mission is:
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To treat each individual as unique
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To enable all to reach their full potential until death
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Through the work of the Study Centre and Ethics Committee
Ensuring that research projects are carried out when deemed appropriate
To be committed to the development of palliative care
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Through consultation and participation in decision making
Through staff support
To be committed to education, research and an ethical approach to care
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Through meeting the patient’s needs as a person
Through accepting the terminal dimensions of the illness
Through a holistic approach of care
To show particular concern for staff at all levels
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By respecting the patient’s wish to question or remain silent
By respecting the patient’s confidentiality at all times
To create an atmosphere where healing can occur
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Through close co-operation between all of the disciplines involved
in the care of the patient and family members
To encourage openness and honesty when communicating with the patient and family members
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Valuing what they have to offer
Respecting the autonomy of the individual
Encouraging them to participate in their own care, together with
their family and friends
To confront the patient’s pain and distress whether physical, mental, social or spiritual
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Valuing them without distinction or judgement
Respecting their culture
Respecting their beliefs – be they religious or otherwise
Throughout the United Kingdom
And further afield
To participate actively in National Associations
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Of the various palliative care disciplines – medical, nursing, social work and chaplaincy
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CORE VALUES OF THE RELIGIOUS SISTERS OF CHARITY
RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY
We respect human dignity when we:
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Respect the sacredness of life
Care for the whole person
Demonstrate unity of purpose, while recognising
individual differences
Value each person’s contribution
Act in a culturally appropriate manner
SERVICE / QUALITY
We provide service when we:
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Create an environment of welcome and hospitality
Promote quality care and excellence
Encourage and demonstrate team spirit
Recognise the value of individual initiatives and ideas
Show an openness to constructive criticism and feedback
CARE OF THE POOR AND VULNERABLE / ADVOCACY
We care for the poor and vulnerable when we:
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Listen attentively to identify unmet needs
Respond in a practical way to those in need
Collaborate with others to share resources
Create access to needed services
Provide basic resources for daily living to those in need
COMPASSION
We show compassion when we:
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Act with understanding and sensitivity
Work cooperatively with others
Are available to those we serve and to each other
Respect and nurture the environment
JUSTICE
We promote justice when we:
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Act with integrity
Respect the rights of others
Take responsibility for our actions
Preserve resources
Provide quality without extravagance
Demonstrate fairness in decision making
Affirm, celebrate and develop the gifts and talents of each person
Model justice in all aspects of business practice
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