Family Support Officer

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Jul 24

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Entry Level
London

Requirements

Job Requirements:
- To provide practical support advice and assistance to families in line with the agreed framework for the provision of psychosocial support to the hospital
- To work directly with families to provide practical support and assistance, under the supervision of a social worker/senior social worker
- To work directly with children who have a range of health conditions and their families who may be highly distressed
- Attend regular team meetings to consider new referrals and allocation of work according to need, taking referrals from members of the multidisciplinary team
- To implement procedures for the effective management and dispersal of financial assistance from the various funds available, including assessing need for assistance and arranging payments
- 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
- To liaise with other professionals involved in child’s care, for example teachers, social workers, community nurses, etc
- To advise families (and staff as necessary) on welfare benefits, charitable support and volunteer organizations
- Proactively seeking information on eligibility criteria and application processes for charitable assistance

Responsibilities

- To provide practical support advice and assistance to families in line with the agreed framework for the provision of psychosocial support to the hospital
- To work directly with families to provide practical support and assistance, under the supervision of a social worker/senior social worker
- To work directly with children who have a range of health conditions and their families who may be highly distressed. Attend regular team meetings to consider new referrals and allocation of work according to need, taking referrals from members of the multidisciplinary team.
- To implement procedures for the effective management and dispersal of financial assistance from the various funds available, including assessing need for assistance and arranging payments.
- 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. To liaise with other professionals involved in child’s care, for example teachers, social workers, community nurses, etc. This may include communicating sensitive information in an appropriate manner given the high level of stress that families may be experiencing.
- To advise families (and staff as necessary) on welfare benefits, charitable support and volunteer organisations. Proactively seeking information on eligibility criteria and application processes for charitable assistance

FAQs

What are the main responsibilities of the Family Support Officer?

The main responsibilities include providing practical and financial advice, emotional and social support to patients and their families, advocating for community services on behalf of families, making timely referrals to appropriate local services, and working closely with multidisciplinary teams.

How does this role support families in distress?

The Family Support Officer works directly with families to provide practical support and assistance, addressing their emotional needs and helping to navigate the complexities of healthcare and community resources, especially when dealing with children facing health challenges.

Who will I be working with in this role?

You will be working under the supervision of a social worker or senior social worker, alongside other psychosocial staff, clinical staff, benefits advisors, and various professionals involved in the child's care, such as teachers and community nurses.

What kind of training or experience is required for this position?

While specific educational qualifications are not mentioned, experience in social work, family support, or working with vulnerable populations, as well as a compassionate approach to dealing with distressed families, would be advantageous.

How does GOSH ensure a fair hiring process?

GOSH is committed to recruiting based solely on ability and merit, ensuring a hiring process that is fair, open, consistent, and free from bias and discrimination.

Are there any specific community groups that GOSH encourages to apply?

Yes, GOSH particularly welcomes applications from BAME communities, individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and members of the LGBT+ community.

What support is available for employees from diverse backgrounds?

GOSH has various staff networks focused on BAME, LGBT+, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions, and Women's issues, which create a supportive and inclusive work environment for all employees.

Can I seek additional information or an informal visit before applying?

Yes, you can contact Patrick Dodd, Senior Social Worker, at Patrick.dodds@gosh.nhs.uk for additional details or to arrange an informal visit.

What types of support might families receive through the Family Support Officer?

Families may receive advice on welfare benefits, charitable support, volunteer organizations, and assistance with navigating financial resources, as well as emotional support during challenging times.

What is the protocol for managing financial assistance for families?

The Family Support Officer will implement procedures for assessing the need for assistance and arranging payments from various funds to ensure effective support for families in need.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

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Mission & Purpose

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (GOSH) is a national centre of excellence in the provision of specialist children's health care, currently delivering the widest range of specialist care of any children's hospital in the UK. It aspires to offer outcomes for children in the top five in the world. The largest centre in the UK for children with heart or brain problems, and, with UCLH it is the largest centre in Europe for children with cancer. It is the only specialist Biomedical Research Centre for paediatrics, it works in partnership with the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH), part of University College London, and together they form the largest paediatric research and teaching centre in the UK, and one of the largest in the world. The hospital at Great Ormond Street is the only exclusively specialist children's hospital in the UK. It does not have an Accident and Emergency department and largely only accepts specialist referrals from other hospitals and community services. The population of children served by the hospital is characterised by those with multiple disabilities and/or health problems and rare and congenital (present at birth) conditions.