Grief Encounter was set up in January 2004 to ensure that bereaved children and their families receive the best possible support following the death of a significant other. We deliver both local and national bereavement services, including a national helpline and online service.
Our Vision: A world where no child grieves alone.
Our Mission: To help bereaved children, young people and their families find hope and healing.
Our Values are very important to us and, as a member of the Grief Encounter team, you would be expected to hold these in your day-to-day work:
- Belonging: Through times of grief we deeply understand the profound influence of community. We honour heritage, diversity and important bonds that nurture our sense of self and our collective contributions to provide hope, healing and fulfilling lives.
- Courage: We’re not afraid to face grief head on and tackle difficult conversations openly and honestly with others. This gives everyone the courage to freely express their emotions and actively participate in making a difference.
- Dedication: We dedicate ourselves to the lives of bereaved children and families. With unwavering resolve, we champion the needs of every child to shape hopeful futures with care, warmth and positivity, nurturing the past, present and future lives.
PURPOSE
To ensure bereaved clients receive appropriate, timely support. The role requires managing a caseload of children, young people and families that require low level bereavement support work.
Tasks include reviewing referral forms, completing administrative tasks and acting as the first point of contact for referrals and enquiries from both bereaved families and third party referrers. Supporting family programmes and volunteers.
JOB SUMMARY
- Calling bereaved families and 3rd party referrers to discuss support options and to assess eligibility for Grief Encounter services.
- Providing guidance and support to callers through calls received on the Grief Encounter support line
- Attending and supporting events with children, young people and families taking place evenings and occasional weekends.
- Supporting volunteers
- Updating client records and ensuring required documentation/forms are completed correctly.
- Holding a caseload of families, including delivering short term support programmes.
- Signposting client to appropriate (external) services.
- General administrative support - including responding to calls, emails, letters, and online submissions from bereaved families wishing to obtain support and/or more information about the organisations and service provision(s).
- To ensure the collection, collation, interpretation, and distribution of accurate data (via online CRM systems) so that activities can be analysed and interpreted for the purposes of funding validation, reporting and service improvement.
- To promote and represent Grief Encounter at relevant events and meetings as agreed with the Senior Management Team
- To work within Grief Encounter’s management and supervision policies.
- To provide guidance to external professionals to answer queries with an emphasis on providing effective, timely support.
- Work within all policies and procedures, including its Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity Policy, Data Protection Policy, and Health & Safety Policy.
MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
General
- Literature creation: Providing written copy and helping to update and maintain literature relevant to Grief Encounter
- Leading on Triage meetings and helpline management to ensure appropriate support/signposting is provided to all referrals received to Grief Encounter
- Development and maintenance of a list of reputable signposting agencies/services for use by staff and Volunteers.
- Supporting the senior management, and other Grief Encounter teams with the development and success of key projects designed to increase the reach of and access to the service(s).
- Leading and supporting resources distribution.
- Any other duties commensurate with this post.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Relevant experience of working with children, young people and families.
- Knowledge and experience of working with a diverse client base
- A good knowledge and understanding of the impact of bereavement on families; or demonstrable transferable skills in a relevant field
- Experience of meeting targets and key performance indicators
- Experience of carrying out risk assessments, in relation to the safeguarding of children and adults
- Good listening, support, and advice skills with the ability to assess the needs of callers
- Good IT skills, including confidence and experience of using data-based systems
- Experience in setting and maintaining professional boundaries
- The ability to deal with work pressures, exercise sound judgement, manage time effectively, meet deadlines, to organise and set priorities for your own work.
- Flexible to work agreed evenings and occasional weekends as required.
- Able to commit to at least 3 office based days per week, with the other 2 working from home as agreed with you manager.
Desirable:
· Experience of working in the child bereavement field.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Do you have relevant experience working with children, young people and their families?
Work Location: Hybrid remote in London NW7 4ST
