Pete’s Dragons is an award-winning charity which provides post-vention support to those affected by suicide.
As the Charity continues to grow we need to increase the number of Suicide Bereavement Specialists who provide the Charity's postvention offering across Devon. An opportunity for a new Suicide Bereavement Specialist has arisen working from our office located in Barnstaple. You must be willing and able to easily commute to the office.
Job Summary
The role of the Suicide Bereavement Specialist is to provide a proactive and timely community-based support to individuals, families, groups and/or communities who have experienced a suicide loss.
The hours for this role are 24 to 32 hours per week.
**Required working days negotiable, depending on office base.
*Please note: Ability to travel is an essential part of this role.
The starting salary for this role is £27,500 per annum (full-time equivalent), paid pro rata for the contracted hours. Following successful completion of the six-month probationary period, salary will be reviewed in line with the Charity's pay band scheme and thereafter reviewed annually.
Main duties
Support
Offer a sensitive, compassionate and needs-led service to individuals, families, groups or communities affected or bereaved by suicide.
Offer rapid response (within 48 hours), information and support to individuals, families, groups or communities who have been bereaved by suicide, in their home or other agreed settings, and follow with ongoing practical and emotional support; mainly through non-clinical interventions that promote coping and resilience so our beneficiaries can face and overcome their traumatic bereavement.
Exercise good judgement in assessing each case and establishing the most appropriate steps for ongoing support, signposting or onward referral.
Co-ordinate where necessary, a safeguarding response in line with local practices and services to ensure that an individual is safe and has an organised package of care to ensure they survive their crisis in the most helpful manner for them.
Produce an area-specific suicide bereavement resources pack to include all relevant information on support services and processes following a suicide death.
Develop strong relationships with key agencies and first responders in the area to establish ways to connect bereaved individuals in a timely and helpful manner (e.g. police, emergency services, clergy, child services, coroners, funeral directors).
Contribute to critical incident responses where appropriate and take an active role where possible.
Assist with the early identification of potential suicide connected deaths and liaise with the Pete’s Dragons suicide surveillance team and appropriate stakeholders and relevant agencies, to ensure timely and appropriate coordinated responses.
Undertake collaborative multidisciplinary work to uphold safety and support for the communities of need (e.g. working with school staff, mental health staff, peers, or family members) to ensure they are contained by well-informed communities.
Administration
Work internally with the Senior Management Team, suicide bereavement colleagues, placement counsellors and therapists and in conjunction with external agencies to ensure parity of service across the whole of the County of Devon.
Maintain timely administrative updates on the Pete’s Dragons’ case management system.
Maintain an effective and efficient diary of appointments.
Participate in the implementation and promotion of the Devon Suicide Prevention Implementation Plan and understand how the role of both the Suicide Bereavement Specialist and Pete’s Dragons fits within it.
Contribute to training/awareness raising in suicide bereavement.
Gather and report on all qualitative and quantitative data required in relation to monthly activities and casework.
Adhere to all Pete’s Dragons’ policies and procedures and ensure security and confidentiality of all related data.
Attributes
Willing to take personal responsibility for delivering high quality results.
Flexible in approach and able to work on own initiative with minimum supervision, prioritising time and workload appropriately.
Able to take an active role in community engagement in the main geographical area of operation in awareness and fundraising.
Passionate about promoting and maintaining the ethos of Pete’s Dragons which is rooted in compassion, care and hope.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £14.10-£15.90 per hour
Benefits:
- Bereavement leave
- Company events
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
