About the role
Salary: Dependant on experience
Hours: 37.5
Closing date: Tuesday 30th June 2026
Role type: Permanent
Key Areas of Responsibility:
To perform all functions of the post to comply with St David’s Hospice Care policies, aims and guidelines.
To assess and respond to the needs and circumstances of patients, families and carers.
To provide support to bereaved relatives.
To work closely with nursing/medical colleagues to co-ordinate discharge planning for patients from the inpatient hospice.
Advocate for and with patients, families carers and support people to access services appropriate to their needs.
To make and sustain links with external agencies relevant to the provision of palliative care at St David’s Hospice Care.
To manage an individual caseload and associated administrative tasks in an efficient and effective way, using IT systems and software as appropriate.
Manage and be accountable, with supervision and support, for own social work practice and maintain accurate and up to date records and files at all times.
To set appropriate boundaries and disengage from work with service users and others in timely fashion.
To be aware of and keep self updated on national, regional and local issues and plans relevant to palliative care and bereavement services.
To promote and develop the role of the social worker within the organisation and beyond.
Additional Duties:
To participate in the educational programme of teaching to the multi-professional teams and on external courses as needed.
To mentor students.
All job descriptions are subject to review. Job holders are expected to be flexible and be prepared to carry out any similar or related duties which do not fall within the work outlined. Any review will be undertaken by the line manager, in consultation with the post holder.
Other Information
Unsociable Hours: There may be an occasional need for unsociable hours, e.g. attendance at fundraising events, meetings and conferences. Time in lieu will be given in respect of this.
No Smoking Policy: St David's Hospice Care Hospice Care operates a No Smoking policy. The post holder should either be a non-smoker or be prepared not to smoke in any Charity premises, grounds or vehicles, when on Charity business or within working hours.
Conditions of Service: In accordance with St. David’s Hospice Care Employee Handbook.
Pension Scheme: A Company Pension Scheme is offered on appointment. Staff may also prefer to make their own arrangements.
Confidentiality: All information concerning patients/clients and staff must be treated as strictly confidential at all times.
This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to change as indicated by the
needs of the Hospice
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
- Qualification in social work (e.g. CQSW, DipSW, Degree or Masters in SW or equivalent).
- Registered with The Care Council for Wales.
- Post qualifying award in social work.
- Training in palliative care/bereavement/counselling, or willingness to develop skills needed.
Practice Teaching and Assessing experience, or willingness to train.
Knowledge and Experience
- Experience of working in a multi professional context.
- Good working knowledge of legislation and eligibility relevant to adult health and social care, safeguarding and capacity.
- To have sound knowledge of social work models and the ability to apply theory and put research to practice.
- An understanding of the physical and emotional needs relating to users of palliative care services.
- Experience of working with adults with palliative illness.
- Experience of working with bereaved families.
- Experience of working with carers
- Willingness to teach as part of the St David’s education programme.
Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent assessment and risk management skills.
- Ability to identify and communicate complex social issues and liaise at all levels.
- Ability to self-manage and able to work under own initiative.
- Ability to manage a busy workload across the community, day hospice and inpatient hospice.
- Ability to work proactively with individuals to promote their choices and wishes in order to achieve the best outcomes.
- Ability to understand and respect confidentiality
- Ability to develop effective and constructive working relationships within the organisation and with other agencies.
- Ability to work in groups
- Ability to use information technology
- Understanding of welfare benefit entitlements
- Understanding of the position of a voluntary hospice organisation.
Qualities/
Attributes
- Ability to provide compassionate, person centred support.
- Commitment to continually develop and update professional knowledge and development, and utilise supervision effectively.
- Have real enthusiasm and energy for the role, team and the objectives of St David’s Hospice Care and contribute positively to the organisation at all times.
- High standards of personal hygiene and appearance.
To be able to mentor and develop other members of the team (students, volunteers and unqualified staff).
Willingness to contribute to the development of the service.
Other Information
Health and Safety
To ensure that the agreed procedures are carried out and be aware of the responsibilities placed on employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act. To maintain a safe environment for employees and visitors.
Data Protection
If you are required to do so, process and/or use information held on a computer or word processor in a fair and lawful way. To hold data only for specific registered purposes and not to disclose it in any way incompatible with such a purpose. To disclose data to authorised persons or organisations as instructed.
Equal Opportunities
It is the aim of St David's Hospice Care (SDHC) to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, colour, nationality or ethnic origins, or is placed at a disadvantage by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. To this end, SDHC has an Equal Opportunities Policy and it is for each employee to contribute to its success.
No Smoking Policy
SDHC operates a No Smoking policy.
Conditions of Service:
In accordance with SDHC Employment Manual.
Pension Scheme
A Pension Scheme is offered on appointment. Staff may prefer to make their own arrangements.
Confidentiality
All information concerning patients/clients and staff must be treated as strictly confidential at all times.
