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JOB PROFILE

JOB TITLE: Support Professional for Brain Tumour Support

BASED AT: Home

RESPONSIBLE TO: Support Services Manager

HOURS: 21

LOCATION: South East Wales; Wales – virtually

SALARY: £13,286.07 (WTE £22,143.45)

JOB SUMMARY:

To support those affected by any type of brain tumour, by offering a holistic approach to support, information and guidance appropriate to the individual’s need. The support service uses a range of communication options including telephone, text, email, virtual chats, one-to-one virtual meetings, virtual group meetings, face-to-face meetings and group meetings when situations allow.

To apply, please fill in the Application form on https://www.braintumoursupport.co.uk/work-with-us

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supporting Clients

• Client support needs – Consider the new referral’s support needs, undertake a needs assessment and create a client contract, on Zoom where possible; refer on to other services if relevant, agree with client how to support their needs and decide what the next stage of support will be (if any).
• Organise virtual support – Be responsible for arranging virtual support chats with clients on a one- to-one basis, in small groups discussing a specific topic or in larger support groups, to enable clients to be connected with those who understand their situation and to create a safe space that will allow clients to express themselves and release emotion.
• Organise quarterly regional support groups – Organise and facilitate Brain Tumour Support groups in the area specified (SE Wales) (when the situation allows), including the booking of rooms and refreshments, inviting and encouraging patients and families to book to attend; facilitate the discussion and ensure that there is a safe and supportive environment. Book topical speakers as led by the needs of the group.
• Client clinics – Organise a suitable venue for a client clinic to be held to accommodate pre booked client appointments following on from or prior to a support group. Make contact with clients prior to the clinic to be able to prepare any research work that may be needed to ensure that the session is productive.
• Face-to-face client work – In certain circumstances face-to-face client contact may be required. With prior approval from the line manager, meet with the client on a one to one basis or at a social group.
• On-going communication and client contract – Establish appropriate on-going communication and support with patients and families to create a bespoke client contract. Pro-actively engage in client support opportunities (such as Facebook), and offer re-active support when the client has active needs. Establish ongoing communication with volunteers and colleagues and take part in required team development sessions relating to client support.
• Case management – Take responsibility within the role to effectively manage a caseload, ensuring that clients are appropriately categorised to reflect the nature and urgency of the support they require at any one time. Working within agreed guidelines, ensure that clients are not held beyond their acute support needs, that clients are updated appropriately and that they understand that they can refer back into the services at any time thereby becoming a new client.
• Safeguarding – Be alert to potential safeguarding issues with clients and follow the BTS Safeguarding procedure. Attend mandatory safeguarding training.

Promoting Support and Networking

• Promoting support – Raise awareness of the BTS support that is available by engaging with neuro- oncology teams, sharing digital leaflets, promoting virtual support groups or virtual information groups, social groups and quarterly support groups & clinics. Also, attend appropriate meetings as agreed in advance with your Line Manager and act on behalf of the charity at events. You may be required to deliver presentations about BTS support services.
• Information provision – Provide relevant national and local information to patients and families and keep up-to-date with the latest developments in treatments, support and information on brain tumours.
• Relationship building – Build relationships with NHS professionals and key stakeholders in other organisations who can offer support to the BTS patient group.

Data Management, Admin

• GDPR – All activities are to be carried out within the governance of GDPR including protection and storage of personal data. Timely completion of the GDPR spreadsheet is mandatory by all staff. Any data breach to be reported to your Line Manager immediately.
• Data management – Ensure client details are kept up-to-date and accurate on the Charity Log database in line with both charity and other legal requirements. Supply weekly and monthly data reports where appropriate as requested.
• Data collection & evaluation – Record all contacts with clients or support given via Facebook (post comments, live sessions, pod cast sessions, support specific Facebook groups), one off support requests over the telephone or email. Record group and clinic information onto Charity Log. Regularly review and evaluate the effectiveness of the support you offer. Report any evaluation considerations to the Line Manager.
• General admin – Communicate effectively to ensure that the service runs smoothly and that the database (Charity Log), website, publicity and fundraising materials are available for clients and BTS.

Volunteer Management

• Liaise with and assist the Volunteer Coordinator – to ensure local volunteer led social groups are held monthly, their aim being to facilitate friendship and peer support among clients. Social groups will be held in community spaces, cafés or social environments. Attendance may occasionally be requested
• Volunteers – Support the Volunteer Coordinator, when appropriate and if requested, in the supervision, encouragement and development of volunteers.
• Recruitment of Volunteers – assist the Volunteer Coordinator by raising awareness of volunteering opportunities in BTS, both specifically with clients but also more broadly with clinical teams and relevant stakeholders

Raising Awareness of Brain Tumour Support

• Raising awareness and funds for the organisation is an integral requirement of all Brain Tumour Support staff roles. Representing the organisation and sharing the work we do, in order to secure funds and encourage fundraising, is required wherever opportunities present themselves. This may involve or include attending donor meetings or events to represent Brain Tumour Support and thank our donors.
• All staff are encouraged to volunteer at least 3-4 times throughout the year to attend and support fundraising events and activities and help raise the profile of the organisation.

General

• Mandatory training – It is a requirement of the role that you will complete all mandatory training in a timely manner. In addition to mandatory training you will have an agreed training and development plan to monitor your own personal and professional development. It is your responsibility to maintain your training records and provide evidence of courses as required.
• Miscellaneous – To undertake any other tasks appropriate to the role.

A degree of flexibility may still be required in this role due to Covid-19 and the changes we have been forced to make to our support services. Our face-to-face support has transitioned to digital support during this time and therefore our service provision is currently under review.

THIS JOB WILL REQUIRE:

DBS check

The role is subject to enhanced DBS check which will be renewed by the Charity every three years.

It is your responsibility to supply documentation and ID in a timely manner for completion.

Working from home

The Support provision will be delivered in a mixed format of communications requiring a good internet service and telephone connection.

Although there will be regular opportunities to share thoughts and ideas with colleagues the role requires someone who is experienced at, and comfortable with, lone working.

Space will be needed to store equipment, reference materials and to store confidential information securely.

Emotional resilience

There is no cure for brain cancer so many of the people that the post holder will come into contact with will face loss and/or bereavement at some point. You will be supporting vulnerable adults and children and your caseload will be of a variable nature and intensity. Strong emotional resilience is a must to be an effective Support Professional.

To support you in your role you will be required to attend regular supervision sessions.

Professional conduct

To ensure professionalism in this role, the post holder will be expected to undertake continual professional and personal development and to be a part of the charity's appraisal process and personal supervision requirements. Your conduct with associates is expected to remain professional at all times and reflect the values of the Charity.

Confidentiality

The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients and their families, staff, volunteers and other charity business. The work is of a confidential nature and information gained must not be communicated to other persons except in the recognised course of duty. The Post Holder must comply with GDPR and report any concerns of breach immediately to their Line Manager.

Travel

There will be travel involved with this post. All travel must be pre-approved by your Line Manager. Travel expenses will be paid according to the charity’s Travel Expenses Policy. It is a charity expectation that all staff will keep travel expenses to a minimum. It is a requirement that in order to claim mileage expenses you must have business cover on your car insurance at your own expense. Your policy certificate should be provided to the Finance Manager annually.

Flexibility

It is envisaged that the post holder will be required to work 21 hours over 3 days. However, a degree of flexibility is required as at times those hours may fall between 8am and 9pm and may include weekends.

Conditions of employment

In light of legislation (Section 8 Asylum and Immigration Act, January 1997), as a condition of being able to commence employment with Brain Tumour Support, the successful candidate will be required to provide documentation to prove that they are able to work in the UK. Such documents will include one or more of the following, as appropriate: -

• National Insurance Number
• Birth certificate or British passport
• Certificate of registration, or naturalisation as a British Citizen
• Passport or documentation evidencing citizenship of an EEA country

ABOUT BRAIN TUMOUR SUPPORT

Brain Tumour Support (registered charity 1163856) was founded in South Gloucestershire in 2003. A small team, headed by the Chief Executive, runs the charity together with a Board of Trustees who provide governance and direction for the charity.

The charity’s vision is to ensure that no one is alone when facing the effects of a brain tumour diagnosis. The charity currently has nine (including Wales) Support Professionals who provide support to families who have been affected by a brain tumour.

The team is passionate about making a difference to the lives of patients and families who are living with a brain tumour and is committed to the task of ensuring that life is made better for this group of people.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

JOB ROLE: Support Professional for Brain Tumour Support

JOB CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

Qualifications and Training

Numerate and literate with good standard of education
Cancer Support Course
Effective communication, advanced listening and communications skills e.g. Level 2 in counselling skills, cancer awareness

ECDL or equivalent in Word, Email,
Use of computers

Knowledge

Understanding of the impact that the NHS and other health and social care diagnosis of a brain tumour has on people providers in the area affected

Principles of support and counselling
Boundaries relating to support (note: this is not a counselling role)

Confidentiality Information relevant to people affected by a brain tumour

How to build rapport and relationships

Group dynamics and potential issues

GDPR training and awareness

Safeguarding training and awareness

Experience

Supporting or advocating for someone with a Assessing needs in a health/social care life limiting or threatening illness environment

Working as part of a team Charity or volunteer work

Facilitating groups Working with/managing volunteers

Experience of supporting/advocating for someone with a brain tumour

Understanding of the principles and boundaries of advocacy; willingness to undertake advocacy training

Raising awareness

Having regular supervision and working within/contributing to reflective practice with peers

Skills and Interpersonal skills

active listening, Use presentation tools, appropriate questioning, body language, building rapport

Observational skills and attention to detail

Influencing skills - able to communicate with and influence a wide variety of individuals

Effective written and verbal communication, including one to one and group work; use of communication tools

I.T Skills. – use email, word, excel, databases and customer relationship management/caseload systems, smart mobile phone, digital meeting platforms

Social Media experience i.e. Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram

Able to organise and prioritise work and case load, manage time, self-motivate

Able to remain calm and objective, appear confident but be approachable

Able to deal with complex and difficult emotional situations

Able to support others without becoming emotionally attached or distressed

Able to recognise own limitations

Able to work alone and within a team

Qualities

Self-awareness
Emotional resilience
Empathy
Genuineness
Trustworthy
Enthusiasm
Initiative

Other

Driving Licence and use of a car
DBS clearance
Willingness to learn new skills
Live within the location of the geographical work area (or close proximity)

To apply, please fill in the Application form on https://www.braintumoursupport.co.uk/work-with-us

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: £22,143.45 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift

Work Location: Remote