Application form

Based at the Hospice of St Francis and occasionally in the local community, your role will be:

• To provide pre and post-bereavement support for children connected to those that the Hospice of St. Francis is caring, or has cared for.
• To provide pre and post-bereavement support for children connected to any illness/ death in our catchment area upon appropriate external referral in line with the Children in Need bid, taking into consideration our capacity.

Typical duties will include:

• Supporting a case load of 2 or more clients at any one time.
• Consulting with the Service Leads regarding progress of clients and discuss any issues arising regarding further support plans should it emerge that this may be / has become necessary.
• Facilitating child-centred play or activities appropriate to age and circumstance that offer opportunity and space to explore thoughts and feelings. Materials and resources are available from our service leads
• Ensuring necessary administration tasks are kept up to date and in accordance with hospice standards and submit records to the Service Administrators
• Reviewing and reflecting on own practice via regular supervision and annual reviews.
• Regularly attending training events to further personal and professional development.
• Providing a written account of every contact with a client (including any outside professional, meeting, and session) to facilitate the hospice system records and safety of clients.

Volunteers will be expected to:

• Arrange with the Children and Young Person’s Support Lead the days and times you are available, and if doing school visits the catchment area you are prepared to cover.
• Inform the Service Lead immediately should you feel that any person (yourself, staff, clients: adult/child) might be ‘at risk’ and follow safeguarding procedures. 
• If visiting a school, behave in such a way that communicates professionalism, yet warmth and genuine positive regard.
• Receive details of referrals, keeping information confidential at all times.
• Be non-judgemental and work with person-centred approach; the volunteer aims to listen and empathise and, when appropriate, give or source information.
• Be aware of policy, procedures and guidelines, i.e. the Protection of Vulnerable Children, and Keeping Children Safe policy.
• Accept responsibility for meeting the commitment of the role/s agreed; in terms of safeguarding, punctuality, reliability, confidentiality, record keeping and professionalism.
• Attend regular supervision and asked to attend at least 8 of the group supervision sessions provided each year
• Attend all mandatory training sessions and obtain an enhanced DBS certificate before starting in the role. PLEASE NOTE, THE TRAINING DATES FOR THIS ROLE ARE OVER 3 FULL DAYS: 01.10.26, 08.10.26, 15.10.26

This is an amazing volunteering role and a chance to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people within the community. If you are interested in this role then please register using the below link and our Family Support team will be in touch for an informal follow up chat. You can also contact our friendly Voluntary Services Team for more information by emailing volunteering@stfrancis.org.uk