JOB DESCRIPTION. Director of Supportive Care and HR Director

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: RESPONSIBLE TO: ACCOUNTABLE TO: Community Participation Lead Director of Supportive Care and HR Director Joint Chief Executives Primary Job Purpose The development and implementation of a compassionate community programme that will encourage the public to participate in the delivery of end of life care to their families, neighbours and community. Background Information St Christopher s believes that people matter. Every person who comes into contact with the hospice, whatever their background or circumstance will receive that care and support they need. Our vision is A world in which all dying people, and those closest to then, have access to the care and support they need, when and wherever they need it. In order to make this vision a reality we have developed five strategic priorities. In order to achieve the priorities, we are interested in facilitating and building networks of support offered by local people living in our area so that we can augment care provided by professionals working in the hospice and beyond. We want to introduce a community development approach to end of life care that will draw on the skills and capabilities of local people and create new capacity. This programme builds on the success of a compassionate neighbours scheme running in East London, which was initiated by St Joseph s hospice. The project recognises the unique

2 contribution individuals, who give time and attention to others in their community, can make to those who face advancing illness or bereavement. With training, support and ongoing mentorship, these individuals can make a significant difference to the social isolation, practical challenges and gaps in care and advocacy that many people who are becoming increasingly unwell or who are bereaved must cope with. When members of a community are able to support others in the same community, care can be more culturally specific and sensitive. As individuals, groups and organisations in a local area become connected in a shared vision to change the experience of people who are approaching the end of life, so a compassionate community is formed. The St Joseph s Compassionate Neighbours project in East London has generated evidence of the powerful outcome for volunteers, or neighbours. As well as developing individual knowledge and skills, they have formed an important cohesive and eloquent group advocating key messages to support dying and loss within communities. There is also evidence that many individuals who engage in a relationship with a compassionate neighbour enjoy enhanced social networks, greater wellbeing and sustained support. Building on this work, St Christopher s will learn from and aim to replicate the model of compassionate neighbours within our local communities. We plan to establish networks of people who will reach out to, and support each other in the face of serious long term illness or bereavement (especially from those communities who do not traditionally access hospice or formal care services). We plan to start this work in the local area of Gipsy Hill, then to extend our efforts to other parts of SE London that the hospice serves. The postholder will enjoy an evolving role in relation to this programme. Initially we are keen that the postholder lead the development of a compassionate community in an area near the hospice. If successful the hospice is keen to replicate the development of additional communities further afield in SE London. At that point it is envisaged that other individuals will be appointed to join the team. Principal Accountabilities 1. To establish a network/networks of volunteers in SE London who are committed to supporting people coming to the end of their life and their families/carers, drawing on and replicating a programme of community participation in end of life care in East London, known as compassionate neighbours 2. To help build and support these networks in their efforts to engage with and support people in their local communities who are seriously ill, dying or bereaved 3. To help other organisations in London and beyond who are interested to undertake similar developments, building on our experience and knowledge in SE London 4. Engage with St Joseph s Hospice to understand the Compassionate neighbours scheme with a view to replicating in SE London Attend the training offered at St Joseph s with a view to replicating it and developing it for roll out in SE London. Work closely and proactively with the project leads at St Joseph s Hospice with a view to adopting processes, policies and practice in SE London that can be adapted over time to fit local preferences.

3 Be the main point of regular contact for St Joseph s hospice and community partners engaged in local replication in SE London. 5. Establish relationships with local organisations, groups and leaders who are interested to become part of a new network/ compassionate community in their local area Find opportunities for the hospice and other stakeholders to listen to the experience of local people related to the processes of dying and loss, to guide the shape of the project in the future. Proactively seek out and develop relationships and partnerships with a range of local stakeholders interested to be part of a compassionate community including local community leaders and others who have strong local networks. Introduce them to the project and invite their involvement as neighbours, beneficiaries, referrers or local champions of the work. Draw on existing connections and intelligence on the part of the hospice and other partners in relation to individuals, groups and communities who may wish to be involved. Establish strong and sustained working relationships with other organisations involved in similar or related work who could offer referrals of individuals who could benefit from a relationship with a compassionate neighbour in the future Identify future mentors and trainers for Compassionate Neighbours drawing on individuals from the hospice, the community and other organisations. Establish formal opportunities for these individuals to learn about the concept of compassionate communities and the principles underpinning this development Be responsible for distribution of web-based information and hard copy materials which describe the programme. Liaise closely with the Communications Team, and Single Point of Contact Team within St Christopher s to publicise the project and its benefits. Liaise with the Communications Team to use social media and specific community interest media to encourage engagement of local people in target communities. Build relationships with, and a database of, stakeholders engaged in the programme in order to maintain regular contact and monitor progress. These will include community leaders, Compassionate Neighbour volunteers, mentors, trainers and local politicians/ccgs. Work with the Communications Team to develop relationships with the local media (especially target communities media) in order that they are aware and can cover local events and stories that describe the work of the Compassionate Neighbours. 6. Establish a network of volunteers (hereafter referred to as compassionate neighbours) who will support people approaching the end of life, their families and carers as part of a compassionate community Establish and roll out a programme of recruitment of individuals interested to train as compassionate neighbours. Provide information, open events and other opportunities that will encourage people to participate Identify and deliver plans for the training of Neighbours. Engage professionals from the hospice where appropriate to provide practical guidance about the processes of dying and bereavement. Establish a personal and long term relationship with each of the compassionate neighbours, proactively learning about their aspirations and strengths related to their interest to become part of a compassionate neighbour.

4 Establish and support regular opportunities for reflection and ongoing learning on the part of the Compassionate Neighbours regarding their experience of this work. This will include facilitating practice development meetings and similar, or organising them in the future, drawing in other facilitators as appropriate 7. Identify and support related initiatives being developed by St Christopher s across SE London Work closely with the Volunteering Strategic lead within the organisation to draw on the expertise of the volunteering department within the hospice and to share learning from the compassionate communities programme Persuasively promote the philosophy, principles and aims of the programme across St Christopher s and more widely so that the value of Compassionate Neighbours become understood and recognised as a key foundation of the organisation s strategic plan Consistently and regularly communicate with hospice services and teams in order to identify possible beneficiary referrals to the project and to integrate compassionate neighbours into their operational policies 8. Contribute to the further replication of compassionate neighbours across London in partnership with St Joseph s Hospice Become familiar with a new major grant supporting the upscaling of the Compassionate Neighbours scheme across London in order to support its roll out, drawing on the experience of its replication in SE London Help meet the milestones and deliverables required of St Joseph s by the funding organisation, providing data and feedback as necessary from SE London, and helping to train new leads in other parts of London Help lead the development of a new social movement in SE London focused on a capital wide network of compassionate neighbours 9. Management of the programme Monitor against budget (income and expenditure), managing adjustments in activity accordingly Monitor the project s outcomes against agreed milestones required by funders and manage adjustments to the project accordingly, including managing/negotiating the outputs of partners With St Joseph s and other partners arrange regular meetings to discuss progress and continue to shape the project Manage a large cohort of c.50 volunteers (Compassionate Neighbours), particularly identifying, meeting and monitoring their development and needs Ensure suitable translation services are available as appropriate for Compassionate Neighbours if English is not their first language Build, train and supervise a team of volunteers (including MSc students) who will collect survey data directly 10. Monitoring and evaluation of the programme s outputs and outcomes Collect and collate data regarding the numbers of people involved in delivering and receiving care via the programme, their satisfaction and any concerns that they have about the project

5 Prepare reports regarding such data for the steering group and senior managers within St Christopher s. 11. Contribute to the dissemination of learning from the project Take part in presenting at seminars at the hospice and conferences at a regional level about the project, particularly contributing to overall learning for the hospice sector on the role of hospices in community development. Be prepared to talk to visitors to the hospice and funders about the project. Contribute to presentations at local and national level regarding the project. Personal Development Identify own learning and development needs in order to meet the key requirements of the post Take responsibility for linking own development needs with the Hospice appraisal and objective setting process Take responsibility for own continuing development by undertaking specific areas of work/projects to develop new skills Take responsibility for own professional development, including keeping up to date with relevant professional and other developments in community development at local and national levels Engage in supervision to support personal and professional development Professional Behaviour: Code of Conduct The post holder must comply with their relevant professional code of conduct at all times, where this exists. All roles have identified competencies to which post-holders will be regularly assessed against. A job description does not constitute a term and condition of employment. It is provided only as a guide to assist employees in the performance of their role. St Christopher s is a fast moving organisation and therefore changes to employees duties may be necessary on occasion. The job description is not intended to be an inflexible or finite list of tasks and may therefore be varied from time to time, after discussion with the post-holder. Safeguarding/MCA and DoLS Staff are required to take responsibility in all areas of work for safeguarding people at risk (both adults and children) from any form of abuse or neglect. When delivering care and support, staff are required to comply with the requirements of legislation relating to care in the UK, including the Care Act (2014), and Mental Health Capacity Act 2005, which incorporates the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). In order to achieve this, all staff are required to read St. Christopher s Safeguarding Policy and Procedure and to participate in both regular training and training updates and to incorporate preventative strategies into their work, as applicable. General All employees are required to undertake the following: To make positive contributions to all internal and external quality and/or best practice measures/processes. To fully participate in the annual appraisal process, to agree targets and objectives with line managers and to report on activity against agreed targets on a regular basis. To fully comply at all times, with St. Christopher s policies and procedures and to take responsibility for own actions/inactions. To fully comply with all mandatory and StC role specific training requirements To act in accordance with workplace legislation/requirements including Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity and Data Protection.

6 To share and model St. Christopher s values and expected behaviours at all times. To fully support and engage with St. Christopher s fundraising activities and initiatives. To participate in all employee engagement activities including team, departmental or other staff meetings as required and to contribute to St. Christopher s annual staff survey. To maintain professional registrations (where applicable) and to keep up to date with mandatory training and other training requirements within own area of specialism/responsibility. Those in managerial or supervisory roles are expected to support the teaching, training and development of staff, and in some cases volunteers, as appropriate. A job description does not constitute a term and condition of employment, it is provided only as a guide to assist employees in the performance of their role. St Christopher s is a fast moving organisation and therefore changes to duties and responsibilities may be necessary on occasion. The job description is not intended to be an inflexible or finite list of tasks and may therefore be varied from time to time in discussion with the post-holder.

7 PERSON SPECIFICATION: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION LEAD Qualifications Essential Desirable Degree level or equivalent Community development qualification Project management qualification Knowledge and Experience Essential Desirable Significant experience of community development as part of a previous role Proven experience of delivering a complex project (expenditure of 100k and/or management of 50+ volunteers) Experience of contributing to grant funding applications of 100k+ Significant level of experience of monitoring project delivery and project expenditure against targets Experience of working with volunteers Experience of communicating new ideas and/or services to diverse/vulnerable communities Significant experience of working autonomously and managing relationships with subcontracted agencies Experience of working with people who face a terminal or life limiting illness Skills and Competencies Essential Desirable Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in order to interact with professionals and members of local communities Proficient IT and social media skills, for example, able to send and receive messages, upload information onto a website, create documents such as agendas, use social media to communicate with stakeholders Proven project management skills, for example able to establish a project plan, identify resources needed, engage others in its implementation Resilient with ability to navigate distressing emotions and support others Good knowledge of the principles of community development Understanding of the multifaceted needs of individuals with life limiting conditions, their families and carers Awareness of challenges and opportunities of working with local community groups to effect change and development Persuasive and able to use knowledge to influence others. Understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working with volunteers Experience of establishing and reporting to a senior management team/board/steering committee Personal Attributes Essential Desirable Must enjoy making and maintaining relationships with a variety of individuals and groups Some flexibility in working times is required to meet evening or weekend demands Must be able to work autonomously Must feel comfortable working with people at the end of life