Job Description

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate

Family Support Officer (FSO)

to join our team on a part-time basis, on a one-year maternity cover contract. Could it be you or someone you know? Applications close at midnight on

Sunday 10th August

.

Total hours:

25 hours a week

Annual salary:

32,640 pro-rata (actual salary 21,760)

Start date:

September 2025 (or as soon as possible)

Normal working hours:

25 hours split across 9am-5.00 pm / Monday to Friday working week (allowing 30 minutes unpaid lunchbreak).

FSOs will require some flexibility outside of normal working hours when delivering support, receiving training, and attending meetings or events.

Location

: The FSO will work across different schools and community settings in the region as well as at the FiG office in central Barnstaple. The role requires a car for travel.

The role:

The primary focus of the FSO role is to provide tailored bereavement support to children, young people, and their families within the North Devon and Torridge area. The FSO will hold an active case load, delivering one-to-one support sessions and supporting the delivery of group sessions including outdoor activities, art workshops, family groups, and family away days. The role will require travel across the region, working in school settings, community venues, and our office at Castle Lodge, Barnstaple. As well as providing practical, empathetic support and delivering a range of group activities, the FSO will work to raise awareness of FiG and strengthen our referral pathways, offering one-to-one support and training where appropriate to schools, medical professionals, and other support services.

For a full job specification and application form please email info@familiesingrief.org.

Job Specification

Main Responsibilities and Duties

To hold a case load of children, young people, and families who have experienced bereavement, providing compassionate, tailored, and effective support via face-to-face visits and telephone/digital communication where appropriate. To ensure that support is timely, well-resourced, and based on a robust assessment of needs. To support the planning and delivery of a range of group programmes for children, young people, and families experiencing grief. To prioritise and manage your own workload, using initiative and liaising productively with the other FSOs to ensure effective and flexible joint working, service delivery, and evaluation and development. To liaise effectively with other professionals/organisations involved with the child/family and be involved in multi-agency work where appropriate. To work with nurseries, schools, colleges, and other agencies/professionals to provide resources, training, and joint support for bereaved children, young people, and their parents/carers. To work collaboratively with the wider FiG team, volunteers, and trustees to achieve the charity's objectives.

Record Keeping

To keep up to date, confidential records of child/family/professional contacts as well as data relating to referrals and subsequent support delivered. To ensure child/family contact records are completed within 48 hours of a visit, meeting, or session. To keep detailed internal records and maintain strong communication between professionals and family members.

Evaluation

To regularly review and adapt practices in relation to FiG's outcomes and strategic vision. To ensure evaluation data is collected, recorded, and collated before and after each stage of FiG support. To collaborate with the CEO to review and reflect upon evaluation data and ensure this information is available to inform progress reports for funders.

Training

To develop, deliver, and evaluate tailored bereavement training for other agencies/organisations as requested.

Communication and Marketing

To contribute feedback from families, testimonials, and photographs where appropriate for use in FiG communications. To present to schools and external organisations where appropriate. To represent FiG on occasions at community and fundraising events.

Personal Development

To undertake appropriate training and personal development, including keeping up to date with child and family bereavement support services and best practice locally and nationally. To undertake safeguarding training level 3 and update it every three years. To participate in regular supervision and ensure the CEO is made aware of any issues of importance or concern. To take part in annual staff appraisals and supervision with CEO.

Governance

To comply with FiG's policies and procedures and remain up-to-date with any changes.

For a full job specification and application form please email info@familiesingrief.org.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 21,760.00 per year

Expected hours: 25 per week

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Barnstaple EX31 1DF

Application deadline: 02/02/2025
Reference ID: Fundraising & Comms Officer (part-time)