Child Bereavement Specialist
Listed on 2026-10-05
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Social Work
Mental Health
About Us
Rowans Hospice is a charity that provides free care and support to adults and their families living in the Portsmouth and South-East Hampshire region who have a life-limiting illness. Established in 1994, our income is generated by ongoing support of the local community, donations, legacies, fundraising and through our retail shops.
The RoleThe Child Bereavement Specialist will work within the Meerkats Team, which is managed by the Child Bereavement Manager, who is responsible to the Child Bereavement Lead. The role is based at Rowans Hospice, Purbrook. The Child Bereavement Specialist provides specialist pre and post bereavement support to children and young people up to the age of 18 who have a significant adult with a life limiting illness or who have died.
The role will continue development and delivery of the Meerkat Service at Rowans Hospice, delivering high quality, developmentally appropriate psychosocial assessments and therapeutic interventions within the adult hospice setting, recognising the unique impact of life limiting illness and bereavement on children and families. You will work collaboratively with hospice colleagues and external partners to ensure children’s needs are identified early and responded to appropriately.
Key Responsibilities- Undertake specialist psychosocial assessments of children, young people and families affected by serious illness or bereavement, demonstrating respect for each child’s developmental stage and lived experience
- Identify emotional and psychosocial needs and support families in responding to these with honesty and clarity
- Provide developmentally appropriate pre and post bereavement support through individual sessions, family guidance and group work
- Provide guidance to parents, carers and other adults supporting children through illness and bereavement, ensuring they feel valued and informed
- Maintain an active clinical caseload and prioritise referrals according to clinical need and service capacity
- Support children experiencing anticipatory grief when a significant adult has a life limiting illness
- Provide post bereavement support to children and families following the death of a significant adult
- Facilitate group support programmes for children and young people where appropriate
- Respond to crisis situations involving families when required, acting with Trust and calm professionalism.
- Company pension (NHS pension retained if transferring from NHS)
- Continuous service recognised if transferring from NHS
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free parking
- DSE equipment & uniforms provided
- Generous holiday allowance
- Career development opportunities
- Blue Light Card membership
Rowans Hospice is committed to
equal opportunities and inclusion
in the workplace, welcoming applications from all backgrounds.
Rowans Hospice is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all children and vulnerable adults needing our care and support. Subsequently, our recruitment process is thorough, ensuring a consistent and detailed approach to gather information from and about candidates so that all persons appointed are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.
Closing date: 01 May 2026
First Stage Interview date: 12 May 2026
Second Stage Interview date: 14 May 2026
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