Bereavement Support Lead

Bereavement Support Services Lead (Digital). This is a rewarding and key role in the Bereavement Support Services team. The team provides a wide range of services, including the Helpline, Online Community, memory making, and print materials. The aim of this post is to provide operational and line management so that the BSS team can provide consistent, high-quality emotional support to bereaved families who seek support from Sands, as well as supervising the work of the Bereavement Support Officers on the frontline. As our digital support continues to grow and develop, we are looking for someone to support and inspire the team in this expanding area, working closely with Sands’ Bereavement Support Digital Coordinator. The Bereavement Support Services Team offers 1-2-1 support via telephone, email and other digital channels, and is usually open from 10-3 from Monday to Friday and 6-9pm from Tuesday to Thursday with occasional extended opening hours. Support is also available through digital channels; our Online Community, direct messenger on Instagram and Facebook and various closed groups on Facebook which need to be regularly monitored and moderated to provide a safe, user-led space accessible to all. In future a wider range of channels may be used. There are three Bereavement Support Leads (BSLs) including this post holder, and between them they are expected to cover all regular opening hours on a rota basis. Each shift will start 30 minutes before the helpline opens and end 30 minutes after the helpline closes, and BSLs will divide up the week in order to be present during shifts and ensure at least one BSL or the Head of BSS is available to the team 9am-4pm Monday to Friday and 5.30pm-9.30pm Tuesday to Thursday for safeguarding and general support. The role will be split between operational management of the BSS team, line management of BSSOs, supporting and contributing to other strands of bereavement support work, as well as some direct work on all of the support channels.