Volunteer Children and Families Support Practitioner

Could you make a difference to a child or young person experiencing grief?

The Shakespeare Hospice is looking for an experienced volunteer to provide regular 1:1 therapeutic bereavement support to children and young people who are experiencing grief, bereavement or living with someone with a life-limiting illness.

This is a specialist volunteer role for someone who already has experience working directly with children or young people in a therapeutic, emotional wellbeing, counselling, bereavement or similar supportive setting.

You do not need to be a qualified counsellor. However, you will need previous experience of providing structured emotional or therapeutic support to children or young people. Training, induction and ongoing supervision will be provided, but this role is not an entry-level children's volunteering position.

What is the role?

As a Volunteer Children & Young People’s Bereavement Support Practitioner, you will provide regular, consistent 1:1 support to children and young people affected by bereavement or serious illness within their family.

Your role is therapeutic but is not counselling. You will provide a safe, supportive and appropriately boundaried relationship where a child or young person can explore their feelings, worries and experiences at their own pace.

Depending on their age and needs, you may use:

• Conversation and active listening
• Creative activities such as art, music, crafts or drama
• Play and other age-appropriate approaches
• Activities that help children express and manage difficult emotions
• Strategies to develop coping skills and emotional resilience

You will primarily work from The Shakespeare Hospice’s Young People’s Hub. Some planned sessions taking place in schools across South Warwickshire may take place if appropriate.

You will work under the guidance and supervision of the Children and Family Support Service Team Lead, alongside the wider team.

What will you need?

We are looking for someone who can bring relevant experience, emotional maturity and strong interpersonal skills to the role.

Essential experience and skills:

You will need:

• Previous experience of working directly with children or young people in a therapeutic, emotional wellbeing, counselling, bereavement or similar supportive role.
• Experience of developing safe, positive and appropriately boundaried relationships with children or young people.
• An understanding of how children and young people may experience and express grief, loss and difficult emotions.
• A good understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Strong listening, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Creative or play-based skills that can be used to engage children and young people.
• A warm, calm, empathic and non-judgemental approach.
• The ability to respond appropriately when a child or young person is distressed or struggling emotionally.
• Self-awareness and a willingness to engage in supervision, reflective practice and ongoing learning.
• Reliability, professionalism and the ability to work independently while also contributing to a wider team.
• A commitment to confidentiality and to working within the boundaries of a non-counselling volunteer role.
• A genuine commitment to supporting children, young people and families affected by bereavement and life-limiting illness.

Particularly desirable:

It would be helpful if you also have:

• Experience supporting bereaved children or young people.
• Experience working with children or young people affected by serious illness, loss or trauma.
• Experience in a school, hospice, healthcare, counselling, family support or youth work setting.
• Relevant training or qualifications in counselling, therapeutic work, children's wellbeing, bereavement or a related area.

Relevant experience may have been gained through paid employment, voluntary work or another appropriate setting.

What commitment is required?

Because consistency is essential when building trusting relationships with children and young people, we ask volunteers to commit to the role for a minimum of 12 months, where possible.

Volunteers will typically support 2–3 children or young people each week, providing regular 1:1 sessions agreed with the Children and Family Support Service Team Lead.

We are looking for volunteers who can offer regular weekly availability and maintain consistency for the children and young people they support.

The role is primarily based at The Shakespeare Hospice, and possibly some outreach work in schools across South Warwickshire.

What support will you receive?

You will receive:

• A full Hospice and role-specific induction.
• Safeguarding and health and safety training.
• Guidance on supporting bereaved children and young people.
• Regular supervision and reflective practice.
• Ongoing training and development.
• Support from the experienced Children and Family Support Team.

You will never be expected to work beyond your skills, experience or the boundaries of the volunteer role.

Why volunteer?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children and young people at an extremely difficult time in their lives.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Make a real difference to children, young people and families experiencing grief.
• Use and develop your existing therapeutic and emotional support skills.
• Gain further experience in children’s bereavement and emotional wellbeing.
• Develop your communication, reflective practice and therapeutic support skills.
• Receive regular supervision and ongoing professional development.
• Become part of a supportive and experienced Children and Family Support Team.
• Contribute to the work of a local hospice supporting people affected by life-limiting illness and bereavement.

About The Shakespeare Hospice

The Shakespeare Hospice provides compassionate care and support to people across South Warwickshire affected by life-limiting illness and bereavement.

Our services include adult community care, Day Hospice, Adult Counselling and Children and Family Support Services.

Our vision is for everyone in our community affected by life-limiting illness or bereavement to have access to the compassionate care and support they need.

Our volunteers are an essential part of the Hospice community and make a significant contribution to the care and support we provide.

Interested?

If you have relevant experience working therapeutically or providing emotional support to children and young people and would like to use your skills to support children experiencing grief, we would love to hear from you.

In your application, please tell us about your relevant experience, particularly any experience supporting children or young people experiencing bereavement, grief, loss or serious illness.

A DBS check will be required for this role.