JOB DESCRIPTION
Grief Encounter was set up in December 2003 to ensure that bereaved
children and their families receive the best possible support following the
death of a parent, sibling and someone close. We deliver both local and
national bereavement services. Please see our website for further
information: www.griefencounter.org.uk
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JOB TITLE:
SALARY:
Bereavement Support Worker
£30,000 per annum (FTE)
LOCATION:
Mill Hill, London NW7 4ST
CONTRACTED HOURS:
40 hours with a 1 hour paid rest break per
day including evening and occasional
weekends
RESPONSIBLE TO:
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Team Leader
Our Vision: A world where no child grieves alone.
Our Mission: To help bereaved children, young people and their families find
hope and healing.
Our Values: As a member of the Grief Encounter team, you will be expected
to hold these in your day to day work:
Through times of grief, we deeply understand the profound
influence of community. We honour heritage, diversity and
the important bonds that nurture our sense of self and our
collective contributions to provide hope, healing and fulfilling
lives.
We’re not afraid to face grief head on and tackle difficult
conversations openly and honestly with others. This gives
Job Description Bereavement Support Worker October 2025_V6
everyone the courage to freely express their emotions and actively participate in
making a difference.
We dedicate ourselves to the lives of bereaved children and
families. With unwavering resolve, we champion the needs
of every child to shape hopeful futures, with care, warmth
and positivity, nurturing the past, present and future lives.
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PURPOSE
To ensure bereaved clients receive appropriate, timely support. Tasks include
reviewing referral forms, completing administrative tasks and acting as the
first point of contact for referrals and enquires from both bereaved families
and third-party referrers. Supporting family programmes and volunteers. The
role will also require managing a small caseload requiring bereavement
support work.
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JOB SUMMARY
• Providing written copies and helping to update and maintain literature
relevant to Grief Encounter.
• Development and maintenance of a list of reputable signposting
agencies/services for use by staff and Volunteers.
• Supporting the senior management, and other Grief Encounter teams
with the development and success of key projects designed to increase
the reach of and access to the service(s).
• Leading and supporting resources distribution.
• Any other duties commensurate with this post.
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MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Calling bereaved families and 3rd party referrers to discuss support and
to assess eligibility for Grief Encounter services.
Job Description Bereavement Support Worker October 2025_V6
• Attending and supporting events with children, young people and
families taking place evenings and occasional weekends.
• Supporting volunteers.
• Updating client records and ensuring required documentation/forms
are completed correctly.
• Holding a caseload of families, including delivering short term support
programmes.
• Signposting client to appropriate (external) services.
• General administrative support – including responding to calls, emails,
letters, and online.
• Managing submissions from bereaved families wishing to obtain
and/or more information about the organisations and service
provision(s).
• Ensuring the collection, collation, interpretation, and distribution of
accurate data (via online CRM systems) so that activities can be
analysed and interpreted for the purposes of funding validation,
reporting and service improvement.
• Promoting and representing Grief Encounter at relevant events and
meetings as agreed with the Senior Management Team.
• Providing guidance to external professionals to answer queries with an
emphasis on providing effective, timely support.
• Working with Grief Encounter’s management and supervision policies.
• Working within all policies and procedures, including the Charity’s
Safeguarding Policies; Equality and Diversity Policy; Data Protection
Policy and Health & Safety Policy.
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CANDIDATE PROFILE
Essential Skills & Experience
Job Description Bereavement Support Worker October 2025_V6
• Relevant experience of working with children, young people and
families;
• Knowledge and experience of working with a diverse client base;
• A good knowledge and understanding of the impact of bereavement
on families: or demonstrable transferable skills in a relevant field;
• Experience of meeting targets and key performance indicators;
• Experience of carrying out risk assessments, in relation to the
safeguarding of children and adults;
• Good listening support, and advise skills with the ability to assess the
needs of callers;
• Good IT skills, including confidence and experience of using data-based
systems;
• Experience in setting and maintain professional boundaries;
• The ability to deal with work pressures, exercise sound judgement,
manage time effectively, meet deadlines, to organise and set priorities
for your own work;
• Flexible to work agreed evenings and occasional weekends as required;
Desirable
• Experience of working in child bereavement field;
• Counselling Skills, social work qualification or other relevant
qualifications or experience.
Personal Attributes
• Proactive and solution-oriented, with a positive attitude;
• Empathetic and respectful when dealing with sensitive topics;
• A collaborative team player who is also comfortable working
independently;
• Willing to travel across London and occasionally attend events outside
of London and/or regular hours (Time off in lieu (TOIL) will be provided
as appropriate).
Job Description Bereavement Support Worker October 2025_V6
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Data Protection / Confidentially
• All employees are subject to legal requirements to protect data in
accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018
• All staff are expected to maintain strict confidentiality in respect of
client and records and information.
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Equal Opportunities
• All employees must comply with Grief Encounter’s Equality and
Diversity policies and procedures.
• This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service
check
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• All roles at Grief Encounter are directly or indirectly involved in income
generation and supporter engagement. This may include attending
fundraising events, such the London Marathon, Royal Parks and our Bi-
annual Gala Dinner, either as a participant, cheerer, or to provide
support in other ways.
Job Description Bereavement Support Worker October 2025_V6