Job Summary
We are looking for a kind and compassionate person to join our Family Support team, supporting families while they are in hospital in London and Surrey. You’ll support families whose child has cancer or a life‑challenging condition, offering emotional and practical support when it’s most needed and helping families feel less alone during some of their most difficult times.
As a Hospital Family Support Worker, you’ll split your time between families: visiting them inpatients on the ward or as an outpatient, and keeping in touch when they are not in hospital via phone, email or text. Whether sitting with a parent at their child’s hospital bedside, supporting a teenager on the ward, or collaborating with hospital teams and Momentum community colleagues, you’ll deliver a seamless and impactful service, ensuring continuity of support beyond hospital stays.
Main duties of the job
Ideally, your hours will be spread across five days; we are open to discussion on this. You will also have regular peer support, clinical supervision, and opportunities to develop your skills. You’ll be part of a small, friendly, and passionate team which looks out for each other just as much as we look out for the families we support.
Working in Hospital
- Visit your assigned hospitals across London and Surrey, including Royal Marsden Sutton, Evelina London SE1, Kingston Hospital, St George’s Tooting, St Peter’s Chertsey, Royal Surrey Guildford and Epsom Hospital, as service need dictates.
- Visit families in selective Intensive Care Units when families are experiencing critical illness and uncertainty.
- Build strong, positive relationships with hospital staff and other professionals; attend Multi‑Disciplinary Team meetings, share professional knowledge, maintain accurate records and report back as required.
- Deliver presentations in hospital to raise awareness of Momentum.
- Follow hospital policies on infection control, dress code and safeguarding at all times.
- May be required to work a Saturday, taking time back during the week.
Supporting Families
- Provide compassionate, age‑appropriate support to families, children and young people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Offer emotional and practical support tailored to each family’s situation, listening closely and responding with care from the moment they are referred.
- Manage your own caseload, prioritising contact based on need and ensuring families always feel supported.
- Connect families to relevant services – such as therapies, respite breaks and family experiences – including trusted external organisations when needed.
- Recognise the needs of siblings, grandparents and carers and help them find the right support.
- Support families under palliative care with compassion and sensitivity.
- Work closely with our Echoes team to ensure bereaved families transition to specialist support smoothly and with care.
- Make sure every family feels part of Momentum for as long as they need us.
Professional Responsibilities
- Refer families into Momentum’s support service in line with the criteria required for referral.
- Keep clear, accurate and confidential records of your work on our secure database (Salesforce).
- Work independently, in line with our operational plan and report back to the Senior Family Support Worker.
- Collaborate within the Family Support Team (Hospital & Community) managing and reporting on caseload.
- Share stories, photos and anonymised family updates (with consent) to help the charity’s fundraising and communications.
- Attend team meetings, clinical supervision and training (some virtual, some at our office near Hampton Court Station, Surrey).
- Act promptly on any safeguarding concerns in line with Momentum’s policies.
- Follow all guidelines for lone working, safeguarding, data protection and health & safety.
- Take on additional tasks that help us deliver our family support services, for example managing family events such as family days out.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Experience working directly with children, young people and families, demonstrating sensitivity to their unique needs.
- A natural ability to build rapport, good listening skills and the ability to put people at ease.
- Excellent understanding of professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Good time‑management skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload independently.
- A calm, empathetic, compassionate approach – especially in emotional or sensitive situations.
- Proficiency in using IT systems including Microsoft Office, databases and calendar management.
- Capability to keep clear and accurate notes.
- Ateam player willing to collaborate and share learning with colleagues.
- Reliable internet connection at home for effective remote working where needed.
Desirable
- Experience working with young adults.
- Experience in a charity or healthcare setting.
- Familiarity with hospital environments and working alongside NHS professionals.
- Sound knowledge of safeguarding for children, young people and adults at risk.
- Experience in bereavement or social work.
- Possession of a valid UK driving licence and access to a car.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly CRB) is required to confirm no relevant criminal convictions.
Employment Details
- Pay: £29,000 a year (£18,850 pro rata for 26 hrs per week)
- Contract: Fixed term (1 year)
- Working pattern: Part‑time
- Location: Field‑based role across London and Surrey hospitals
- Monthly Meeting: 11a Creek Road, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9BE, United Kingdom
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