Entitled ‘The role of social workers in palliative, end of life and bereavement care’, the document was developed by the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers in collaboration with the former College of Social Work. The project has also been supported by the national charity for hospice care, Hospice UK.
The resource outlines what palliative care social work involves, sets out the skills and knowledge that palliative care social workers should have, and makes suggestions of steps that people can take to ensure that everyone can get more out of palliative care social work.
It also aims to help all social workers to be ready to support people who are dying or bereaved.
“Social work has an important role in the delivery of meaningful palliative, end of life and bereavement care,” the introduction explains. “Some social workers are palliative care social workers, working in services which specialise in this area of support. All social workers will encounter people who are experiencing loss, the end of life or bereavement.”
The document also features quotes from palliative care social workers, current patients attending drop-in centres and bereaved people.
“I think the most important support is time, the giving of time, people finding time for you, and the freedom to ask questions. Having someone independent to go to just to talk through and to say ‘I’m upset, I’m confused’ and just to gain reassurance, because it’s an awful thing to do, to have to take your loved one and leave them behind – a dreadful thing,” a bereaved man writes.
Dr Ros Taylor, clinical Director at Hospice UK, welcomed the publication of the new resource, commenting: “Palliative care offers a holistic approach to distress and loss. As a doctor working with those facing death, I know that teams are made immeasurably stronger through the inclusion of a palliative social worker. The expertise, skills and family centred approach that they offer is vital. Social workers need a much louder voice in palliative care and Hospice UK welcomes this valuable resource.”
The resource is available to download from the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers website.
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