Professional functions of social worker

To carry professional responsibility for a caseload across hospital, hospice and community settings as part of the palliative care multidisciplinary team

To lead on the assessment of complex emotional and psychological issues for palliative care service users/carers

To assess need and provide continuing emotional support using well developed counselling skills where appropriate

To facilitate people’s choice and participation in service planning, and to ensure that their wishes are understood by service providers

To work collaboratively with service users, carers and service providers through negotiation and liaison

To develop knowledge of local and Network wide palliative care resources (including financial) to meet client/carer needs through negotiation with service providers

To regularly review service user needs, thus ensuring that all services contribute effectively to the overall care plan

To formulate, implement and review individual care plans through assessment and commissioning processes

To maintain all records and documentation, and utilise the electronic patient record via the Palliative Care Team and Social work databases