Bereavement Support Worker | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 11 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £28,392 - £31,157 per annum |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 10 June 2026 |
| Location: | Bedford, MK42 9DJ |
| Company: | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7974984/418-AHP74984-CW |
Summary
Are you a compassionate and empathetic individual? TheMaternity Bereavement Support Workerplays a vital role in supporting the bereavement midwife and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver a safe, sensitive, and holistic approach to family‑centred bereavement care.
This specialist role supports all aspects of bereavement care for families who have experiencedmiscarriage, medical termination of pregnancy, stillbirth, or neonatal death.
Under appropriate guidance, the post holder will provide compassionate and sensitive care tailored to each family’s individual needs, ensuring dignity and respect at all times.
Following the necessary training and support, the post holder will be required to undertake a defined set of competencies, working alongside the wider midwifery team to deliver clinical care and emotional support to bereaved families.
Applicants must have completed theCare Certificateand possess the full range of skills and competencies expected of aBand 2 Maternity Care AssistantandBand 3 Maternity Support Worker.
Professional Responsibilities
• Work as an effective member of the team, recognising the importance of collaborative working in delivering high‑quality bereavement care.
• Demonstrate excellent skills in compassionate communication with women and their families, and maintain clear, professional liaison with the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Ensure that due regard is given to the customs, values, and spiritual beliefs of families. Maintain awareness of discriminatory attitudes and challenge such behaviour to promote equality.
• Applicants must have completed the Care Certificate and possess the full range of skills and competencies required for a Band 2 Maternity Care Assistant and Band 3 Maternity Support Worker.
Clinical Responsibilities
• Understand the importance of holistic, patient‑focused care, ensuring women are involved in decisions regarding all aspects of their own and their baby’s care and wellbeing.
• Support the management of women’s care by performing clinical baseline observations in accordance with the care plan, promptly escalating any changes in condition to the coordinating midwife.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Human Tissue Authority (HTA) guidance relating to tissue storage and handling, as well as relevant maternity department policies.
• Consistently display sensitivity and compassion when supporting families, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality bereavement care at all times.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Please refer to the Job description and Personal Specification attached to this advert for full details of this role.
This advert closes on Monday 25 May 2026