Principal Responsibilities
As a Family Support Worker you will become one of our ‘People in Pink’, an integral factor in families accessing the support available from Candlelighters. Our People in Pink are typically the first member of the Candlelighters Team a family will meet, and they ensure that families are fully supported on the wards, Day Clinic and The Square. They provide emotional and practical support and facilitate meaningful conversations to help families navigate the challenges they face. Our friendly Family Support Workers are a non-clinical role, they are highly valued by families & hospital staff and are key in a family’s journey.
Position: Family Support Worker
Salary: : £11,120.00 (FTE £24,322.50)
Job Type: Part Time
Location: Leeds
Job Description
Responsible to: Reporting directly to the Candlelighters Family Support Manager with ongoing support
From the Paediatric Oncology Management Team at Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust.
Key relationships: Providing the first point of contact to families on the Paediatric Oncology and
Haematology wards and Day Unit at Leeds General Infirmary & the Radiotherapy Department at St James Hospital, Leeds. Working within the family support team at Candlelighters but also with the wider Multi-disciplinary team.
Responsible for: Supporting families with practical and emotional support. This is from the point of diagnosis and beyond, whether that is on the wards, day unit, Candlelighters Family Support Centre – the Square, or the Candlelighters Cottage. This is a proactive role that requires independent thinking, and a go get attitude.
Job Summary
As a Family Support Worker you will become one of our ‘People in Pink’, an integral factor in families accessing the support available from Candlelighters. Our People in Pink are typically the first member of
The Candlelighters Team a family will meet, and they ensure that families are fully supported on the wards, Day Clinic and The Square. They provide emotional and practical support and facilitate meaningful conversations to help families navigate the challenges they face. Our friendly Family Support Workers are a non-clinical role, they are highly valued by families & hospital staff and are key in a family’s journey.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Emotional and practical support
- Provide practical and emotional support to families when children and young people with cancer are in hospital, based over three wards of the paediatric oncology in-patient unit and on the Paediatric oncology and Haematology Clinic within the Clarendon Wing, Leeds General Infirmary.
- When required, provide practical and emotional support to families when children and young people with cancer are receiving Radiotherapy at St James Hospital, Leeds.
- Be a friendly, welcoming face for families to talk to – ‘The People in Pink’ – offering a brew, a chat, a listening ear, and positive support for all the families
- Provide one-to-one emotional support to parents, siblings, and other family members to help them cope with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
- Facilitate meaningful conversations to support families in expressing their emotions, fears, and concerns.
- Identify additional support needs and refer families to appropriate services when necessary.
- Encourage and support engagement in activities that improve the emotional and physical health of parents, siblings, and children undergoing treatment.
- Host appropriate events and plan activities that create a positive environment for families tailored to their needs.
What we’re looking for:
Essential:
- Good communication and listening skills
- The ability to build and maintain rapport with adults and children
- Remain calm and professional under pressure
- Be flexible and adaptable as you will be required to work weekends
- Problem-solving skills
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries
- Be proactive and have the ability to work independently
- Experience of working with a variety of people of all ages and backgrounds
- Resilient and the ability to cope in emotional situations
- Awareness of own coping mechanisms
Application Process
Application Deadline
November 14th, 2025