Palliative Care Social Worker

Post Ref: CC080

Please note: Internal applicants applying for a secondment opportunity must have approval from their line manager before submitting an application.

If you are ready to work with compassion, creativity and courage, and want to play a part in helping people live their largest life right to the very end, then this is the role for you.

In Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, we like to do things differently. We are distinctive, diverse, kind and inclusive. Our Adult Services and Wellbeing 2034 Vision is simple but powerful:

People are supported to live their largest life. We will always be kind and compassionate, creative and bold in helping people achieve their hopes and dreams. People are at the heart of all we do, they will feel valued and have an equal voice in their care and support. We will always respect people’s strengths and support them to be connected to their communities.

The Palliative Care Social Work Team plays a unique role in bringing this vision to life for people in Calderdale who are living with a palliative condition and are in the last 12 months of their life.

The Role
As a Social Worker in our dedicated Palliative Care Team, you will work alongside people, their families and carers at one of the most important stages of life.

Every day is about:
• Listening carefully to what matters most and helping people define what a “good life” and a “good death” means to them.
• Having sensitive, respectful conversations about wishes, advance decisions and after-death arrangements.
• Supporting carers and families, recognising their strengths while offering the right level of help, advocacy and reassurance.
• Working with health partners; hospices, district nurses, palliative care teams, GPs and voluntary organisations, to create seamless, compassionate support.
• Ensuring people’s rights are upheld through strong practice in safeguarding, the Care Act 2014, and the Mental Capacity Act.
• Using creativity to make a difference: from arranging memory boxes to supporting someone’s wish to take a final holiday, you’ll help people achieve the things that matter most.

It is challenging and emotional work, but it is also some of the most rewarding social work you will ever do.

What we are looking for
We are looking for Social Workers who share our values and who can bring:
Compassion and resilience – the ability to sit with people in difficult times, listen deeply, and support them with kindness and professionalism.
Strong practice knowledge – an understanding of adult social care, safeguarding, the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act, and the confidence to apply them.
Creativity and resourcefulness – knowing that sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference.
Collaboration – working as part of a multi-professional team, with families, carers and community networks.
Values-led approach – respect for dignity, inclusion and diversity; a commitment to supporting people’s rights, independence and control.
We would especially welcome applications from traditionally under-represented groups, including people of colour, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those with a disability. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels valued, included, and able to thrive.

If you are passionate about making a difference at the end of life, we would love to hear from you.

Why join us
A supportive team culture – regular reflective supervision, bi-monthly Schwartz Rounds, and a strong ethos of kindness and peer support.
Opportunities for growth – comprehensive induction, CPD opportunities, student mentoring, and career progression pathways.

Freedom to innovate – you will have the space to try new approaches if it makes life better for the people we support.

Work-life balance – hybrid working, flexible arrangements, and managers who genuinely care about wellbeing.

Generous benefits – annual leave (rising with service), local government pension scheme, discounted leisure membership, public transport savings, salary sacrifice schemes, free legal and financial advice, and much more.

Closing date: Wednesday 21st October 2026 (midnight)
Shortlisting: Thursday 22nd October 2026
Interviews: Thursday 29th October & Friday 30th October 2026 at Princess Buildings, Halifax

How to apply
Apply online via the Calderdale Council Jobs portal. Please ensure you cross-reference the person specification and tell us in your application how you meet the criteria.

We always encourage potential applicants to get in touch for an informal and confidential chat. Please contact team manager: Sammy Richardson, 07825357652 or email: Sammy.Sammy.Richardson@calderdale.gov.uk

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year (unless exceptions apply) and meet the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Calderdale will reimburse the post holders required professional membership, annually.

We may utilise digital interview methods.

As part of our Vision (https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision/) we aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working / job share opportunities.

All applications are anonymised before being seen by the selection panel.

As part of our fair recruitment process, we ask that all applications are written by the candidate and that Artificial Intelligence (AI) use is limited, unless assistance is required as a reasonable adjustment for a disability. Content should be truthful, accurate, evidence based and not embellished – see guidance.