Context
The social work service within the Hospice setting is working within a multi-disciplinary team, which has agreed the philosophy of care for the terminally ill and their carers, both before and after the death of the patient. This is to provide the maximum in quality of life and dignity during a terminal illness, where each member of the team is expected to demonstrate flexibility of approach in a concern for the whole person. The overall social work aim is to help people learn from the past, live in the present and plan for the future. This can be broken down into more definite component aims.

The aims of the social work service (family support team)
To contribute, within the team, an understanding and assessment of psychological, emotional, and social problems of individuals and families from whatever cultural or ethnic group, facing terminal illness and bereavement.

To work with patients and families, using individual, group, and family techniques; and involve other members of the multi-disciplinary team as appropriate.

To advise on, and participate in, the management of psycho-social problems in patients, and for families. In order to promote this aim, to support members of Hospice staff as needed.

To encourage and facilitate concern for the patient as a whole: to further the approach of client self-determination, and to provide the means of "informed" choice, to patient and families. While recognising the centrality of the aim of self-determination, it is within a setting where ill health can dictate so many restrictions, losses and fear of loss. The aim is to provide opportunities for the patient to achieve the best quality within their own limitations, at that point of time.

To provide, through education, an increased understanding of psychological, emotional, social and financial components for individuals/families/carers/children who are having to face the effects of terminal illness and bereavement.

To develop and co-ordinate a bereavement service to train, supervise, and support those visiting the bereaved.

Knowledge base
Hospice social workers' training and experience will have been obtained in the wider context of Social Service. There is a variety of channels by which recognised qualification has been obtained. The most likely are:

• Degree followed by post-graduate Certificate in Social Work
• Certificate (C.Q.S.W) as a mature student
• Diploma in Social Work

In all cases, training and experience will enable the social worker in the Hospice team to offer:

• A resource for the Hospice about knowledge of legislation in related areas; knowledge of local community resources (statutory and voluntary); links with Social Services departments; information on DWP benefits and charitable organisations.

• Experience of working within the statutory social service setting; thus enabling effective representation for Lancashire Social Services in the provision of services in the home and residential settings, for the benefit of Hospice patients.

• In order to maintain good standards of practice, and to be aware of relevant professional development, St Catherine's Hospice has a policy of encouraging continuing professional development. This includes members of the Family Support Team. This may be provided through the Hospice in-house training courses, or through external courses, where they are relevant to this specialist social work setting.

The team work in geographical areas: Preston, Longridge, Chorley and South Ribble .

Referrals are received from:

• In-patient area
• Day Care
• Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Hospital Palliative Care teams
• GP's and District Nurses - if the referral is for support for a palliative care patient

Referrals are completed on Hospice referral forms if from the community, or the appropriate referral form if in-house. The Family Support team received 466 referrals between January 2006 and December 2006, plus 265 referrals for bereavement support.