Child death review process: key worker fact sheet

The key worker for bereaved family’s responsibilities and competencies.

As set out in the CDR SOP for NHS Borders, all bereaved families should be assigned key worker who can provide information on the child death review process and who can signpost them to sources of support.

This role could be taken by a variety of different professionals, for example a school nurse, health visitor, hospital staff nurse or palliative care, management leads involved in the CDR process, GP, Police or social work professionals etc.

The qualities and competencies of the individual are more important that their professional background.

Taking into consideration shift patterns and annual leave, it is important that the key worker is supported by a team who can step in to cover absences.  Families should expect to be able to contact the key worker or a member of the CDR team during normal working hours.

Main Responsibilities

• Be a reliable point of contact for the bereaved family.
• Help coordinate meetings between the family and professionals as required.
• Be able to provide some information on the child death review process, and support the family with any questions they have for the Child death review meeting. Ensure their questions are effectively addressed, and liaise closely with the CDR lead to discuss when feedback should be given to the family after the CDR is complete.
• Signpost bereavement support services if required.

Key Competencies

• An empathetic approach, with the ability to listen, support and provide guidance for the bereaved family.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills in what will be a challenging and distressing time.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with families.
• Sufficient experience and confidence to represent the family at the CDR Meeting.
• Making time to understand the CDR Process in order to support the family throughout the process and answer any questions they have.
• Contact the CDR team on BOR.childrenreviews@borders.scot.nhs.uk for support with this role.

Support for the Key worker

Time – The time required for this role will vary greatly from case to case. It is important that all NHS Organisations are flexible in enabling the key worker to support each individual family as required, over the weeks and months following the death of the child or young person.

Team support – Families should expect to be able to contact the key worker or team member during normal working hours – your colleagues should support you with this and cover you during annual leave/absences.

Individual support – Working with bereaved families can be stressful and upsetting at times. They key worker and manager should agree a plan to ensure they are appropriately supported in the role, including opportunities for debriefing and supervision.