Role: Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officer 

Location:  Galway with travel across county (community knowledge of the region is essential) 

Hours: 24 hours over 3 days per week  

Salary: €24,086.40 

About: The Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service is a collaborative venture between Pieta House and the HSE. The primary objective of the service is to provide a high quality and proactive support to families and community in the aftermath of a loss by suspected suicide, within a defined framework and protocol to the geographic area. 

The Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officer will provide support and guidance to individuals and families in the immediate aftermath of death by suicide. The role will be based in Galway and requires travel to meet and assist clients. The ideal candidate will have strong communication and networking skills in order to establish and maintain working relationships with agencies and organisations locally. 

Reporting directly to the National Co-ordinator on day to day matters you will also be part of a national network of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officers. 

Responsibilities: 

Coordinate and develop the service to provide immediate contact and support to those bereaved and affected by a suspected suicide across the assigned geographic area 

Provide timely and relevant support, information and advice. Exercise good judgment in assessing each case and establishing the most appropriate steps for on-going support, signposting or onward referral 

Develop strong relationships and partnerships with key agencies and first responders in the region, to establish and facilitate helpful responses to individuals, families, or groups who have been bereaved by suicide 

Prepare detailed monitoring and progress reports on a quarterly basis to include data pertaining to the delivery of service to those bereaved (liaison links, referrals made, follow up etc) 

Continue to develop and maintain interagency protocol that will provide a co-ordinated response to families following a suicide death in line with best practice and/or local HSE CfL response protocols 

Maintain and update an area-specific suicide bereavement resource pack for families to include all relevant information on support services following a death. 

Support community responses in consultation with the HSE Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention and HSE Mental Health Operations 

Work with the HSE on the early identification of potential suicide clusters and liaise with agencies in line with local policy 

Create and maintain confidential records of contact with individuals, under data protection, and in line with HSE policy and procedure 

Attend regular supervision with the Project Supervisor 

Keep up to date with professional developments in the field of suicide bereavement and the provision of mental health services and implement changes accordingly 

Skills & Experience: 

An understanding of the bereavement process and how being bereaved by suicide can affect individuals 

A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant clinical area such as counselling, psychotherapy or psychology and professional accreditation in their relevant field by IACP, IAHIP, ICP, PSI etc. A specific bereavement qualification is also desirable. 

A minimum of 3 years’ relevant post- qualification experience of working with people in a therapeutic and multi-disciplinary setting 

Own transport and full driving licence 

Working knowledge of the mental health field and the key agencies involved 

Demonstrated experience of working in challenging environments and to be flexible and adaptive in responding to changing demands, needs and priorities 

A clear understanding of professional boundaries and the need to adhere and uphold them 

Experience and or understanding of issues around lone working 

An understanding of confidentiality and how it relates to this work and its impact on working practice 

The willingness to work unsocial hours and a time off in lieu system 

Personal attributes such as empathy, compassion, sensitivity, non-judgemental and being able to work with people in distress 

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training and experience 

Note: Garda Vetting is required (of the successful candidates) for this position. 

Applications for the above should be made through our website or via email, attaching a cover letter (outlining your particular suitability to the role) with an updated Curriculum Vitae to recruitment@pieta.ie by 14th July 2021.

PIETA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER