Social Prescriber Link Worker

Job responsibilities

The social prescriber link worker (SPLW) works alongside a team within general practice and within the Primary Care Network (PCN) and empowers people to take control of their health and well-being.

A referral to a non-medical link worker is designed to support patients in being able to take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.

The post holder will be an integral part of the general practice team, working in each practice and across the PCN, as well as part of a wider community groups and their multidisciplinary teams. A SPLW supports existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and helps people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.

Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience whilst reducing health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity by increasing peoples active involvement with their local communities.

This role can be particularly beneficial to patients with long-term conditions, those with mental health issues and those who are lonely or isolated or who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3, advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards
• Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development
• Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work)
• Experience of working with the VCSE sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity), including with volunteers and small community groups
• Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations
• Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities
• Knowledge of community development approaches
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports
• Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously. Additionally, the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines
• Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person centred support in a non-judgemental way
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities
• Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion and sensitivity
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people at all levels by telephone, email and face to face
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Polite and confident
• Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets
• Able to provide leadership and to finish work tasks
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
• Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies (including VCSE organisations and community groups). Able to work with others to reduce hierarchies and find creative solutions to community issues
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and works well under pressure
• Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines
• High level of written and oral communication skills
• Understanding of the needs of small volunteer-led community groups and ability to support their development
• Knowledge of and ability to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety
• Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work demands
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own home

Desirable

• Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience
• Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity
• Experience of data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services
• Knowledge of the personalised care approach
• Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality