Job summary
Following the successes of our four Social Prescribing Link Workers already in post, Ely PCNs wish to recruit more Social Prescribers to support the six GP practices across the East Cambridgeshire region.
Social Prescribing Link Workers have become a key part of our multi-disciplinary Practice teams, and our aim is to have one Social Prescriber linked to each of our six PCN GP Practices.
The principle of Social Prescribing is to help people to take control of their health and wellbeing, and support the communities in which they live.
The role will involve:
- Direct work with patients.
- Liaison with colleagues from GP Practices.
- Supporting growth of community networks and organisations.
- Providing information that will inform local primary care strategy.
Salary is up to a maximum of £27,500 (pro rata) depending on experience.
Main duties of the job
You will be enthusiastic about supporting individuals and
communities, and committed to equality, social inclusion, and strengths-based,
person-centred approaches. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate
some experience in this area.
You will need to have good communication
skills and be comfortable using IT.
Building relationships, problem-solving,
and person-focus are essential to the success of this role.
About us
Primary Care Networks formed in 2019 to support the join-up of Primary Care GP services in local clusters across England.
Ely North PCN and Ely South PCN cover the majority of the East Cambridgeshire region. We work closely with one another and have a joint Board and joint management team. Together we are known as Ely Primary Care Networks.
Ely PCNs are keen to support our staff, and are considered a forward-thinking and innovative group.
Ely North PCN member Practices are:
- Cathedral Medical Centre, Ely
- St Marys Surgery, Ely
- St Georges Medical Centre, Littleport
Ely South PCN member Practices are:
- Burwell Surgery
- Haddenham Surgery
- Staploe Medical Centre, Soham
Job description
Job responsibilities
At its heart this job is about helping people work out what they themselves actually need to improve their health and wellbeing, and support them with practical plans to change.
The role is closely connected to helping the person find out how their local community networks of family, friends and organisations can help in their plans to change, as well as helping them navigate more traditional health and social care services when needed.
Building honest, non-judgemental, pragmatic relationships with clients and colleagues will be vital to success of the post.
Over time, Social Prescribers will be able to sketch a broad picture of these local communities - what's available, what isn't, what works, what doesn't - and identify the areas of greatest patient need. This intelligence can then be used to grow and develop communities where most needed.
For the detailed Job Description and Person Specification, please refer to the attached document.
Salary is up to a maximum of £27,500 per annum (pro rata) depending on experience.
Job description
Job responsibilities
At its heart this job is about helping people work out what they themselves actually need to improve their health and wellbeing, and support them with practical plans to change.
The role is closely connected to helping the person find out how their local community networks of family, friends and organisations can help in their plans to change, as well as helping them navigate more traditional health and social care services when needed.
Building honest, non-judgemental, pragmatic relationships with clients and colleagues will be vital to success of the post.
Over time, Social Prescribers will be able to sketch a broad picture of these local communities - what's available, what isn't, what works, what doesn't - and identify the areas of greatest patient need. This intelligence can then be used to grow and develop communities where most needed.
For the detailed Job Description and Person Specification, please refer to the attached document.
Salary is up to a maximum of £27,500 per annum (pro rata) depending on experience.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- - GCSE or equivalent in both Maths and English at Grade C or above.
Desirable
- - Evidence of further general education (eg further GCSE passes, A-Levels etc)
- - Further training and qualifications relevant to the role.
Experience
Essential
- - Two years experience of working in adult health and social care, or related sectors (eg learning support; community development; housing; public health sectors.) This can include voluntary work.
Desirable
- - Experience of supporting people, their families and carers.
- - Experience of working with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector.
- - Experience of volunteering or working with volunteers.
- - Experience of supporting people with decision making as it relates to the Mental Capacity Act.
- - Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.
- - Experience of data collection and using tools to measure the impact of services.
Knowledge
Essential
- - Good understanding of patient confidentiality its importance and expectations.
- - Broad knowledge of how the NHS, voluntary and statutory sector works, including primary care.
- - Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities, individuals, their families and carers.
- - Basic appreciation of the Mental Capacity Act.
- - Understanding of the importance of accessible communication approaches.
- - Basic knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality.
Desirable
- - Knowledge of the personalised care approach.
- - Knowledge of community development approaches.
- - Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to communicate with clients and colleague and create simple plans and reports.
- - System One, Charity Log or similar client record management software.
- - More detailed knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality.
- - More advanced understanding of the Mental Capacity Act.
Personal skills and attributes
Essential
- - Enthusiastic about supporting individuals and communities.
- - Ethical, non-judgemental approach to working with people.
- - Committed to equality, social inclusion, and strengths-based, person-centred approaches.
- - Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders.
- - Good social skills in formal and informal settings, maintaining ethical and organisational norms.
- - Well-organised, diligent, Self-motivated and able to prioritise.
- - Works well as part of a team.
- - Can demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and ability to work well under pressure.
- - Dependable and a good time-keeper.
- - Enthusiasm to continue to learn and develop.
Desirable
- - Excellent communicator.
- - Ability to build strong working relationships and can influence and motivate people.
- - Ability to solve-problems and come up with innovative solutions.
Additional criteria
Essential
- - Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.
- - Satisfactory employment references.
- - Ability to travel easily in the community when required.
- - Willingness to work with people in the community and in their own homes.
Desirable
- - Good fit with the Practice and PCN teams.
- - Absence of referee concerns / client complaints.
- - Driver with access to vehicle.
- - Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work demands.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- - GCSE or equivalent in both Maths and English at Grade C or above.
Desirable
- - Evidence of further general education (eg further GCSE passes, A-Levels etc)
- - Further training and qualifications relevant to the role.
Experience
Essential
- - Two years experience of working in adult health and social care, or related sectors (eg learning support; community development; housing; public health sectors.) This can include voluntary work.
Desirable
- - Experience of supporting people, their families and carers.
- - Experience of working with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector.
- - Experience of volunteering or working with volunteers.
- - Experience of supporting people with decision making as it relates to the Mental Capacity Act.
- - Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.
- - Experience of data collection and using tools to measure the impact of services.
Knowledge
Essential
- - Good understanding of patient confidentiality its importance and expectations.
- - Broad knowledge of how the NHS, voluntary and statutory sector works, including primary care.
- - Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities, individuals, their families and carers.
- - Basic appreciation of the Mental Capacity Act.
- - Understanding of the importance of accessible communication approaches.
- - Basic knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality.
Desirable
- - Knowledge of the personalised care approach.
- - Knowledge of community development approaches.
- - Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to communicate with clients and colleague and create simple plans and reports.
- - System One, Charity Log or similar client record management software.
- - More detailed knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality.
- - More advanced understanding of the Mental Capacity Act.
Personal skills and attributes
Essential
- - Enthusiastic about supporting individuals and communities.
- - Ethical, non-judgemental approach to working with people.
- - Committed to equality, social inclusion, and strengths-based, person-centred approaches.
- - Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders.
- - Good social skills in formal and informal settings, maintaining ethical and organisational norms.
- - Well-organised, diligent, Self-motivated and able to prioritise.
- - Works well as part of a team.
- - Can demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and ability to work well under pressure.
- - Dependable and a good time-keeper.
- - Enthusiasm to continue to learn and develop.
Desirable
- - Excellent communicator.
- - Ability to build strong working relationships and can influence and motivate people.
- - Ability to solve-problems and come up with innovative solutions.
Additional criteria
Essential
- - Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.
- - Satisfactory employment references.
- - Ability to travel easily in the community when required.
- - Willingness to work with people in the community and in their own homes.
Desirable
- - Good fit with the Practice and PCN teams.
- - Absence of referee concerns / client complaints.
- - Driver with access to vehicle.
- - Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work demands.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
