Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Social Prescribing Link Worker to join our Lifestyle Improvement Team which is a team of 8 consisting of Social Prescribing Link Workers, Health and Wellbeing Coaches and Care coordinators.
Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referrals to Social Prescribers who give time, focus on what matters to me and take a holistic approach to an individuals health and wellbeing, connecting people to diverse community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
Social Prescribers also support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local diverse partners.
This role will work with patient to establish what matters to the individual rather than what is the matter and then devise personalised care plans to meet a wide range of needs. This may include support with long-term conditions, social and welfare needs and signposting to a range of statutory and voluntary sector services.
Main duties of the job
Recognising that peoples health is determined primarily by a range of
social, economic, and environmental factors, social prescribing seeks to work
with clinicians to address peoples needs in a holistic way. It also aims to
support individuals to take greater control of their own health.
This role will work with patient to establish what matters to the
individual rather than what is the matter and then devise personalised care
plans to meet a wide range of needs. This may include support with long-term
conditions, social and welfare needs and signposting to a range of statutory
and voluntary sector services.
You need to have a genuine interest in improving
patient outcomes, be able to work under pressure, without direct supervision,
in a calm and professional manner.
The post holder will work with a
diverse range of people from different cultural and social backgrounds. The
ability to work confidently and effectively in a varied, and sometimes
challenging environment is essential.
The successful candidate will
have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and be organised,
patient and empathetic. They will have experience of working in health, social
care or other support roles including direct contact with people, families or
carers.
About us
We are a forward thinking, innovative and proactive PCN of GP Practices covering a population of over 48,000 patients.
Operating from 7 premises over the geographical footprint of Leyland, Clayton Brook and the villages of Eccleston and Croston, our aim is to provide exemplary patient care, finding innovative solution in general practice to deliver the best care we can to our patients.
Our practices are: Central Park Surgery, Clayton Brook Surgery, Moss Side Medical Centre, Sandy Lane Surgery, the Village Surgeries of Eccleston & Croston and Worden Medical Centre.
As the role requires travel between our constituent practices, candidates must have access to their own transport with a full driving licence.
We offer excellent terms and conditions, with leave entitlement between 27-33 days leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata) dependant on length of service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The
Social Prescribing Link Worker will undertake work in line with PCN directed priorities,
work within their scope of practice. The successful applicant will:
Take referrals
from a wide range of agencies, working with GP practices within primary care
networks, pharmacies, multi-disciplinary teams, hospital discharge teams,
allied health professionals, fire service, police, job centres, social care
services, housing associations, and voluntary, community and social
enterprise (VCSE) organisations (list not exhaustive).
Provide
personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take
control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health
outcomes. Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on
‘what matters to me’. Take a holistic approach, based on the person’s
priorities and the wider determinants of health. Co-produce a personalised
support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting
people to community groups and statutory services.
The role will
require managing and prioritising your own caseload, in accordance with the
needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the
caseload. It is vital that you have a strong awareness and understanding of
when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health
professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the
link worker role – e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a
qualified practitioner.
Draw on and increase the strengths and capacities of
local communities, enabling local VCSE organisations and community groups to
receive social prescribing referrals. Ensure they are supported, have basic
safeguarding processes for vulnerable individuals and can provide
opportunities for the person to develop friendships, a sense of belonging,
and build knowledge, skills and confidence.
Work together with all local partners to
collectively ensure that local VCSE organisations and community groups are
sustainable and that community assets are nurtured, by making them aware of
small grants or micro-commissioning if available, including providing support
to set up new community groups and services, where gaps are identified in
local provision.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The
Social Prescribing Link Worker will undertake work in line with PCN directed priorities,
work within their scope of practice. The successful applicant will:
Take referrals
from a wide range of agencies, working with GP practices within primary care
networks, pharmacies, multi-disciplinary teams, hospital discharge teams,
allied health professionals, fire service, police, job centres, social care
services, housing associations, and voluntary, community and social
enterprise (VCSE) organisations (list not exhaustive).
Provide
personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take
control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health
outcomes. Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on
‘what matters to me’. Take a holistic approach, based on the person’s
priorities and the wider determinants of health. Co-produce a personalised
support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting
people to community groups and statutory services.
The role will
require managing and prioritising your own caseload, in accordance with the
needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the
caseload. It is vital that you have a strong awareness and understanding of
when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health
professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the
link worker role – e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a
qualified practitioner.
Draw on and increase the strengths and capacities of
local communities, enabling local VCSE organisations and community groups to
receive social prescribing referrals. Ensure they are supported, have basic
safeguarding processes for vulnerable individuals and can provide
opportunities for the person to develop friendships, a sense of belonging,
and build knowledge, skills and confidence.
Work together with all local partners to
collectively ensure that local VCSE organisations and community groups are
sustainable and that community assets are nurtured, by making them aware of
small grants or micro-commissioning if available, including providing support
to set up new community groups and services, where gaps are identified in
local provision.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work)
- supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (including unpaid work)
- working with the VCSE sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity), including with volunteers and small community groups
- partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations
Desirable
- data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services
- supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards this level.
- Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
Desirable
- Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work)
- supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (including unpaid work)
- working with the VCSE sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity), including with volunteers and small community groups
- partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations
Desirable
- data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services
- supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards this level.
- Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
Desirable
- Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience.
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.
