Social Prescriber

Job description

Job responsibilities

Principal Accountabilities

Take referrals from the PCNs core network practices and from a wide range of agencies to support the health and wellbeing of patients;

Assess how far a patients health and wellbeing needs can be met by services and other opportunities available in the community;

Co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan to address the patients health and wellbeing needs by introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services, including weight management support and signposting where appropriate and it matters to the person;

Evaluate how far the actions in the care and support plan are meeting the patients health and wellbeing needs;

Provide personalised support to patients, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently, improve their health outcomes and maintain a healthy lifestyle;

Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them;

Take a holistic approach, based on the patients priorities and the wider determinants of health;

Explore and support access to a personal health budget where appropriate;

Manage and prioritise their own caseload, in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of their population;

Where required and as appropriate, refer patients back to other health professionals within the PCN.

Draw on and increase the strength and capacity of local communities, enabling local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations and community groups to receive social prescribing referrals from the Social Prescribing Link Worker;

Work collaboratively with all local partners to contribute towards supporting the local VCSE organisations and community groups to become sustainable and that community assets are nurtured, through sharing intelligence regarding any gaps or problems identified in local provision with commissioners and local authorities;

Have a role in educating non-clinical and clinical staff within the PCN through verbal or written advice or guidance on what other services are available within the community and how and when patients can access them.

Provide service users with continuity and a coordinated experience of care, remaining point of contact throughout the individuals social prescription.

Establish and maintain effective liaison with stakeholders including health, voluntary, social and education resources, attending relevant meetings as necessary.

Work in partnership with all voluntary and community organisations to build a comprehensive database of local resources to design and support the Social Prescribing.

Ensure information on sources of voluntary and community support is up to date at all times to enable effective and accurate signposting and linking of individuals with services.

Train and develop GPs and primary care health teams knowledge on how to identify patients suitable for social prescribing service referral on a quarterly basis.

Set up and maintain comprehensive data and evaluation systems.

Provide quarterly comprehensive outcome focused reports detailing the progress of the service

Maintain excellent record keeping standards and adhere to confidentiality, information sharing protocols and provide monitoring information as required.

Ensure understanding of, and comply with procedures for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Implement the principles of Equal Opportunities in every aspect of work and positively promote the principles of the policy amongst colleagues, service users and other members of the community.

Comply with the practices Health and Safety Policy and Data Protection Policy.

Work flexibly as required by the service and to take part in PCN and other organisations meetings and events to promote, support and celebrate the work of the service and the agencies.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of providing empowering support to adults in a planned and structured way to improve health, recovery and well-being outcomes

Desirable

• Experience of working in primary care
• Experience of working in a GP practice

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE grade A to C (or equivalent) in English and Maths
• A health, social care, counselling or other relevant professional or academic qualification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Excellent holistic assessment as well as consultation skills
• Proven skills in collating information and data on community resources and organising these in up-to-date and accessible formats for a range of different service users from various communities
• Excellent record keeping skills and the proven ability to write comprehensive reports for a variety of stakeholders
• Excellent IT skills and ability to do own administration using data base, PowerPoint and other IT packages
• A confident and professional approach to working with a variety of stakeholders
• Excellent written, verbal, listening and presentation skills
• A proven understanding of safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults and ability to implement relevant policies and procedures
• The ability to work autonomously and to plan, prioritise work under pressure and adapt to new models of working
• A commitment to equal opportunities and an understanding of the impact on individuals, families and communities health of deprivation
• Ability to work in a flexible way across locations and including occasional evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the service

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Coast & Country Primary Care Network

Address

c/o Holsworthy Medical Centre

Dobles Lanes

Holsworthy

Devon

EX22 6GH

Employer's website

https://coastandcountrypcn.gpweb.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)