Social Prescribing Link Worker

Primary Integrated Community Services

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Social Prescribing Link Worker to join our dynamic PCN team. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about providing high quality care.

PICS have a supportive network of Social Prescribing Link Workers in place which provides development opportunities and empowers individuals to progress in their career. You will be part of a wide team of Social Prescribing Link workers and supported by our senior team members, along with our Service Manager who is on the PICS Leadership team.

Main duties of the job

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Promoting social prescribing, its role in self-management, and the wider determinants of health.
  • Networking with a wide range of agencies and multi-disciplinary teams and working closely with GP Practices within the Primary Care Network.
  • Developing and providing personalised support for individuals, their families and carers to take control of their wellbeing.
  • Develop trusting relationships with service users, focusing on a what matters to me approach.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

  • NVQ Level 3, Advanced Level or equivalent qualifications or working towards this level
  • 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 support or public health/health improvement
  • Full driving license with sole use of a vehicle

About us

We offer a comprehensive package which includes:

  • Part of a team of experienced Social Prescribing Link Workers and supported by senior Social Prescribers who will help support your professional development
  • Part of the NHS Pension Scheme or an alternative government based scheme (based on eligibility) with generous employer contributions
  • Competitive salaries with clear progression pathways referenced to NHS Agenda for Change
  • Fully integrated with NHS IT systems
  • Generous annual leave entitlement which references NHS Agenda for Change and recognises previous NHS service
  • On appointment 27 days plus 8 days bank holiday entitlement
  • After 5 years 29 days plus 8 days bank holiday entitlement
  • After 10 years 33 days plus 8 days bank holiday entitlement
  • Competitive leave entitlement that includes sickness pay and maternity leave
  • Join a caring culture and a company of can do experts

Date posted

27 April 2021

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£21,892 to £24,157 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

E0220-21-1318

Job locations

Unit H4 Ash Tree Court

Nottingham Business Park

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG8 6PY


Oakwood Surgery

Church Street

Mansfield Woodhouse

Nottinghamshire

NG19 8BL


Wood Street

Mansfield

Nottinghamshire

NG18 1QQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

SUMMARY OF ROLE:

Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical link workers who give time, focus on what matters to me and take an holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Link Workers support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.

Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience, and reduces 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. It particularly works for people with long-term conditions (including support for mental health), for people who are lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • 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 persons 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.

KEY TASKS:

  • Referrals
  • Provide personalised support
  • Support community groups and VCSE organisations to receive referrals
  • Work collectively with all local partners to ensure community groups are strong and sustainable
  • Data capture
  • Clinical governance
  • Professional development

Please download the supporting document: Social Prescribing Link Worker - JD Person Spec for full role details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

SUMMARY OF ROLE:

Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical link workers who give time, focus on what matters to me and take an holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Link Workers support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.

Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience, and reduces 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. It particularly works for people with long-term conditions (including support for mental health), for people who are lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • 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 persons 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.

KEY TASKS:

  • Referrals
  • Provide personalised support
  • Support community groups and VCSE organisations to receive referrals
  • Work collectively with all local partners to ensure community groups are strong and sustainable
  • Data capture
  • Clinical governance
  • Professional development

Please download the supporting document: Social Prescribing Link Worker - JD Person Spec for full role details.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards this level

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities
  • Knowledge of community development approaches
  • Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the personalised care approach
  • Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality
  • Awareness of GDPR
  • Awareness of Safeguarding Children & Adults

Experience

Essential

  • 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 supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (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 and

Personal qualities

Essential

  • Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities
  • 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
  • Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards this level

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities
  • Knowledge of community development approaches
  • Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the personalised care approach
  • Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality
  • Awareness of GDPR
  • Awareness of Safeguarding Children & Adults

Experience

Essential

  • 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 supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (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 and

Personal qualities

Essential

  • Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities
  • 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
  • Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines

Employer details

Employer name

Primary Integrated Community Services

Address

Unit H4 Ash Tree Court

Nottingham Business Park

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG8 6PY


Employer's website

http://picsnhs.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Primary Integrated Community Services

Address

Unit H4 Ash Tree Court

Nottingham Business Park

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG8 6PY


Employer's website

http://picsnhs.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Social Prescribing Manager

Louise Redhead

louise.redhead1@nhs.net

Date posted

27 April 2021

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£21,892 to £24,157 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

E0220-21-1318

Job locations

Unit H4 Ash Tree Court

Nottingham Business Park

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG8 6PY


Oakwood Surgery

Church Street

Mansfield Woodhouse

Nottinghamshire

NG19 8BL


Wood Street

Mansfield

Nottinghamshire

NG18 1QQ


Supporting documents

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