Senior Social Prescribing Link Worker

Primary Integrated Community Services

This job is now closed

Job summary

ABOUT THE ROLE:

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

You will be based within Newark Primary Care Network (PCN) covering:

Southwell Medical Centre The Ropewalk, Southwell NG25 0AL
Balderton Primary Care Centre Lowfield Lane, Balderton, Newark NG24 3HJ
Barnby Gate Surgery 50 Barnby Gate, Newark NG24 1QD
Collingham Medical Centre High Street, Collingham, Newark NG23 7LB
Fountain Medical Centre Sherwood Avenue, Newark NG24 1QH
Hounsfield Surgery Hounsfield Way, Sutton on Trent, Newark NG23 6PX
Lombard Medical Centre 2 Portland Street, Newark NG24 4XG

Newark PCN has a patient population in excess of 76,000.

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:

The Senior Link Workers will share their expertise and provide a supportive environment for the team and work closely with their line manager to implement and develop the Social Prescribing Link Worker Service.
Ensuring the smooth running of the team by authorising annual leave, managing performance and attendance and being the first point of contact for mentoring the social prescribing link workers with the casework, escalating to Management or clinical lead/supervisor/patients GP for advice when necessary
To oversee the patient experience from first contact to discharge, identifying opportunities to improve flow through the service.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards this level.
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 supervisory responsibilities of other members of staff/a small team

About us

We offer a comprehensive package which includes:

Part of a team of experienced practitioners and supported by a Service Manager 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

10 September 2021

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Reference to Agenda for Change, Band 5

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

E0220-21-1505

Job locations

Newark Primary Care Network

Lombard Medical Centre

2 Portland Street

Newark

NG24 4XG

Job description

Job responsibilities

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

To lead and develop the Social prescribing team in the delivery of an effective and responsive support service.
To support the identification and implementation of new ways of working to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the service.
Maintain a high level of confidentiality in the teams work.
To deal effectively with patient queries and escalate any complaints to the service to management.
To promote a healthy and fair working environment for the Team

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Report to Social Prescribing Manager
The Senior Link Workers will share their expertise and provide a supportive environment for the team and work closely with their line manager to implement and develop the Social Prescribing Link Worker Service.
To ensure that the team works to deadlines and prioritises workload, working towards KPIs and targets set for the service.
Ensuring the smooth running of the team by authorising annual leave, managing performance and attendance and being the first point of contact for mentoring the social prescribing link workers with the casework, escalating to Management or clinical lead/supervisor/patients GP for advice when necessary
Ensuring when authorising annual leave and training requests for the team, that the service is adequately covered in their absence.

To support quality of work and outcomes in the team by ensuring the team receives appropriate supervision, feedback and development (including appraisals, 121s and absence management meetings) and feeding back to Management with any development/capability needs.

Supporting recruitment processes, induction and training of new staff.
To oversee the patient experience from first contact to discharge, identifying opportunities to improve flow through the service.
Support data analyst team and manager to produce service reports and data referring to KPIs and service specifications and identify trends, issues and suggest improvements or solutions
Ensure that information is communicated effectively within the team and that the team work to PICS Policies, Procedures and Values.
To represent the PCN, Social Prescribing and PICS in a professional manner at all times and advocate for the positive benefits of the social prescribing service.
To motivate team members to deliver a quality service, leading and attending meetings and community development work in the PCN.
Must be responsible, calm and are able to plan and prioritize their work activities, to ensure the service objectives are met.
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.

Please download the supporting information for full requirements and to assist with your application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

To lead and develop the Social prescribing team in the delivery of an effective and responsive support service.
To support the identification and implementation of new ways of working to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the service.
Maintain a high level of confidentiality in the teams work.
To deal effectively with patient queries and escalate any complaints to the service to management.
To promote a healthy and fair working environment for the Team

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Report to Social Prescribing Manager
The Senior Link Workers will share their expertise and provide a supportive environment for the team and work closely with their line manager to implement and develop the Social Prescribing Link Worker Service.
To ensure that the team works to deadlines and prioritises workload, working towards KPIs and targets set for the service.
Ensuring the smooth running of the team by authorising annual leave, managing performance and attendance and being the first point of contact for mentoring the social prescribing link workers with the casework, escalating to Management or clinical lead/supervisor/patients GP for advice when necessary
Ensuring when authorising annual leave and training requests for the team, that the service is adequately covered in their absence.

To support quality of work and outcomes in the team by ensuring the team receives appropriate supervision, feedback and development (including appraisals, 121s and absence management meetings) and feeding back to Management with any development/capability needs.

Supporting recruitment processes, induction and training of new staff.
To oversee the patient experience from first contact to discharge, identifying opportunities to improve flow through the service.
Support data analyst team and manager to produce service reports and data referring to KPIs and service specifications and identify trends, issues and suggest improvements or solutions
Ensure that information is communicated effectively within the team and that the team work to PICS Policies, Procedures and Values.
To represent the PCN, Social Prescribing and PICS in a professional manner at all times and advocate for the positive benefits of the social prescribing service.
To motivate team members to deliver a quality service, leading and attending meetings and community development work in the PCN.
Must be responsible, calm and are able to plan and prioritize their work activities, to ensure the service objectives are met.
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.

Please download the supporting information for full requirements and to assist with your application.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Please provide detailed information of how you feel that your experience is suitable for this role; please provide examples to support your application referring to the job description and person specification for guidance.

Skills and knowledge

Essential

Please provide detailed information of how you feel that your skills and knowledge are suitable for this role; please provide examples to support your application referring to the job description and person specification for guidance.

Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

Please provide detailed information of how you feel that your personal qualities and attributes are suitable for this role, why you would be a great fit for this role and why you have decided to apply; please provide examples to support your application referring to the job description and person specification for guidance.

Qualifications

Essential

Please provide details of your qualifications and training.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Please provide detailed information of how you feel that your experience is suitable for this role; please provide examples to support your application referring to the job description and person specification for guidance.

Skills and knowledge

Essential

Please provide detailed information of how you feel that your skills and knowledge are suitable for this role; please provide examples to support your application referring to the job description and person specification for guidance.

Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

Please provide detailed information of how you feel that your personal qualities and attributes are suitable for this role, why you would be a great fit for this role and why you have decided to apply; please provide examples to support your application referring to the job description and person specification for guidance.