Primary Integrated Community Services

Senior Social Prescribing Link Worker

This job is now closed

Job summary

PICS is the employer for this role. PICS is a local company wholly owned by GPs, specialising in community-based care, and run for the benefit of patients. Find out more about us: http://picsnhs.org.uk/.

ABOUT THE ROLE

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 support.

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.

You will be based within Rosewood PCN, which has a population of 46,947 patients, covering:

Acorn Medical Practice, Acorn Medical Practice, NG18 1QA
Churchside Medical Practice, Wood Street, Mansfield, NG18 1QB
Forest Medical Group, Oak Tree Lane Surgery, Jubilee Way South, Mansfield, NG18 3SF
Forest Medical Group, Rosemary Street Health Centre, Rosemary St, Mansfield, NG19 6AB
Millview Surgery, 1a Goldsmith Street, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 5PF
Roundwood Surgery, Wood Street, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 1QQ

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 uses, 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

About us

PICS is the employer for this role. We collaborate with patients and partners to design and deliver clinically robust health and social care solution through Community Services, Out of Hospital Services, GP Practices, and Primary Care Networks. Find out more about us: http://picsnhs.org.uk/.

Benefits of working for PICS

We offer a comprehensive package which includes:

NHS Pension 2015 Scheme (subject to eligibility)
Alternative government-based scheme (subject to eligibility)
NHS Agenda for Change pay structure with clear progression pathways
Generous annual leave entitlement which references NHS Agenda for Change and recognises previous NHS service, starting 35 days pro rata (inc bank holidays)
Competitive leave entitlement that includes maternity, paternity and adoption leave, study leave allowance, and sickness provisions
Access to education and training opportunities, depending on your role (CPPE Pharmacy, NHS England Roadmap for First Contact Practitioners, apprenticeship schemes, support professional development)
Working in a multi-disciplinary team with support from a wide variety of professionals
A flexible approach to a work-life balance
Cycle to work scheme (subject to eligibility)
Access to Blue Light Card scheme
All staff events and conferences
Staff engagement (Wellbeing Group, EDI Network, Staff Focus group)
Free parking across many sites
Personalised induction into the company and job role

Date posted

17 November 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£28,407 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

E0220-23-0024RO

Job locations

Rosewood PCN

Mansfield

NG18 1QQ

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

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.