Job summary
If you are innovative and would
love the exciting challenge of joining an up and coming patient focused service
within a Primary Care Network in Rushcliffe, then this could be the job for
you.
If you are self-motivated,
enthusiastic and a committed person whose passion is to support and empower
individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, we are looking to
recruit a Social Prescribing Link worker to work within the Rushcliffe PCN.
Main duties of the job
Social Prescribing aims to
address non-medical issues that may be causing or exacerbating long term health
problems such as mental health, social isolation or have complex social needs
which affect their wellbeing. The role is to adopt an holistic non-medical
approach, co-designing a social prescription to improve health and wellbeing
based on what matters to the individual and their individual strengths and
needs and integrating services around the person. The aim in the longer term is
to reduce the number of clinical and medical interventions required, to promote
independence and resilience and improve wellbeing.
The social prescribing link worker role involves;
Promoting prevention & lifestyle changes
Engaging patients and connecting them with the wide range of groups and services
Working with the wider health, social care and voluntary network
Encouraging a holistic approach for patients with chronic diseases
About us
Ideally you will have worked in a
similar role, but this role would also be suited to someone with good local
knowledge, appropriate experience and enthusiasm. If you are proactive,
enthusiastic, person-centered and hold a clean driving license with unlimited
access to a car then we would love to hear from you.
For more information, please
contact Morgan Sharpe on 07309850937
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title: Social Prescribing Link Worker
Job Purpose: Empower individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing by providing personalised, non-medical support. Focus on the individuals needs, supporting them to overcome challenges that impact their health, while also making connections to community resources where relevant.
Key Responsibilities:
- Personalised Support:
- Provide one-to-one support, focusing on what matters to the individual.
- Develop trusting relationships through active listening, respect, and empathy.
- Work with individuals to create a personalised support plan that addresses their health and wellbeing goals.
- Connect individuals to a wide range of community groups, activities, peer support networks, and statutory or voluntary services.
- Identify and address wider factors affecting health (e.g., housing, debt, social isolation). Support individuals in overcoming barriers such as low confidence, social isolation, long-term conditions, or challenging life circumstances.
- Support individuals in maintaining or regaining independence through skills development and access to relevant services.
- Work with individuals over several contacts (in-person, by phone, or digitally) to encourage engagement, build confidence, and enable self-management.
- Utilise active listening and motivational interviewing to co-produce personalised wellbeing plans based on individual strengths, needs, and goals.
- Referrals and Networking:
- Prioritise referrals from GP practices and primary care.
- Work collaboratively with GP practices, care coordinators, community organisations, and wider health and care teams.
- Build strong relationships with local stakeholders (health professionals, community groups).
- Where appropriate, introduce individuals to community groups, ensuring their comfort and inclusion.
- Provide referral partners with clear information about social prescribing and maintain regular communication.
- Case Management:
- Manage and prioritise a caseload based on individual needs, with awareness of when to refer to other professionals.
- Use a case management system to track individual progress and outcomes.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure data protection compliance.
- Community Engagement:
- Ensure a welcoming, inclusive space for drop-in support and wellbeing activities during community sessions.
- Align community activities and wider community group engagement with local social prescribing priorities, supporting improved access, stronger connections, and community resilience across the network.
- Collaborate with VCSE organisations and community groups to support referrals, while ensuring they have basic safeguarding and governance measures.
- Strengthen local networks, providing advice and support to groups receiving referrals.
- Identify and map local groups and activities to support the local community. Where there are gaps, explore opportunities to develop new community projects.
- Safeguarding and Governance:
- Recognise and act on safeguarding concerns in line with organisational policies.
- Support individuals, families, and carers in providing feedback and sharing their stories.
- Ensure community groups receiving referrals meet basic safety and safeguarding standards.
Person Specification:
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust.
- Experience in a health, social care, or community role.
- Understanding of the wider determinants of health and the role of social prescribing.
- Ability to work independently, prioritise, and manage a caseload.
- Awareness of safeguarding procedures and risk management.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title: Social Prescribing Link Worker
Job Purpose: Empower individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing by providing personalised, non-medical support. Focus on the individuals needs, supporting them to overcome challenges that impact their health, while also making connections to community resources where relevant.
Key Responsibilities:
- Personalised Support:
- Provide one-to-one support, focusing on what matters to the individual.
- Develop trusting relationships through active listening, respect, and empathy.
- Work with individuals to create a personalised support plan that addresses their health and wellbeing goals.
- Connect individuals to a wide range of community groups, activities, peer support networks, and statutory or voluntary services.
- Identify and address wider factors affecting health (e.g., housing, debt, social isolation). Support individuals in overcoming barriers such as low confidence, social isolation, long-term conditions, or challenging life circumstances.
- Support individuals in maintaining or regaining independence through skills development and access to relevant services.
- Work with individuals over several contacts (in-person, by phone, or digitally) to encourage engagement, build confidence, and enable self-management.
- Utilise active listening and motivational interviewing to co-produce personalised wellbeing plans based on individual strengths, needs, and goals.
- Referrals and Networking:
- Prioritise referrals from GP practices and primary care.
- Work collaboratively with GP practices, care coordinators, community organisations, and wider health and care teams.
- Build strong relationships with local stakeholders (health professionals, community groups).
- Where appropriate, introduce individuals to community groups, ensuring their comfort and inclusion.
- Provide referral partners with clear information about social prescribing and maintain regular communication.
- Case Management:
- Manage and prioritise a caseload based on individual needs, with awareness of when to refer to other professionals.
- Use a case management system to track individual progress and outcomes.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure data protection compliance.
- Community Engagement:
- Ensure a welcoming, inclusive space for drop-in support and wellbeing activities during community sessions.
- Align community activities and wider community group engagement with local social prescribing priorities, supporting improved access, stronger connections, and community resilience across the network.
- Collaborate with VCSE organisations and community groups to support referrals, while ensuring they have basic safeguarding and governance measures.
- Strengthen local networks, providing advice and support to groups receiving referrals.
- Identify and map local groups and activities to support the local community. Where there are gaps, explore opportunities to develop new community projects.
- Safeguarding and Governance:
- Recognise and act on safeguarding concerns in line with organisational policies.
- Support individuals, families, and carers in providing feedback and sharing their stories.
- Ensure community groups receiving referrals meet basic safety and safeguarding standards.
Person Specification:
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust.
- Experience in a health, social care, or community role.
- Understanding of the wider determinants of health and the role of social prescribing.
- Ability to work independently, prioritise, and manage a caseload.
- Awareness of safeguarding procedures and risk management.
Person Specification
Other
Essential
- Meets DBS reference standards and has a clear criminal record, in line with the law on spent convictions. Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work demands. Current full driving licence and sole use of car. Ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own homes.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrated experience providing one-to-one support to individuals, families, and carersideally within or alongside a primary care or community health setting.
- Experience working collaboratively with GP practices, healthcare professionals, and the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
- Proven ability to build effective relationships across a range of services and systems, including health, social care, and community support networks.
- Practical experience in community development, health promotion, or supporting people with complex health and social needspaid, voluntary, or informal.
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.
- Confident in using clinical or case management systems such as SystmOne, EMIS, or similar platforms to maintain records and support information sharing.
Personal Qualities & Training
Essential
- Skills and Attributes:
- Excellent listening and communication skills, with the ability to provide empathetic, person-centred support in a non-judgemental and inclusive manner.
- Able to build trust and motivate individuals to make positive changes, recognising and respecting diversity and different lifestyles.
- Committed to reducing health inequalities and reaching underserved communities through proactive engagement.
- Skilled in working with people from all backgrounds, including families, carers, community groups, and professional partners.
- Confident in identifying and managing risk, and knowing when to refer individuals to clinical or specialist support beyond the scope of the link worker role.
- Able to work from an asset-based approach, helping people and communities build on their strengths.
- Strong organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise, and complete tasks independently and under pressure.
- Emotionally resilient, self-motivated, and accountable in managing workload and relationships.
- Collaborative in nature, with a commitment to partnership working across sectors, reducing hierarchies, and co-producing community solutions.
- Understanding of the needs of small, volunteer-led groups and how to support their growth and sustainability.
- Knowledge of and ability to work within safeguarding, confidentiality, lone working, information governance, and health & safety policies.
- Flexible, enthusiastic, and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with over 65s.
- Experience of working with young adults 18- 30 year olds
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.
Skills & Knowledge
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 IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports. Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality. Awareness of GDPR. Awareness of Safeguarding Children & Adults. Knowledge of the personalised care approach.
Person Specification
Other
Essential
- Meets DBS reference standards and has a clear criminal record, in line with the law on spent convictions. Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work demands. Current full driving licence and sole use of car. Ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own homes.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrated experience providing one-to-one support to individuals, families, and carersideally within or alongside a primary care or community health setting.
- Experience working collaboratively with GP practices, healthcare professionals, and the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
- Proven ability to build effective relationships across a range of services and systems, including health, social care, and community support networks.
- Practical experience in community development, health promotion, or supporting people with complex health and social needspaid, voluntary, or informal.
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.
- Confident in using clinical or case management systems such as SystmOne, EMIS, or similar platforms to maintain records and support information sharing.
Personal Qualities & Training
Essential
- Skills and Attributes:
- Excellent listening and communication skills, with the ability to provide empathetic, person-centred support in a non-judgemental and inclusive manner.
- Able to build trust and motivate individuals to make positive changes, recognising and respecting diversity and different lifestyles.
- Committed to reducing health inequalities and reaching underserved communities through proactive engagement.
- Skilled in working with people from all backgrounds, including families, carers, community groups, and professional partners.
- Confident in identifying and managing risk, and knowing when to refer individuals to clinical or specialist support beyond the scope of the link worker role.
- Able to work from an asset-based approach, helping people and communities build on their strengths.
- Strong organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise, and complete tasks independently and under pressure.
- Emotionally resilient, self-motivated, and accountable in managing workload and relationships.
- Collaborative in nature, with a commitment to partnership working across sectors, reducing hierarchies, and co-producing community solutions.
- Understanding of the needs of small, volunteer-led groups and how to support their growth and sustainability.
- Knowledge of and ability to work within safeguarding, confidentiality, lone working, information governance, and health & safety policies.
- Flexible, enthusiastic, and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with over 65s.
- Experience of working with young adults 18- 30 year olds
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.
Skills & Knowledge
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 IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports. Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality. Awareness of GDPR. Awareness of Safeguarding Children & Adults. Knowledge of the personalised care approach.
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.
