Job summary
St Helens North
Primary Care Network are looking to recruit to a part time Social Prescribing Link Worker
(SPLW). You will work within our Primary Care Network multidisciplinary
healthcare team. You will be part of a team of three Social Prescribers, who will
be working in partnership with the six practices that make up the Primary Care
Network to lead on the development of pathways and services that can support
patients and promote lifestyle changes and prevent ill-health across the
Network.
You will be
expected to carry out clinics across the 6 practices in the North Network, and attend home visits where required.
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
a 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.
This is a part time role for 22.5 hours a week, ideally to be worked over Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday. The salary is pro rata.
We plan to interview for this role on Wednesday 7th January 2026.
Please note we are
unable to sponsor overseas applications.
If enough
applications are received prior to the closing date, this advert may close
early.
No agencies please.
Main duties of the job
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.
They will work with
individual or groups of patients in the practice or with individual patients in
their own homes or care homes.
The role will
generally involve working within core hours 8-6:30 but may involve
supporting patients outside these times as required on a case by case basis.
Key
responsibilities
Promoting social
prescribing, its role in self-management and the wider determinants of health.
Receive and action
referrals from a wide range of agencies, working with GP practices, pharmacies,
multi-disciplinary teams, hospital discharge teams, allied health
professionals, fire service, police, job centres, social care services, housing
associations, VCSE organisations and others as appropriate.
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.
About us
The post holder will be working as part of the St Helens North Primary
Care Network. We are a team of 6 Practices including Garswood Surgery,
Windermere MC, Bethany MC, Kenneth Macrae MC, Rainford HC & Billinge MC -
with a combined list size of just approx. 30,000 patients. It is a friendly and
close knit team and our work ethic is that of motivation, productivity, respect
and innovation.
This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of an expanding and diverse
Primary Care Network team, improving patient care and all whilst developing
your knowledge and skills.
Our mission is to provide pro-active care to patients to improve their
health and wellbeing and to make a positive impact to their lives, with respect
and compassion. Working in partnership with local people, health and social
care, voluntary sectors, community groups and colleagues to bring communities
together and helping to reduce health inequalities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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. This is a sample of responsibilities expected from the Social
Prescriber, please see the Job description for full details.
Take a holistic
approach, based on the patients priorities and the wider determinants of
health.
Working in
partnership with all local agencies to raise awareness of social prescribing in
the Network and the benefits to services and health outcomes in can bring
Forge strong links
with local VCSE organisations and community and neighbourhood groups. Work with
these groups to ensure directory of community assets and support reflects the
services available in St Helens North network.
Be proactive in
encouraging self-referrals and connecting with all local communities,
particularly those communities that statutory agencies may find hard to reach.
Actively promote
social prescribing services within the practices
Support practice
staff with social prescribing referral processes
Train practice
staff to identify patients suitable for social prescribing by identifying the
most at-risk patients in need of proactive care
Keep in contact
with the patients at agreed intervals
Takes
responsibility for personal development, learning and performance
Act in a way that
recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that
is consistent with Practices procedures and policies, and current legislation.
Respect the
privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
Behave in a manner
which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects
their circumstances, feeling priorities and rights.
Recognize peoples
needs for alternative methods of communication and actively reduce
communication barriers
Job description
Job responsibilities
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. This is a sample of responsibilities expected from the Social
Prescriber, please see the Job description for full details.
Take a holistic
approach, based on the patients priorities and the wider determinants of
health.
Working in
partnership with all local agencies to raise awareness of social prescribing in
the Network and the benefits to services and health outcomes in can bring
Forge strong links
with local VCSE organisations and community and neighbourhood groups. Work with
these groups to ensure directory of community assets and support reflects the
services available in St Helens North network.
Be proactive in
encouraging self-referrals and connecting with all local communities,
particularly those communities that statutory agencies may find hard to reach.
Actively promote
social prescribing services within the practices
Support practice
staff with social prescribing referral processes
Train practice
staff to identify patients suitable for social prescribing by identifying the
most at-risk patients in need of proactive care
Keep in contact
with the patients at agreed intervals
Takes
responsibility for personal development, learning and performance
Act in a way that
recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that
is consistent with Practices procedures and policies, and current legislation.
Respect the
privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
Behave in a manner
which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects
their circumstances, feeling priorities and rights.
Recognize peoples
needs for alternative methods of communication and actively reduce
communication barriers
Person Specification
Knowledge
Desirable
- General understanding of well-being and community services
- Good understanding of interventions, behavioural and motivational change methodologies
- Good understanding of social prescribing
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards this level.
Desirable
- Health & Well-being qualification
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
- Strong IT skills
- Clear, polite telephone manner
- Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
- Effective time management (planning and organising)
- Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving & analytical skills
- Ability to follow policy and procedure
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with the general public
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting or in the leisure industry / public / voluntary sector
- Experience of working with vulnerable people
Desirable
- Experience of delivering lifestyle changes interventions
- Experience of working as a health advisor / trainer
Personal qualities
Essential
- Polite and confident
- Flexible and cooperative
- Motivated Forward thinker
- Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
- Ability to work under pressure and flexibly when required
- Full Driving Licence and access to vehicle
Person Specification
Knowledge
Desirable
- General understanding of well-being and community services
- Good understanding of interventions, behavioural and motivational change methodologies
- Good understanding of social prescribing
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards this level.
Desirable
- Health & Well-being qualification
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
- Strong IT skills
- Clear, polite telephone manner
- Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
- Effective time management (planning and organising)
- Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving & analytical skills
- Ability to follow policy and procedure
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with the general public
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting or in the leisure industry / public / voluntary sector
- Experience of working with vulnerable people
Desirable
- Experience of delivering lifestyle changes interventions
- Experience of working as a health advisor / trainer
Personal qualities
Essential
- Polite and confident
- Flexible and cooperative
- Motivated Forward thinker
- Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
- Ability to work under pressure and flexibly when required
- Full Driving Licence and access to vehicle
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.