Social Prescriber

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION

Meon Health Practice Social Prescriber

16 hours

£15.96 per hour

Report to Manager of the Wellbeing Team

Accountable to Meon PCN Business Lead

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.

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.

The Social Prescriber will work within the Wellbeing Team for the patients of Meon Health Practice covering three GP Practices. This role will involve working with individuals and groups utilising untapped community resources, support the facilitation of groups and other innovative approaches to enable people to better manage their own health and wellbeing. The post holder will manage a case load supporting people 1:1 and in groups. In addition the Social Prescriber will work collaboratively with the wider team to develop the service, reviewing progress and identifying where solutions are best delivered at local level.

Take referrals from a wide range of agencies working within the Meon Health Practice area

Manage and prioritise own caseload

Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes

Using a holistic approach, co-produce a personalised support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groups, statutory services and primary or community health services

Where appropriate, physically introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable. Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, included and receiving good support

Understand when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people to other health professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the Social Prescriber e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner

Attend meetings within the locality as appropriate

Attend weekly allocation meetings and monthly team meetings

To be willing to work a share of the enhanced hours which consists of Monday evenings and the monthly Saturday morning drop ins

Build and maintain strong links with the voluntary sector, supporting the voluntary and statutory sector to network and improve partnership working

Contribute to mapping both statutory and voluntary services in the community that promote health and wellbeing

Contribute to keeping the community directory up to date for their allocated area

Listen to the needs of individuals/groups, and be aware of areas where there are gaps in what is available in the community to access support to better self-manage health and wellbeing

Understand the barriers for individuals/groups in accessing support in the community, and use this insight in developing community-based support, working as part of the wider social prescribing model

Promote the service within the Meon Health Practice, both for users and clinicians, building positive working relationships

Contribute to and work with others to organise awareness raising events for services that help support people to improve their health and wellbeing

Link into networking events for service providers and existing networks/community forums

Develop and maintain constructive working relationships and liaise effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team so that patients needs are met

The post holder will have a key role in helping to raise the local populations awareness of the support, groups and opportunities available to assist them in achieving their health and wellbeing goals

To understand the importance of the role of carers and provide coordination and navigation for people and their carers across health and care services

To be willing to work a share of the monthly Saturday morning cancer drop ins and Monday evening mental health service.

To support the wider team by promoting staff wellbeing initiatives and events

The post holder is responsible for maintaining and inputting patient records into a database and ensuring patients receive adequate follow-up support

Under supervision, work with and liaise with a range of individuals/groups and organisations across sectors in helping to fill gaps in community-based support within current resources

Support new staff and volunteer induction, as required, so that they understand acceptable practice and standards

Maintain personal and professional development in order to maintain skill levels and highlight training and development that is needed to the line manager

Use reflective practice to analyse incidents and events and to develop high quality care and support undertake training and education as necessary (including mandatory training) to ensure both own personal and also organisational needs are met

Take part in Reflective Practice and supervision in order to develop practice

Participate in Appraisal and agree a Personal Development Plan

To work in a calm and professional manner and raise any issues or concerns with the line manager

This role will involve supporting patients who may be experiencing emotional distress. This will require skills in empathy, tact, reassurance and sensitivity

It is the responsibility of all employees to work with managers to achieve a healthy and safe environment, and to take reasonable care of themselves and others.

The post holder is required to have a car for business use and hold relevant motor insurance, and must hold a current UK driving licence.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of supporting families (children and youths)
• Knowledge of patient needs with long term conditions
• Experience in health promotions
• Experience in behaviour change, motivational interviewing and goal setting
• Knowledge of the voluntary sector and issues facing those that want to set up groups/services
• Planning and coordinating MDT activities, Pre Discharge meetings in hospital
• Experience of working with people from a wide range of backgrounds
• Awareness of local and national health policies
• Good group facilitation skills
• Good communication skills both verbal and non-verbal 1:1 and with groups

Desirable

• Knowledge of public health issues in the area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health economy
• Knowledge and experience of training volunteers
• Ability to identify determinants on health in the local area

Knowledge and Qualities

Essential

• Planning and coordinating MDT activities in, pre discharge in hospitals
• Awareness of local and nation health policy
• Able to juggle competing priorities, in order to complete work to a high standard and plan ahead to achieve targets.
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Computer literate
• Negotiation and conflict management skills
• Flexibility
• Team player
• Acts with integrity and confidentiality

Qualifications

Essential

• Foundation degree/Diploma or equivalent work experience

Desirable

• Degree in health related study

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.

Employer details

Employer name

The Highlands Practice

Address

102 Highlands Road

Fareham

Hampshire

PO15 6JF

Employer's website

http://www.meonhealthpractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)