Sutton Primary Care Networks

Social Prescriber Link Worker Role (SPLW)

The closing date is 15 May 2026

Job summary

The purpose of the role is to develop collaborative relationships and work in partnership with health, social care, and community and voluntary sector providers and multidisciplinary teams to holistically support patients wider health and well-being, public health, and contributing to the reduction of health inequalities; provide education and specialist expertise to PCN staff, supporting them to improve their skills and understanding of personalised care, behavioural approaches and ensuring consistency in the follow up of peoples goals with MDT input; work with the GPs and other primary care professionals within the PCN to identify and manage a caseload of patients, and where required and as appropriate, refer people back to other health professionals within the PCN, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals. Ifyou would like the opportunity to make a difference in our community, come and join our Sutton PCN Health & Wellbeing Team as a Social Prescriber. We are looking for dynamic and enthusiastic Link Workers, able to work full time or job share who will support people to take pro-active steps to improve the way they manage their physical and mental health conditions, based on what matters to them, to improve their health outcomes and quality of life.

Main duties of the job

Referrals
Providing personalised support
Building relationship in the community
Personal and professional development
Communications

About us

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan, with all general practices being required to be in a network by June 2019, and ICBs being required to commit recurrent funding to develop and maintain them. The networks will have expanded neighborhood teams which will comprise a range of staff such as GPs, pharmacists, district nurses, community geriatricians, dementia workers and Allied Health Professionals such as physiotherapists and podiatrists/chiropodists, joined by social care and the voluntary sector. Under the plans, all general practices will be aligned to a PCN, covering 30,000-50,000 patients, with local Enhanced services funded by ICBs and provided through the new network contracts (see below). The networks will provide the structure and funding for services to be developed locally, in response to the needs of the patients they serve. It is important that community pharmacy teams are fully involved in the work of their PCN. PCNs are based on general practice registered lists, typically serving natural communities of around 30,000 to 50,000 patients. They should be small enough to provide the personal care valued by both patients and healthcare professionals, but large enough to have impact and economies of scale through better collaboration between general practices and others in the local health and social care system, including community pharmacies.

Date posted

20 April 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£30,000 to £35,000 a year Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A2700-26-0027

Job locations

Thomas Wall Centre

52 Benhill Avenue

Sutton

Surrey

SM1 4DP

Job description

Job responsibilities

As members of the PCNs team of health professionals, take referrals from the PCNs Core Network Practices to support the health and wellbeing of patients

Assess how far a patients health and wellbeing needs can be met by services and other opportunities available in the community

Co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan to address the patients health and wellbeing needs by introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services, including weight management support and signposting where appropriate around what matters to the person

Evaluate how far the actions in the care and support plan are meeting the patients health and wellbeing needs

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

These agencies include but are not limited to: the PCNs members, 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. Including considering if the persons needs are met (for example, reasonable adjustments, interpreter)

Take a holistic approach, based on the patients priorities and the wider determinants of health

Explore and support access to a personal health budget where appropriate

To manage and prioritise their own caseload, in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of their population and Where required and as appropriate, refer patients back to other health professionals within the PCN.

To work with patients to help them understand their level of knowledge, skills and confidence when engaging with their health and well-being and subsequently supporting them in shared decision-making conversations.

Utilise SPLW skills to support people with lower levels of activation to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage page their health and wellbeing, whilst increasing their ability to access and utilise community support offers and

To work as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team, participating in progress meetings, ensuring that the MDT is kept fully up-to-date with progress reports

To ensure that all complaints and compliments received are recorded in line with organisational policy.

To recognise the importance of safeguarding procedures within the project, and ensuring that any concerns, disclosures or allegations of abuse are immediately and correctly reported.

To embed equality, diversity and inclusion best practice into all aspects of work.

To work to the requirements of the organisations quality standards, and other service-specific quality accreditations as required, abiding by organisational ethos and principles

To attend and participate in regular supervision, appraisals, training and other internal meetings.

At all times provide a caring service and to treat everyone in a courteous and respectful manner.

Flexible to work out-of-hours as required according to service needs and demands.

Appendix A South London Partnership Trailblazers Project Employment Referral Pathway for Social Prescribing clients

Initially a 9 month project starting September 2025 (date tbc)

Support the development of pathways for skills training and employment opportunities for patients

To raise local awareness of the negative impact of unemployment on health and wellbeing and promote the services available to support individuals to reintegrate economically

Identify unemployed patient cohort that would not normally engage in employment services and or leave their locality Liaise with Borough employment teams to target those in need of employment support. Helping other primary and community care practitioners to promote employment as a health outcome Advertise to GP Practices that patients seeking sick notes and sick note extensions can be seen by a Social Prescribing Link Worker to be referred into the SLP referral pathway if appropriate as well as have a full holistic assessment. To engage with a variety of communities around employment, attending events and sessions run by SPCNs or our collaborative partners.

Target KPI- 40 referrals to the SLP pathway within the 9 month period.