Social Prescribing Link Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities:

1. Take referrals from GP practices within Primary Care Networks, providing practice-based consultations with patients (and possibly carers etc) and occasional community-based appointments. i.e. housebound patients, community service events.

2. Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes. Supporting them with issues such as debt, housing, employment, loneliness and caring responsibilities.

3. Develop 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.

4. Co-produce a personalised supportplan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groupsand statutory services.

5. Integrate into and form part of General Practice/Primary Care Network teams to provide the support needed in those communities they serve.

6. Liaise and communicate with Patients, Carers, Advocates, Health and Social Care professionals, voluntary sector and stakeholders involved in the wellbeing of your caseload and communities

7. Ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner, 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, 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.

8. Build relationships with staff in GP practices within the local Primary Care Network (PCN), attending relevant meetings, becoming part of the wider network team, giving information and feedback on social prescribing to promote the social prescribing service.

9. Work in partnership with local agencies to raise awareness of social prescribing and how partnership working can reduce pressure on statutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic approach to care.

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

11. Work with local partners to identify unmet needs within the community and gaps in community provision.Whilst empowering patients to volunteer and build their skills and confidence and strengthen community resilience

12. Work sensitively with people, their families and carers to capture key information, enabling tracking referrals into the service and the impact of social prescribing.

13. and any other duties commensurate with the role as advised by your line manager.

KEY EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

Data and confidentiality

Workin line with GDPR principles at all times, keeping up to date with training and identifying any potential breeches quickly and appropriately.

Keeping patient confidentiality at the heart of what we do only access a persons information in the legitimate execution of your duties.

Undertake GDPR risk assessments for new data sharing activities, where appropriate

Professional development

Work with your line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development.

Undertake relevant training as required.Continually update own knowledge and skills within the job role.

Maintain any professional accreditation necessary for your role.

Team working and policies and procedures:

• Work as part of the Arc team to seek feedback, develop and maintain effective working relationships and improve the service.
• Work effectively with our GP Practices, understanding that they are your hosts, not your employer.
• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, health and safety, discipline, grievance and whistleblowing.
• Act at all times in a manner consistentwith legislation, policy and procedures in respect of Equality and Diversity, and safeguarding.

Disclosure and barring service check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (exceptional order) 1975. As such, it will be necessary for a disclosure submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check previous criminal convictions.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards
• 8 GCSEs Grade A to C or equivalent qualifications

Desirable

• Training in motivational interviewing coaching/counselling or equivalent experience
• Training and working knowledge of safeguarding adults and children

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a community, social care or voluntary sector
• Experience of computer software packages including excellent use of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Experience of working with clients on a 1:1 basis

Desirable

• Experience of using SystmOne or any other case management systems
• Experience of working within primary care
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of working with voluntary organisations including volunteers
• Experience of producing individual care plans
• Experience of managing a caseload
• Experience of supporting people in a paid or unpaid capacity

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Essential

• Understanding of and commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace and in the delivery of services
• Can organise and prioritise workload
• Knowledge of person-centred approaches
• Understanding of local health and social care services
• Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues, patients and external organisations
• Ability to assess risk, anticipate difficulties and successfully address them
• Effective communication, both verbally and in writing

Desirable

• Knowledge of the local voluntary sector and local services
• Familiar with Safeguarding

Other

Essential

• DBS clearance
• Ability to travel within the requirements of the role, with access to own transport, (reasonable adjustments will be made)

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

Arc Primary Care

Address

Brimington Medical Centre

Foljambe Road

Brimington

Chesterfield

Derbyshire

S43 1DD

Employer's website

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