Job summary
Job summary
The social prescriber link worker (SPLW) works alongside a
team within general practice and within the Primary Care Network (PCN)
empowering people to take control of their own health and well-being.
A referral to a non-medical link worker is designed to
support patients in being able to take a holistic approach, connecting people
to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
Over time these roles help redirect patients to the most appropriate services
for their needs, reducing the pressure placed on general practice.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be an integral part of our GP teams,
working ins practices and across the PCN, as well as part of wider community
groups and their multidisciplinary teams. Our SPLWs will be working
collaboratively with all our local partners in the voluntary sector on a
regular basis.
Social prescribing can help to strengthen community
resilience and personal resilience whilst reducing health inequalities by
addressing the wider determinants of health such as debt, poor housing and
physical inactivity by increasing peoples active involvement within their
local communities.
This role can be particularly beneficial to patients with
long-term conditions, those with mental health issues and those who are lonely
or isolated or those patients who have complex social needs which affect their
wellbeing such as learning disabilities.
About us
About us
The new GP contract was published in early 2019 as part of
the NHS Long Term Plan. A key element of the new contract is the development of
Primary Care Networks (PCNs) which bring GP practices together with other local
services such as community, mental health, social care and the voluntary sector
to look after local populations. PCNs
help to join up services at a local level, focusing on the specific needs of
these local populations, with patients still accessing routine GP appointments
as they do now.
3 of the GP practices within our area have joined together
to form Durham West Primary Care Network. They are: Chastleton Medical Group,
Dunelm Medical Practice and The Medical Group
Our surgery teams are working closely with each other,
enjoying the ability to share expertise and resources, to develop new services.
Our vision is to continue to improve the quality of care that we provide in
alignment with the need of our patient population.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The social
prescriber link worker
(SPLW) works alongside a team within general practice and within the Primary Care
Network (PCN) empowering people to take control of their own health and
well-being.
A referral
to a non-medical link worker is designed to support patients in being able to
take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Over time these roles
help redirect patients to the most appropriate services for their needs,
reducing the pressure placed on general practice.
The post holder will be an integral part of
our GP teams, working ins practices and across the PCN, as well as part of wider
community groups and their multidisciplinary teams. Our SPLWs will
be working collaboratively with all our local
partners in the voluntary
sector on a regular basis.
Social prescribing can help to
strengthen community resilience and personal resilience whilst reducing health
inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health such as
debt, poor housing and physical
inactivity by increasing peoples active involvement within their local communities.
This role can be particularly beneficial to patients
with long-term conditions, those with mental
health issues and those who are lonely or isolated or those patients who have
complex social needs which affect their wellbeing such as learning disabilities
Job description
Job responsibilities
The social
prescriber link worker
(SPLW) works alongside a team within general practice and within the Primary Care
Network (PCN) empowering people to take control of their own health and
well-being.
A referral
to a non-medical link worker is designed to support patients in being able to
take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Over time these roles
help redirect patients to the most appropriate services for their needs,
reducing the pressure placed on general practice.
The post holder will be an integral part of
our GP teams, working ins practices and across the PCN, as well as part of wider
community groups and their multidisciplinary teams. Our SPLWs will
be working collaboratively with all our local
partners in the voluntary
sector on a regular basis.
Social prescribing can help to
strengthen community resilience and personal resilience whilst reducing health
inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health such as
debt, poor housing and physical
inactivity by increasing peoples active involvement within their local communities.
This role can be particularly beneficial to patients
with long-term conditions, those with mental
health issues and those who are lonely or isolated or those patients who have
complex social needs which affect their wellbeing such as learning disabilities
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work)
- Experience of working with the VCSE sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity), including with volunteers and small community groups
- Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity
- Experience of data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3, advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards
- Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development
Desirable
- Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or
- equivalent experience
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work)
- Experience of working with the VCSE sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity), including with volunteers and small community groups
- Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity
- Experience of data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3, advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards
- Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development
Desirable
- Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or
- equivalent experience
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.
