Island City Network PCN

Social Prescriber

The closing date is 07 November 2025

Job summary

A fantastic opportunity to join the Island City Network as a Social Prescriber. Join a well-established team of Social Prescribers helping patients navigate support and resources for their non-clinical issues.

Main duties of the job

Our Social Prescribers work alongside the GPs and clinical staff to provide non-clinical advice and support to patients. We recognise that lots of things affect patients wellbeing and not everything can be fixed by medication. Social prescribers work with patients to understand what may be having an impact on their health and help the patient find help and resolutions to their challenges.

About us

Island City Network is an innovative, friendly and forward thinking healthcare group. We are located in the fascinating Historic Naval City of Portsmouth on the South Coast. Where we lead others follow. General Practice is changing at pace and we see this as a positive and opportunistic challenge.

Island City Network includes Island City Practice, and Derby Road Group Practice. Our combined list size is c.53,876 patients. Island City Network is proud and enthusiastic to be an inventive front runner in the new era of The Primary Care Network. In our team, we currently have 4 Social Prescribers, 5 Care Co-ordinators, 4 Pharmacy Technicians, 3 Clinical Pharmacists, 1 Digital Transformation Lead, 1 Mental Health Facilitator, 1 Practice Nurse, 1 Occupational Therapist, 5 Paramedics, and 2 Physios

Details

Date posted

24 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£15.88 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A5530-25-0002

Job locations

Lake Road Health Centre

Nutfield Place

Portsmouth

PO1 4JT


Derby Road Surgery

Derby Road

Portsmouth

PO2 8HP


Job description

Job responsibilities

As an Island City Network Social Prescriber you will work across the GP practices within our network innovatively with guidance and support from your Team leader, the lead GP, the wider Network Management Team and our current Social Prescribers.

Patient consultations may include in person review, telephone review, home visits, e-consultations, emails and tele-consultation. Full Training and support will be given where required. You will also be required to run a drop in session 2 - 3 a month at a local community cafe.

The role will further include support for cases referred by other Health Professionals within the Island City Network and other outside agencies and professionals.

A vital aim of the role will be to reduce GP and other Health Professionals workload. It is anticipated that suitable cases that may have previously booked to see a GP will be seen and advised by the Social Prescriber without the need for GP interaction.

The Social Prescribers will be expected to work independently with patients within their sphere of knowledge. In addition independent management of workload is expected.

Furthermore the Social Prescriber may be involved in Multi-disciplinary team meetings and events where appropriate.

A holistic and family-based approach will often be required in order to promote the best possible outcomes for patients.

The ability to record clear consultation notes and plans for social prescribing on the electronic computer records is essential. System specific IT training will be given. Records should be clear to both clinical and non-clinical Island City Network staff as well as being suitable for the patient should they wish a copy.

Appointments with patients with not be excessively long, convoluted or in un-necessary levels of detail. Instead appointments will be sensibly time limited and remain focused on the patients requirement and completed with a clear patient plan.

The role may involve innovative project work in line with new and future opportunities that are identified by Island City Network. This would be as a member of a new project team within the Network.

A high level of professionalism is expected as is conduct in line with Island City Networks core values of high-quality safe care and respect to staff and patients alike.

The Social Prescriber should be willing to lead and assist educational activities for Island City Network staff both clinical and non-clinical.

Social Prescribers will build and maintain professional working relationships with appropriate statutory, charitable and other service providers throughout the city.

A clinical supervisor will be available to the Social Prescriber to discuss and help with any patient related concerns to help guide the appropriate actions when a case falls outside of the social prescribing sphere

Audit of the effectiveness and benefits of social prescribing interventions may at times benefit from involvement of the Social Prescriber in combination with other network staff.

The Social Prescriber will help maintain with appropriate IT assistance a regularly updated database of appropriate social resources in the city.

The Social Prescriber is likely to have a role in assisting further training and education for other practice staff in social prescribing terms particularly care navigators.

General Responsibilities

Health and safety/Risk Management

The post holder will be trained in and expected to use the personal security systems available within the practice

To identify any risks involved in their work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks

The post holder must comply at all times with the practices health and safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures and reporting clinical incidents using Significant Event Reporting system

To use computers safely and appropriately

1. Information Governance

The practice is registered under the Data Protection Act 1984. The post holder will comply with the Data Protection Act and the Access To Health Records Act, the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 and the practice policies regarding information governance at all times. You must not at any time use the personal data held by the practice for a purpose not described in the register entry or disclose such data to a third party. If you are in any doubt regarding what you should or should not do in connection with the Data Protection Act, then you must contact your line Manager.

2. Confidentiality

All dealings within the practice remain strictly confidential and the post holder would be expected to maintain this confidentiality at all times. You will have access to confidential information relating to practice business and to individuals. You are required to exercise due consideration in a way you use such information when carrying out your duties. Should you have any doubts regarding the use of information in carrying out your duties, you should seek advice from your line manager.

3. Equality and diversity

The post holder must cooperate with all policies and procedure designed to ensure equality of employment and treatment in line with the Practice Equal Opportunities Policy. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome this and promote diversity and equality of opportunity.

Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights.

Monitor and evaluate adhere to local chaperoning policies.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As an Island City Network Social Prescriber you will work across the GP practices within our network innovatively with guidance and support from your Team leader, the lead GP, the wider Network Management Team and our current Social Prescribers.

Patient consultations may include in person review, telephone review, home visits, e-consultations, emails and tele-consultation. Full Training and support will be given where required. You will also be required to run a drop in session 2 - 3 a month at a local community cafe.

The role will further include support for cases referred by other Health Professionals within the Island City Network and other outside agencies and professionals.

A vital aim of the role will be to reduce GP and other Health Professionals workload. It is anticipated that suitable cases that may have previously booked to see a GP will be seen and advised by the Social Prescriber without the need for GP interaction.

The Social Prescribers will be expected to work independently with patients within their sphere of knowledge. In addition independent management of workload is expected.

Furthermore the Social Prescriber may be involved in Multi-disciplinary team meetings and events where appropriate.

A holistic and family-based approach will often be required in order to promote the best possible outcomes for patients.

The ability to record clear consultation notes and plans for social prescribing on the electronic computer records is essential. System specific IT training will be given. Records should be clear to both clinical and non-clinical Island City Network staff as well as being suitable for the patient should they wish a copy.

Appointments with patients with not be excessively long, convoluted or in un-necessary levels of detail. Instead appointments will be sensibly time limited and remain focused on the patients requirement and completed with a clear patient plan.

The role may involve innovative project work in line with new and future opportunities that are identified by Island City Network. This would be as a member of a new project team within the Network.

A high level of professionalism is expected as is conduct in line with Island City Networks core values of high-quality safe care and respect to staff and patients alike.

The Social Prescriber should be willing to lead and assist educational activities for Island City Network staff both clinical and non-clinical.

Social Prescribers will build and maintain professional working relationships with appropriate statutory, charitable and other service providers throughout the city.

A clinical supervisor will be available to the Social Prescriber to discuss and help with any patient related concerns to help guide the appropriate actions when a case falls outside of the social prescribing sphere

Audit of the effectiveness and benefits of social prescribing interventions may at times benefit from involvement of the Social Prescriber in combination with other network staff.

The Social Prescriber will help maintain with appropriate IT assistance a regularly updated database of appropriate social resources in the city.

The Social Prescriber is likely to have a role in assisting further training and education for other practice staff in social prescribing terms particularly care navigators.

General Responsibilities

Health and safety/Risk Management

The post holder will be trained in and expected to use the personal security systems available within the practice

To identify any risks involved in their work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks

The post holder must comply at all times with the practices health and safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures and reporting clinical incidents using Significant Event Reporting system

To use computers safely and appropriately

1. Information Governance

The practice is registered under the Data Protection Act 1984. The post holder will comply with the Data Protection Act and the Access To Health Records Act, the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 and the practice policies regarding information governance at all times. You must not at any time use the personal data held by the practice for a purpose not described in the register entry or disclose such data to a third party. If you are in any doubt regarding what you should or should not do in connection with the Data Protection Act, then you must contact your line Manager.

2. Confidentiality

All dealings within the practice remain strictly confidential and the post holder would be expected to maintain this confidentiality at all times. You will have access to confidential information relating to practice business and to individuals. You are required to exercise due consideration in a way you use such information when carrying out your duties. Should you have any doubts regarding the use of information in carrying out your duties, you should seek advice from your line manager.

3. Equality and diversity

The post holder must cooperate with all policies and procedure designed to ensure equality of employment and treatment in line with the Practice Equal Opportunities Policy. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome this and promote diversity and equality of opportunity.

Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights.

Monitor and evaluate adhere to local chaperoning policies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Desirable

  • Qualification and Training:
  • Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
  • NVQ level 2 in Health or Social Care or other relevant professional academic qualification
  • Training in motivational coaching

Experience

Essential

  • Working with the general public
  • Working in a healthcare setting
  • Supporting individuals and families in a community setting
  • Social care work
  • Health advisory or training roles
  • Voluntary sector work
  • Community orientated work or roles

Desirable

  • Ability to work independently
  • To organise and prioritise own work
  • Good communication and networking skills
  • Ability to problem solve variable situations and variables
  • Basic IT skills
  • Good written and oral presentation skills
  • Understanding of the wider health care and social context
  • Knowledge of local NHS, voluntary and statutory services

Job Specific Personal Attributes:

Essential

  • Enthusiastic and dynamic approach
  • Good communication and inspired trust and confidence
  • Good listening skills and empathic approach
  • High levels of motivation and professionality
  • Good time keeping skills
  • Reliability
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Emotional resilience
  • A sense of humour
Person Specification

Qualifications

Desirable

  • Qualification and Training:
  • Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
  • NVQ level 2 in Health or Social Care or other relevant professional academic qualification
  • Training in motivational coaching

Experience

Essential

  • Working with the general public
  • Working in a healthcare setting
  • Supporting individuals and families in a community setting
  • Social care work
  • Health advisory or training roles
  • Voluntary sector work
  • Community orientated work or roles

Desirable

  • Ability to work independently
  • To organise and prioritise own work
  • Good communication and networking skills
  • Ability to problem solve variable situations and variables
  • Basic IT skills
  • Good written and oral presentation skills
  • Understanding of the wider health care and social context
  • Knowledge of local NHS, voluntary and statutory services

Job Specific Personal Attributes:

Essential

  • Enthusiastic and dynamic approach
  • Good communication and inspired trust and confidence
  • Good listening skills and empathic approach
  • High levels of motivation and professionality
  • Good time keeping skills
  • Reliability
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Emotional resilience
  • A sense of humour

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Island City Network PCN

Address

Lake Road Health Centre

Nutfield Place

Portsmouth

PO1 4JT


Employer's website

https://www.islandcitypractice.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Island City Network PCN

Address

Lake Road Health Centre

Nutfield Place

Portsmouth

PO1 4JT


Employer's website

https://www.islandcitypractice.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Network Manager

Leigh Spurling

Leigh.Spurling1@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

24 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£15.88 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A5530-25-0002

Job locations

Lake Road Health Centre

Nutfield Place

Portsmouth

PO1 4JT


Derby Road Surgery

Derby Road

Portsmouth

PO2 8HP


Privacy notice

Island City Network PCN's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)