Social Prescriber

Job description

Job responsibilities

Social Prescribers play a vital role within Primary Care Networks (PCNs), proactively identifying and supporting individualsincluding the frail, elderly, and those with long-term conditionsby coordinating and navigating care across health and care services.

The aim of the Social Prescribing team is to enhance patient care through collaborative working across primary care, supporting the development and evolution of GP practices, PCNs, and neighbourhoods. This comes at a time when general capacity within primary care is expanding rapidly.

About Social Prescribing

Social prescribing empowers individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing by connecting them to non-clinical support in their communities. Social Prescribers take a personalised, holistic approachfocusing on what matters to meand support individuals in accessing a wide range of community groups and statutory services for both practical and emotional needs.

In addition to working directly with clients, social prescribers also help make community groups more accessible and sustainable. They may also support the creation of new groups and collaborate with a range of local and diverse partners.

Key Responsibilities

Act as a key member of the PCNs multi-disciplinary team

Support patients referred by GPs, managing a caseload through assessment, goal-setting, and onward referral

Provide time-limited, ongoing support to promote engagement with identified services

Deliver local projects that respond to community health needs and contribute to the wider aims of the PCN

Help address wider determinants of health, such as debt, housing, and physical inactivity

Work with individuals who may be lonely, socially isolated, or experiencing mental health challenges

Strengthen community and personal resilience and reduce health and wellbeing inequalities

Promote personalised care and embed this approach across the PCN

Support or initiate community-based groups to improve accessibility and reach

Collaboration

The successful candidate will work closely with GPs, care coordinators, health and wellbeing coaches, and other members of the PCN to ensure an integrated and person-centred approach to care.

Working Environment

Based within GP practices across the PCN footprint

Involves a combination of in-practice work, community engagement, and local project delivery

There may be requirements to work remotely depending on the roles demands

Please note: this is not a clinical role

Core working hours are between 8:00am and 6:00pm, subject to the needs of the patients

Essential Skills and Experience

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Experience working in health, social care, or other roles involving direct support to individuals, families, or carers

Ability to manage a caseload and maintain accurate records

Empathetic, patient-centred approach with strong organisational skills

Confidence in working across varied environments and with diverse populations

Resilience and the ability to remain calm and focused in challenging or emotionally demanding situations

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in health, social care and other support roles in direct contact with people, families or carers (in a paid or voluntary capacity) Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role Strong organisational and written skills, including planning, prioritising, time management and record keeping

Desirable

• Knowledge of Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults policies and processes

Qualifications

Essential

• Experience of working in health, social care and other support roles in direct contact with people, families or carers (in a paid or voluntary capacity) Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role Strong organisational and written skills, including planning, prioritising, time management and record keeping

Desirable

• Knowledge of Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults policies and processes

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

Maidenhead Primary Care Network

Address

Cedars Surgery

8 Cookham Road

Maidenhead

Berkshire

SL6 8AJ

Employer's website

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