PCN Social Prescribing Link Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Working with direct supervision by a GP, taking referrals from a wide range of agencies - working with primary care networks, community health teams, hospital discharge teams, social care services, housing agencies, employment organisations and the voluntary & community sector (VCS). This list is not exhaustive.

2. Provide personalised support to individuals, families and carers, helping them to take control of their well-being so they can live more independently and improve their health outcomes, as key members of the Primary Care Network multi-disciplinary team.

3. Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focusing on what matters to the person. The approach should be holistic and based on the individuals aspirations and goals and how these impact the wider determinants of health.

4. Co-produce a personalised support package to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or re-connecting people to community groups and statutory services. The role may involve managing a caseload and this will need to be prioritised based on competing demands and the needs of clients.

5. Draw on, and increase, the strengths and capacities of local communities - enabling VCS organisations and community groups to receive referrals. Ensure groups are supported and have basic safeguarding processes in place for vulnerable individuals, so people can develop friendships, a sense of belonging and increase knowledge, skills and confidence.

6. Alongside other members of the Primary Care Network multi-disciplinary team, work collaboratively with local partners to contribute towards supporting local VCS organisations and community groups to become sustainable and that community asset are nurtured. This may mean making group leaders aware of opportunities for small grants or micro-commissioning, where available. It may also mean providing help to set up new community groups and services, where gaps in local provision are identified.

7. Social Prescribing Link Workers will have a role in educating non-clinical and clinical staff within their Primary Care Network multi-disciplinary teams on what other services are available within the community and how and when patients can access them. This may include verbal or written advice and guidance.

Key tasks

Referrals

Promote social prescribing and the role it can play in facilitating self-management and improving outcomes by addressing the wider determinants of health.

As part of the Primary Care Network multi-disciplinary team, build relationships with key stakeholders and workers in other well-being pathways that are part of the PCN. Attend relevant multi-disciplinary team meetings and provide information and feedback on social prescribing and other wellbeing-related services.

Develop strong links with local agencies, encouraging referrals by providing a high-quality and responsive service to referring practitioners.

Work in partnership with local agencies to raise awareness of how social prescribing and other well-being pathways can reduce pressure on statutory services and enable a holistic approach to care.

Provide advice and training on how to access information about support-related services and make appropriate referrals.

Seek feedback from referring agencies about service quality and impact.

Encourage referrals from communities that statutory agencies find hard to reach.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working directly in a community development context, health and social care, learning support, public health or health improvement. This can include unpaid work.
• Experience in supporting people, their families and carers in a related role.
• Experience in support planning
• Experience working with the VCS sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity), including with volunteers and small community groups

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or experience, or working towards. Supporting evidence will be required if you are working towards a level 3 NVQ.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working within a PCN.

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

Waltham Forest Federated GP Network

Address

500 Larkshall Road

Highams Park

London

E4 9HH

Employer's website

https://wfgpfednet.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)