Job summary
Neighbourhood
navigation (social prescribing) is a NEW service for East Surrey and will
provide a means of enabling GPs, nurses, other health and care and social
professionals to refer or recommend people via the Navigators into a range of
local, non-clinical community-based services.
As a
Navigator you will be as part a team and working alongside health professionals
from across the five Neighbourhood teams in East Surrey, providing a key role
in supporting people to prevent ill health and to lessen the impact on the long-term
conditions on everyday life.
You will be
work closely with patients to understand their needs and use the Joy platform
to find the best community support that will improve their overall health and
wellbeing, allow them to feel empowered and gain confidence.
Interview dates: 13 and 14 August 2025
Main duties of the job
As a
navigator you will be working directly with patients referred in by a variety
of health professionals, you will need to be a good listener, a strong
communicator and a problem solver to signpost patients correctly into a
community group, club or support.
There is a
variety of community support within East Surrey, the Navigators will play a
part in extending this support and building the knowledge within the database.
Your
role will be to empower people to manage their existing
health or social issue by supporting and guiding them. You will use online
tools such as MYCaW to easily evaluate and understand what is most important to
the person, and how can we help them to reconnect, grow in confidence and take
control of their health.
About us
Do you want to be part of an organisation that was rated best provider of NHS care to work for nationwide? (2023 staff survey results)
First Community is a staff owned
social enterprise rated Good by CQC, which delivers NHS community services across
east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We
are looking for individuals who share our values First-rate care, First-rate people,
First-rate value.
First Community is a great place
to work, everyone has a voice and is supported to develop their career to its
full potential. We offer all our staff: NHS terms and conditions, high quality
training and development opportunities, flexible working to enable a good work
life balance, an inclusive and friendly work environment, an NHS pension,
flexible retirement options and various employee benefits.
Please talk to us before applying
or at interview about the flexibility you need. We may not be able to meet your
needs exactly, but we do promise to fully consider your request and meet your needs
where possible. Please note, flexible working options may vary depending on the
role.
At First Community we welcome
applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+
candidates and candidates with disabilities. We ensure that all applicants are
treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process,
including the consideration of reasonable adjustments.
Sustainability is integral to
First Community achieving the NHS Net Zero target.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Neighbourhood Navigators
will be key to supporting the delivery of the new East Surrey social prescribing
service and the new digital Joy platform. The Joy platform allows health
professionals to access preventative care options for patients that will lead
to a better, long term health outcomes for people. The service will be aligned
and integrated with the five East Surrey neighbourhoods and the local health
and wellbeing networks.
Navigators will receive referrals from GPs, nurses,
Health and Social Care and from voluntary and community sector organisations. The
navigators will use a whole population approach to support people to manage
their physical and mental wellbeing, build community resilience and make
informed decisions and choices when their health changes. This can improve overall
health and wellbeing outcomes and reduce ill health, lessen the impact of long-term
conditions and help to reduce the pressure on NHS services.
The new service
will be working in partnership with key stakeholders in East Surrey including
GP practices, Primary Care Networks (PCNs), Growing Health together, Local
Authorities, Voluntary Community and social Enterprises (VCSE), Ageing well
steering group, East Surrey Place, local community providers and Community link
workers.
When completing your application please refer to both the
Application Guide and full Job Description & Person Specification - these
can be found under supporting documents.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Neighbourhood Navigators
will be key to supporting the delivery of the new East Surrey social prescribing
service and the new digital Joy platform. The Joy platform allows health
professionals to access preventative care options for patients that will lead
to a better, long term health outcomes for people. The service will be aligned
and integrated with the five East Surrey neighbourhoods and the local health
and wellbeing networks.
Navigators will receive referrals from GPs, nurses,
Health and Social Care and from voluntary and community sector organisations. The
navigators will use a whole population approach to support people to manage
their physical and mental wellbeing, build community resilience and make
informed decisions and choices when their health changes. This can improve overall
health and wellbeing outcomes and reduce ill health, lessen the impact of long-term
conditions and help to reduce the pressure on NHS services.
The new service
will be working in partnership with key stakeholders in East Surrey including
GP practices, Primary Care Networks (PCNs), Growing Health together, Local
Authorities, Voluntary Community and social Enterprises (VCSE), Ageing well
steering group, East Surrey Place, local community providers and Community link
workers.
When completing your application please refer to both the
Application Guide and full Job Description & Person Specification - these
can be found under supporting documents.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to A Level or Equivalent qualifications
Desirable
- Health and wellbeing or motivational interviewing qualification
Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of accuracy and attention to detail in tasks.
- Ability to understand an area and map organisations.
- Good understanding of health and wellbeing issues, health inequalities, wider determinants of health and Social Prescribing.
- Understanding of East Surrey Place, neighbourhood health and Health and Wellbeing networks.
- Good IT and administrative skills e.g., Microsoft Office, databases and web platforms.
- Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.
- Full driving licence and access to a car.
Desirable
- Ability to manage varying workloads and prioritise tasks.
- Flexible, adaptable, and creative.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent listening and communication skills, able to adapt communication style and approach to fit the person and individual situation.
- Excellent listening and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Understanding of the needs of small, volunteer-led groups and how to support their growth and sustainability
- Commitment to shared decision making when working with individuals.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Good IT skills and record keeping
- A team player
Desirable
- Evidence of accuracy and attention to detail in tasks.
- Ability to understand an area and map organisations.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within social prescribing, voluntary sector, primary care, public health or health promotion.
- Experience of working with GPs, and other clinical and non-clinical staff within a referral-based service.
- Working in partnership and build effective relationships with community organisations.
- Outgoing and passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of others.
Desirable
- Experience of working with adults in need of support.
- Knowledge of using coaching, brief interventions, motivational interviewing & outcome measures.
- Be committed to supporting individual decision making and a person-centred approach.
- Experience of facilitating group workshops/exercises.
- A good understanding of the importance of building personal and organisational relationships within a community
- An understanding of Safeguarding vulnerable adults and ability to implement relevant procedures.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to A Level or Equivalent qualifications
Desirable
- Health and wellbeing or motivational interviewing qualification
Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of accuracy and attention to detail in tasks.
- Ability to understand an area and map organisations.
- Good understanding of health and wellbeing issues, health inequalities, wider determinants of health and Social Prescribing.
- Understanding of East Surrey Place, neighbourhood health and Health and Wellbeing networks.
- Good IT and administrative skills e.g., Microsoft Office, databases and web platforms.
- Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.
- Full driving licence and access to a car.
Desirable
- Ability to manage varying workloads and prioritise tasks.
- Flexible, adaptable, and creative.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent listening and communication skills, able to adapt communication style and approach to fit the person and individual situation.
- Excellent listening and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Understanding of the needs of small, volunteer-led groups and how to support their growth and sustainability
- Commitment to shared decision making when working with individuals.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Good IT skills and record keeping
- A team player
Desirable
- Evidence of accuracy and attention to detail in tasks.
- Ability to understand an area and map organisations.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within social prescribing, voluntary sector, primary care, public health or health promotion.
- Experience of working with GPs, and other clinical and non-clinical staff within a referral-based service.
- Working in partnership and build effective relationships with community organisations.
- Outgoing and passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of others.
Desirable
- Experience of working with adults in need of support.
- Knowledge of using coaching, brief interventions, motivational interviewing & outcome measures.
- Be committed to supporting individual decision making and a person-centred approach.
- Experience of facilitating group workshops/exercises.
- A good understanding of the importance of building personal and organisational relationships within a community
- An understanding of Safeguarding vulnerable adults and ability to implement relevant procedures.
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.
