Social Prescriber - North & West Herefordshire PCN
This job is now closed
Job summary
The North & West PCN are delighted to recruit a Social Prescribing Link Worker to join their Health & Wellbeing Team.
The Social Prescribing Link Worker will join an established multi-disciplinary team working to support the health and wellbeing of our patients. The role will lead on community partnership initiatives within the local, but as an experienced practitioner they will also influence and guide improvement at a county level.
We are committed to having a workforce in which people from diverse backgrounds are supported and empowered to work with local communities to improve health access and outcomes for all and provide culturally appropriate and responsive public services.
There will be an opportunity to work remotely.
Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity to work with GP practices, NHS colleagues, social care and the voluntary sector, to identify the specific needs of our patient population and proactively support their health and wellbeing.
Social Prescribers help people to work on their wider health and wellbeing, specifically addressing health access and outcomes and wider determinants of their health e.g., debt, poor housing, and physical inactivity, as well as other lifestyle issues and low-level mental health concerns.
This approach particularly helps people suffering from health inequalities, those with long term conditions, people who are lonely or isolated, or who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.
About us
Taurus Healthcare was established in 2012, as the provider arm of the GP Federation serving 185,000 patients in Herefordshire. Founded and owned by the partners of the entire Herefordshire Primary Care community, Taurus is focused on providing excellent out of hospital services for patients. Our ethos is to provide high quality and cost-effective health outcomes that are delivered as close as possible to the patients home, whilst ensuring that patients who do require in hospital services are seen as quickly and effectively as possible.
We offer many employee benefits, such as:
- Access to the NHS pension scheme with 20.68% employer contribution.
- 33 to 38 days annual leave entitlement, including bank holidays, depending on service (pro rata for part-time staff).
- Access to the Blue Light extensive discount scheme.
The North & West PCN GP practices serve rural and market town communities responding to the wide - ranging health needs of the population. The network includes Kington Medical Practice, Ryeland Surgery, Mortimer Medical Practice, Tenbury Wells Surgery & Weobley and Staunton on Wye surgeries. It is a highly organised and forward looking PCN with strong relationships between practices and community providers.
The Social Prescribing Link Worker will be working with established general practice teams who have longstanding relationships with their local community and are committed to providing lifelong care in this beautiful part of Herefordshire.
Details
Date posted
08 December 2023
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£22,066.72 to £25,461.60 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
S0001-23-0101
Job locations
Suite 1, Berrows Business Centre
Bath Street
Hereford
Herefordshire
HR1 2HE
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE:
Social Prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-clinical social prescribing link workers. They give people time to focus on what matters to me and take a holistic approach to an individuals health and wellbeing. Social prescribers provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers and help patients to live independently and improve their health outcomes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Take referrals from the PCNs Core Network Practices and from a wide range of agencies, including pharmacies, health and care multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs), the emergency services, legal and welfare advice services, VCSE organisations, and through self-referrals (list not exhaustive).
Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to access community-based activities and support that can help them to take control of their health and wellbeing through co-producing a simple personalised care and support plan and introducing people to appropriate activities, groups and services as described above .
Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them and evaluate the individual impact of a persons wellness program.
Work with appropriate supervision as part of the PCN to manage and prioritise your own caseload, in accordance with needs, priorities and support required by individuals. Refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, as appropriate or necessary.
Build ongoing relationships with local infrastructure organisations, community activities and support services to increase knowledge of the community support offer, and work collaboratively to develop effective partnership working to support the community offer to be sustainable, identifying gaps in provision, nurturing community assets and sharing intelligence on gaps or problems with commissioners and local authorities.
Draw on and Increase the strength and capacity of the community, enabling local VCSE organisations and community groups to both receive social prescribing referrals and to make referrals to social prescribing link workers. Ensure those organisations and groups are supported and have basic safeguarding processes in place for vulnerable individuals.
Work together with all local partners to collectively ensure that local VCSE organisations and community groups are sustainable and that community assets are nurtured, by making them aware of small grants or micro-commissioning if available, including providing support to set up new community groups and services, where gaps are identified in local provision.
Educate non-clinical and clinical staff within PCN MDTs on the community support offer, how and when patients can access it, and the value of non-medical community-based interventions. This may include verbal or written advice and guidance.
Delivery group sessions on behaviour change.
Promote social prescribing as an approach across the PCN and wider agencies, including its role in supported self-management, in addressing health inequalities and the wider determinants of health, reducing pressure on statutory services, improving access to healthcare and improving health outcomes, and in taking a holistic approach
Collect activity-based data; ensuring that information and data is collected and recorded accurately and contribute to the production of reliable analyses and reports. This will include recording Patient Activation Measure during patient intake and again prior to patient discharge.
Maintain stock, resources and equipment required for the performance of their own work.
COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Colleagues across;
Herefordshire General Practice, including PCN Clinical Directors
Public Health
Community Brokers, including HVOSS partners and Talk Community staff
Health Improvement Practitioners, including Healthy Lifestyles, HALO and other providers
Adults and Communities
Childrens services
Local and national voluntary care organisations, including AgeUK and Turning Point
Social enterprises providing community support
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Effective Organisational skills
The ability to work on own initiative
Knowledge of the personalised care approach
Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities, individuals, their families and carers
Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion
Knowledge of community development approaches
Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports
Local knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality
Knowledge of how the NHS works, including primary care
Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/improvement (including unpaid work)
Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (including unpaid work)
CLINICAL GOVERNANCE AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
To realise the importance of confidentiality when dealing with patients and staff, particularly when giving or receiving information over the telephone in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
To maintain the high standards of the service by contributing towards individual, team and service objectives and acting at all times in the best interest of patients.
To accurately collect, collate and input data to Information Systems as required by procedures to ensure that patient database records are up to date and accurate.
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
To attend mandatory training and fire lectures regularly and assist with fire policy/evacuation procedure when necessary.
To keep up to date with and attend training on revisions to information systems or changes in protocols for the inputting of data in the light of Local and national initiatives. To adhere to agreed protocols at all times.
To participate in Individual Performance Review and Personal Development plans on an annual basis and to undertake training and development as identified within these discussions and as indicated by the requirements of the post.
INFORMATION GOVERNANCE
Herefordshire General Practice requires its staff to comply with Information Governance related standards and policies at all times when dealing with confidential information, which includes any information relating to the business of the company and its service users and employees.
All Herefordshire General Practice staff are bound by a duty of confidentiality and must conduct their duties in line with the NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice, Data Protection Act and Freedom of information Act.
Post-holders must maintain high standards of quality in corporate and clinical record keeping ensuring information is always recorded accurately and kept up to date. The post-holder must only access information, whether paper, electronic or in other media, which is authorised to them as part of their duties.
All Information obtained or held during the post-holders period of employment that relates to the business of the company and its service users and employees will remain the property of Herefordshire General Practice. Information may be subject to disclosure under legislation at the Companys discretion and in line with national rules on exemption.
Any breach of confidentiality or computer misuse could lead to disciplinary action, and in serious cases could result in dismissal. Breaches after the post-holders employment has ended could result in the Company taking legal action against them.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
To have responsibility for health, safety and welfare of self and others at work. This includes being conversant with Taurus Healthcare Health & Safety policies and procedures and ensuring incidents, accidents and near misses are reported; taking part in the risk management process and carrying out tasks/using equipment only when competent to do so.
Be responsible for ensuring the general environment is clear of all hazards.
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
Act in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Herefordshire General Practice procedures / policies and current legislations.
Act as a chaperone as needed.
Behave in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.
This job description may be amended by management through consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in, or to, the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE:
Social Prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-clinical social prescribing link workers. They give people time to focus on what matters to me and take a holistic approach to an individuals health and wellbeing. Social prescribers provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers and help patients to live independently and improve their health outcomes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Take referrals from the PCNs Core Network Practices and from a wide range of agencies, including pharmacies, health and care multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs), the emergency services, legal and welfare advice services, VCSE organisations, and through self-referrals (list not exhaustive).
Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to access community-based activities and support that can help them to take control of their health and wellbeing through co-producing a simple personalised care and support plan and introducing people to appropriate activities, groups and services as described above .
Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them and evaluate the individual impact of a persons wellness program.
Work with appropriate supervision as part of the PCN to manage and prioritise your own caseload, in accordance with needs, priorities and support required by individuals. Refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, as appropriate or necessary.
Build ongoing relationships with local infrastructure organisations, community activities and support services to increase knowledge of the community support offer, and work collaboratively to develop effective partnership working to support the community offer to be sustainable, identifying gaps in provision, nurturing community assets and sharing intelligence on gaps or problems with commissioners and local authorities.
Draw on and Increase the strength and capacity of the community, enabling local VCSE organisations and community groups to both receive social prescribing referrals and to make referrals to social prescribing link workers. Ensure those organisations and groups are supported and have basic safeguarding processes in place for vulnerable individuals.
Work together with all local partners to collectively ensure that local VCSE organisations and community groups are sustainable and that community assets are nurtured, by making them aware of small grants or micro-commissioning if available, including providing support to set up new community groups and services, where gaps are identified in local provision.
Educate non-clinical and clinical staff within PCN MDTs on the community support offer, how and when patients can access it, and the value of non-medical community-based interventions. This may include verbal or written advice and guidance.
Delivery group sessions on behaviour change.
Promote social prescribing as an approach across the PCN and wider agencies, including its role in supported self-management, in addressing health inequalities and the wider determinants of health, reducing pressure on statutory services, improving access to healthcare and improving health outcomes, and in taking a holistic approach
Collect activity-based data; ensuring that information and data is collected and recorded accurately and contribute to the production of reliable analyses and reports. This will include recording Patient Activation Measure during patient intake and again prior to patient discharge.
Maintain stock, resources and equipment required for the performance of their own work.
COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Colleagues across;
Herefordshire General Practice, including PCN Clinical Directors
Public Health
Community Brokers, including HVOSS partners and Talk Community staff
Health Improvement Practitioners, including Healthy Lifestyles, HALO and other providers
Adults and Communities
Childrens services
Local and national voluntary care organisations, including AgeUK and Turning Point
Social enterprises providing community support
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Effective Organisational skills
The ability to work on own initiative
Knowledge of the personalised care approach
Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities, individuals, their families and carers
Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion
Knowledge of community development approaches
Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports
Local knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality
Knowledge of how the NHS works, including primary care
Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/improvement (including unpaid work)
Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (including unpaid work)
CLINICAL GOVERNANCE AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
To realise the importance of confidentiality when dealing with patients and staff, particularly when giving or receiving information over the telephone in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
To maintain the high standards of the service by contributing towards individual, team and service objectives and acting at all times in the best interest of patients.
To accurately collect, collate and input data to Information Systems as required by procedures to ensure that patient database records are up to date and accurate.
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
To attend mandatory training and fire lectures regularly and assist with fire policy/evacuation procedure when necessary.
To keep up to date with and attend training on revisions to information systems or changes in protocols for the inputting of data in the light of Local and national initiatives. To adhere to agreed protocols at all times.
To participate in Individual Performance Review and Personal Development plans on an annual basis and to undertake training and development as identified within these discussions and as indicated by the requirements of the post.
INFORMATION GOVERNANCE
Herefordshire General Practice requires its staff to comply with Information Governance related standards and policies at all times when dealing with confidential information, which includes any information relating to the business of the company and its service users and employees.
All Herefordshire General Practice staff are bound by a duty of confidentiality and must conduct their duties in line with the NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice, Data Protection Act and Freedom of information Act.
Post-holders must maintain high standards of quality in corporate and clinical record keeping ensuring information is always recorded accurately and kept up to date. The post-holder must only access information, whether paper, electronic or in other media, which is authorised to them as part of their duties.
All Information obtained or held during the post-holders period of employment that relates to the business of the company and its service users and employees will remain the property of Herefordshire General Practice. Information may be subject to disclosure under legislation at the Companys discretion and in line with national rules on exemption.
Any breach of confidentiality or computer misuse could lead to disciplinary action, and in serious cases could result in dismissal. Breaches after the post-holders employment has ended could result in the Company taking legal action against them.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
To have responsibility for health, safety and welfare of self and others at work. This includes being conversant with Taurus Healthcare Health & Safety policies and procedures and ensuring incidents, accidents and near misses are reported; taking part in the risk management process and carrying out tasks/using equipment only when competent to do so.
Be responsible for ensuring the general environment is clear of all hazards.
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
Act in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Herefordshire General Practice procedures / policies and current legislations.
Act as a chaperone as needed.
Behave in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.
This job description may be amended by management through consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in, or to, the job.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3/A level or equivalent qualifications or working towards this level
- Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development
Desirable
- Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience
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 supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (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 data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services
- Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity
Other Requirements
Essential
- Enhanced DBS disclosure
- Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work deadlines
- Current full driving licence and sole use of car
- Ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own homes
Personal Qualities or Attributes
Essential
- Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way
- Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyle and diversity
- Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities
- Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders
- Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
- Have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the link worker role
- Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets
- Able to provide leadership and to finish work tasks
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
- Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies
- Demonstrates personal accountability, emotional resilience and works well under pressure and meeting deadlines
- High level of written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work flexibly within a team or on own initiative
- Understanding of the needs of small volunteer-led community groups and ability to support their development
- Knowledge of, and ability to, work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the wider detriments of health including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact
- Knowledge of community development and approaches
- Knowledge of IT systems, including the ability to use word processing skills, e-mails and the internet to create simple plans
- Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills
- Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality
- Awareness of GDPR
- Awareness of Safeguarding Children & Adults
Desirable
- Knowledge of the personalised care approach
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3/A level or equivalent qualifications or working towards this level
- Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development
Desirable
- Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience
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 supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (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 data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services
- Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity
Other Requirements
Essential
- Enhanced DBS disclosure
- Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work deadlines
- Current full driving licence and sole use of car
- Ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own homes
Personal Qualities or Attributes
Essential
- Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way
- Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyle and diversity
- Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities
- Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders
- Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
- Have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the link worker role
- Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets
- Able to provide leadership and to finish work tasks
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
- Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies
- Demonstrates personal accountability, emotional resilience and works well under pressure and meeting deadlines
- High level of written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work flexibly within a team or on own initiative
- Understanding of the needs of small volunteer-led community groups and ability to support their development
- Knowledge of, and ability to, work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the wider detriments of health including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact
- Knowledge of community development and approaches
- Knowledge of IT systems, including the ability to use word processing skills, e-mails and the internet to create simple plans
- Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills
- Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality
- Awareness of GDPR
- Awareness of Safeguarding Children & Adults
Desirable
- Knowledge of the personalised care approach
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
Taurus Healthcare Limited
Address
Suite 1, Berrows Business Centre
Bath Street
Hereford
Herefordshire
HR1 2HE
Employer's website
https://www.herefordshiregeneralpractice.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Taurus Healthcare Limited
Address
Suite 1, Berrows Business Centre
Bath Street
Hereford
Herefordshire
HR1 2HE
Employer's website
https://www.herefordshiregeneralpractice.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Details
Date posted
08 December 2023
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£22,066.72 to £25,461.60 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
S0001-23-0101
Job locations
Suite 1, Berrows Business Centre
Bath Street
Hereford
Herefordshire
HR1 2HE
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Taurus Healthcare Limited's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)