Primary Healthcare Darlington

Health and Wellbeing Coach

The closing date is 31 August 2025

Job summary

Health & Wellbeing Coaches use health coaching skills to establish a one-to-one partnership with individuals in their care, and to improve levels of patient activation. They take a supportive and non-judgemental approach to help people develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become advocates for their own care so that they can achieve their health and wellbeing goals. Their open approach is designed to encourage the person to self-identify issues and subsequent treatment options, making people more active in their health and care.

HWBCs will use their strong communication and negotiation skills to outline potential risks and consequences and to ensure that people understand the implications and accountability of making their own decisions around healthcare. Via Social Prescribers they will (if required) also connect people to community-based activities or local health, social care, and voluntary services to further support their health care plan.

HWBCs manage and prioritise a caseload, working with people via face-to-face, by phone, by video conference, and via small groupwork.

HWBCs join a growing team of Darlington Primary Care Network (DPCN) health care professionals who work across the eleven GP Practices that make up the GP Federation, delivering health and wellbeing interventions at a neighbourhood population level. The goal of the health and wellbeing coaching service is to support clients in the development of personal resilience and self-management skills.

Main duties of the job

Manage and prioritise a caseload, in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of the PCN population through taking an approach that is non-judgemental, based on strong communication and negotiation skills, while considering the whole person when addressing existing issues.

Work with clients with lower activation levels to understand their level of knowledge, skills, and confidence (their activation level) when engaging with their health and wellbeing.

Coach and motivate clients through multiple sessions (usually 6-8) to identify their needs, set goals, and support them to implement their personalised care plan

Support people to establish and attain goals set by the person based on what is important to them, building on goals that are important to the individual.

Provide support to local community groups and work with other health, social care, and VCSE sector organisations to support the peoples health and well-being holistically.

Work with the social prescribing service to connect coaching clients to community-based activities which support their health and wellbeing.

About us

Primary Healthcare Darlington was established in 2014 as the local GP Federation covering 11 GP Practices covering an ever-increasing population of registered patients in Darlington, County Durham. We have a close working relationship with Darlington Primary Care Network who commission services and projects that PHD provide for the town. We have close links with Darlington Borough Council and local NHS Foundation Trusts and have the full support and backing of North East and North Cumbria ICB.

Working from dedicated premises close to Darlington Memorial Hospital we provide NHS, Public Health and Private Medical Services. This role is will involve hybrid working as part of your working week. There is a requirement to attend the offices in Darlington at least one day per week.

We are an award-winning company who places the wellbeing of our staff at the heart of everything we do. We have a wellbeing lead who offers staff access to multiple wellbeing resources, and as a company we offer staff access to free counselling services, protected time to develop professionally, access to high-quality training and development, free tea and coffee and chilled, filtered water and much more. We also offer staff an opportunity to volunteer for 4 days annually in the local community.

We are on the doorstep of some of the most beautiful and historic sites in the region.

Details

Date posted

13 August 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Circa £13.99 per hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

U0016-25-0009

Job locations

Forsyth House

20 Woodland Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 7PL


Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Manage and prioritise a caseload, in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of the PCN population through taking an approach that is non-judgemental, based on strong communication and negotiation skills, while considering the whole person when addressing existing issues.

Work with clients with lower activation levels to understand their level of knowledge, skills, and confidence (their activation level) when engaging with their health and wellbeing.

Coach and motivate clients through multiple sessions (usually 6-8) to identify their needs, set goals, and support them to implement their personalised care plan

Support people to establish and attain goals set by the person based on what is important to them, building on goals that are important to the individual.

Provide support to local community groups and work with other health, social care, and VCSE sector organisations to support the peoples health and well-being holistically.

Work with the social prescribing service to connect coaching clients to community-based activities which support their health and wellbeing..

Specific requirements

A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring check

Full, clean UK driving licence

The post-holder is required to have access to their own transport and to travel independently between practice sites across the Network, visit clients in their own homes (when appropriate to do so) and attend in-person and virtual meetings hosted by other agencies.

Miscellaneous

Contribute to the development of policies and plans relating to equality, diversity, and health inequalities.

Contribute to the achievement and maintenance of CQC registration status in PHD.

Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner.

Establish strong working relationships with GPs and practice teams and work collaboratively with other Health and Wellbeing Coaches and Social Prescribing Link Workers, supporting each other, respecting each others views, and meeting regularly as a team.

Act as a champion for health coaching as a part of the PCNs personalised care offer for patients and organisations.

Contribute to the wider aims and objectives of the PCN and PHD to improve and support primary care.

Technical and administrative skills

Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.

Knowledge and understanding of IT systems including the ability to use the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, carry out basic internet research and the ability to learn how to use the PCNs clinical recording system - SystmOne.

Understanding of emerging technologies and role in primary care.

Support quality improvement measures and contribute to PCN DES, participating in audits where required.

Training and Education Information

HWBCs are required to undergo a 4-day health coaching training programme accredited by NHS England and to attend regular supervision from a health coaching mentor.

Participate in regular health coaching supervision and continual learning. This may include, but is not limited to, any or all the following:

o Regular contact with assigned service and clinical supervisorso Refresher training sessionso Buddying with peerso Peer support sessions1:1 support from a practitioner with more health coaching experienceAction Learning Setse-learning to revisit or deepen trainingOn-going improvements to systems and processesIdentify learning needs, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of education to meet identified needParticipate in MDT learning activitiesCompletion of Statutory & Mandatory annual training.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Manage and prioritise a caseload, in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of the PCN population through taking an approach that is non-judgemental, based on strong communication and negotiation skills, while considering the whole person when addressing existing issues.

Work with clients with lower activation levels to understand their level of knowledge, skills, and confidence (their activation level) when engaging with their health and wellbeing.

Coach and motivate clients through multiple sessions (usually 6-8) to identify their needs, set goals, and support them to implement their personalised care plan

Support people to establish and attain goals set by the person based on what is important to them, building on goals that are important to the individual.

Provide support to local community groups and work with other health, social care, and VCSE sector organisations to support the peoples health and well-being holistically.

Work with the social prescribing service to connect coaching clients to community-based activities which support their health and wellbeing..

Specific requirements

A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring check

Full, clean UK driving licence

The post-holder is required to have access to their own transport and to travel independently between practice sites across the Network, visit clients in their own homes (when appropriate to do so) and attend in-person and virtual meetings hosted by other agencies.

Miscellaneous

Contribute to the development of policies and plans relating to equality, diversity, and health inequalities.

Contribute to the achievement and maintenance of CQC registration status in PHD.

Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner.

Establish strong working relationships with GPs and practice teams and work collaboratively with other Health and Wellbeing Coaches and Social Prescribing Link Workers, supporting each other, respecting each others views, and meeting regularly as a team.

Act as a champion for health coaching as a part of the PCNs personalised care offer for patients and organisations.

Contribute to the wider aims and objectives of the PCN and PHD to improve and support primary care.

Technical and administrative skills

Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.

Knowledge and understanding of IT systems including the ability to use the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, carry out basic internet research and the ability to learn how to use the PCNs clinical recording system - SystmOne.

Understanding of emerging technologies and role in primary care.

Support quality improvement measures and contribute to PCN DES, participating in audits where required.

Training and Education Information

HWBCs are required to undergo a 4-day health coaching training programme accredited by NHS England and to attend regular supervision from a health coaching mentor.

Participate in regular health coaching supervision and continual learning. This may include, but is not limited to, any or all the following:

o Regular contact with assigned service and clinical supervisorso Refresher training sessionso Buddying with peerso Peer support sessions1:1 support from a practitioner with more health coaching experienceAction Learning Setse-learning to revisit or deepen trainingOn-going improvements to systems and processesIdentify learning needs, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of education to meet identified needParticipate in MDT learning activitiesCompletion of Statutory & Mandatory annual training.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with patients to improve their general fitness and wellbeing
  • Able to motivate patients to engage with the services they have been referred for
  • Able to present to groups of patients and be confident with the messages you are delivering.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in primary care.

Qualifications

Essential

  • A good standard of education
  • A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring check
  • Full, clean UK driving licence
  • The post-holder is required to have access to their own transport and to travel independently between practice sites across the Network, visit clients in their own homes (when appropriate to do so) and attend in-person and virtual meetings hosted by other agencies.
  • Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
  • Knowledge and understanding of IT systems including the ability to use the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, carry out basic internet research.

Desirable

  • A knowledge of the clinical system Systmone
  • Understanding of emerging technologies and role in primary care.
  • Able to support quality improvement measures and contribute to PCN DES participating in audits where required.
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with patients to improve their general fitness and wellbeing
  • Able to motivate patients to engage with the services they have been referred for
  • Able to present to groups of patients and be confident with the messages you are delivering.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in primary care.

Qualifications

Essential

  • A good standard of education
  • A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring check
  • Full, clean UK driving licence
  • The post-holder is required to have access to their own transport and to travel independently between practice sites across the Network, visit clients in their own homes (when appropriate to do so) and attend in-person and virtual meetings hosted by other agencies.
  • Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
  • Knowledge and understanding of IT systems including the ability to use the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, carry out basic internet research.

Desirable

  • A knowledge of the clinical system Systmone
  • Understanding of emerging technologies and role in primary care.
  • Able to support quality improvement measures and contribute to PCN DES participating in audits where required.

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

Primary Healthcare Darlington

Address

Forsyth House

20 Woodland Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 7PL


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Primary Healthcare Darlington

Address

Forsyth House

20 Woodland Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 7PL


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Health & Wellbeing Coach

Rachel Leavis

rachel.leavis@nhs.net

01325952278

Details

Date posted

13 August 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Circa £13.99 per hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

U0016-25-0009

Job locations

Forsyth House

20 Woodland Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 7PL


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