Senior Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership, line management and supervision to SPLWs and Health Connectors across West Mendip PCN
• Help support a psychologically safe, supportive and inclusive working environment that promotes wellbeing, professional development and reflective practice
• Support recruitment, induction, training and retention of Social Prescribing staff
• Develop clear role expectations, caseload management frameworks and consistent ways of working across the team
• Act as a senior point of contact for complex case discussions, safeguarding concerns and escalation

Service Development and Quality Improvement

• Work in conjunction with the PCN Manager to lead the ongoing development of the Social Prescribing service in line with PCN priorities, the NHS Long Term Plan and local population health needs
• Collaborate with the PCN Manager to plan, implement and monitor quality improvement initiatives, ensuring robust governance and reporting arrangements
• Ensure services are equitable, accessible and responsive to people experiencing health inequalities
• Co-develop and implement standard operating procedures, pathways and outcome measures with the PCN Manager and relevant stakeholders
• Contribute to audits, service evaluations and performance reporting, supporting the PCN Manager to demonstrate impact and value
• Use insight, feedback and data to inform continuous improvement and service redesign

Advanced Social Prescribing Practice

• Hold a reduced caseload of complex individuals requiring advanced intervention, co-ordination or multi-agency input
• Undertake holistic, person-centred assessments using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach
• Support individuals to identify goals, improve wellbeing and access appropriate community, statutory and VCSE support
• Model best practice and mentor staff in advanced engagement and behaviour change approaches

Partnership and System Working

• Build and maintain strong relationships with GP practices, VCSE organisations, local authorities and other partners
• Represent West Mendip PCN Social Prescribing at internal and external meetings, forums and networks
• Support the development of sustainable community assets and referral pathways
• Work collaboratively with PCN colleagues from other teams and within practices (e.g. Care Coordinators, Health & Wellbeing Coaches, Mental Health Practitioners) to support integrated care

Safeguarding, Governance and Risk

• Act as a safeguarding link between the PCN Social Prescribing team and GP practices, ensuring compliance with local and national safeguarding policies
• Ensure accurate, timely and confidential record keeping in line with information governance requirements
• Promote duty of candour, professional boundaries and ethical practice
• Identify risks within the service, escalating appropriately

Training, Supervision and Workforce Development

• Provide regular supervision, appraisal and development planning for SPLWs and Health Connectors
• Identify training needs and support continuous professional development
• Facilitate peer learning, reflective practice sessions and team meetings
• Support students, trainees or volunteers where applicable

ALL POST HOLDERS ARE REQUIRED TO

• Adhere to West Mendip PCN policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.
• Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training
• Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training
• Take part in an annual appraisal
• Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018
• Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body should registration be required for the post
• Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Infection Control policies and procedures
• Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations
• Perform general administrative duties such as locating of clinical files and working with the administrative team as required
• Document in patient notes in the agreed PCN format
• Report untoward incidents such as complaints, clinical emergencies or injury to senior staff
• Strive to maintain quality within the PCN, and alert other team members to issues of quality and risk, assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance
• Work effectively with individuals in other services and organisations to meet patients needs
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources

Please see the supporting documents section for a PDF of this job description

NOTE

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and may be updated to reflect evolving service needs, following consultation with the post holder. All duties are to be carried out in accordance with West Mendip PCN policies, procedures and guidelines. Routine operational changes do not require amendment.

UNDERPINNING POLICIES

The post holder is expected to maintain confidentiality, uphold equality and diversity, and comply with safeguarding, health and safety and risk management requirements at all times. They should take part in personal and professional development, contribute to quality improvement, and communicate effectively with colleagues, other organisations and services, and the people they support, in line with PCN standards and legal obligations. The role also requires accurate and secure record keeping in accordance with the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act and other relevant legislation.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 qualification in Social Prescribing or equivalent (evidence required if successful)
• Training in safeguarding adults and children

Desirable

• Relevant leadership or management qualification

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Able to support a positive, inclusive and reflective team culture
• Committed to learning, improvement and high standards of ethical practice
• Able to manage the emotional aspects of the role and support others with sensitivity in complex or challenging situations
• Professional, reliable and able to maintain confidentiality
• Able to maintain appropriate boundaries and work with sensitivity in challenging situations
• Adaptable and open to new ways of working
• Committed to ongoing learning, development and reflective practice
• Positive, proactive attitude and a willingness to contribute ideas for improvement
• Compassionate, respectful and committed to person-centred practice
• Contributes to a supportive, inclusive and collaborative team environment

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience working as a Social Prescribing Link Worker or in a comparable community-facing, person-centred role
• Experience supervising, mentoring or leading staff or volunteers
• Experience supporting people with complex needs, including long-term conditions or social disadvantage
• Able to work independently as well as contributing effectively to team working
• Ability to manage competing priorities and balance a varied workload
• Confidence working with a wide range of people, organisations and services
• Skilled in providing person-centred support in customer-facing or community-focused settings
• Experience supporting or guiding colleagues (formal or informal)

Desirable

• Experience working within a PCN, primary care or NHS setting
• Experience in service development, quality improvement or evaluation

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Strong understanding of social prescribing, personalised care and population health approaches
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Knowledge of safeguarding, information governance and confidentiality
• Ability to work autonomously, prioritise workload and manage complexity
• Understanding of health inequalities and inclusive practice
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with a range of people and organisations
• Able to communicate sensitive or complex information in a clear and supportive way
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload effectively
• Able to manage competing demands and maintain attention to detail
• Able to use initiative to solve problems and make sound, informed decisions
• Confident using IT systems, including online platforms, digital record-keeping tools and Microsoft Office applications
• Able to work collaboratively with colleagues from different teams and organisations to support joined-up working

Desirable

• Knowledge of the local VCSE landscape
• Training in coaching, motivational interviewing or trauma-informed practice

Other Requirements

Essential

• Hold a current UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes
• Able to work across multiple sites as required
• Willingness to work flexibly to support occasional events or activities outside normal working hours

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

West Mendip Primary Care Network

Address

West Mendip Primary Care Network

c/o Glastonbury Health Centre, 1 Wells Road

Glastonbury

Somerset

BA6 9DD

Employer's website

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