Social Prescriber

NHS; Fareham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Fareham is seeking a compassionate Social Prescriber to join their Wellbeing Team. This role involves supporting individuals and communities, managing caseloads, and providing holistic health resources. Ideal candidates should have a degree in a health-related field and strong communication skills. The position requires a flexible approach to meet patients' needs and promote health equity, contributing positively to community resilience. Salary is £15.96 per hour, with additional benefits included.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

NHS Discounts online

Extra day paid leave for your Birthday

Qualifications

• Experience supporting families, particularly children and youths.
• Knowledge of patient needs with long-term conditions.
• Good communication skills with individuals and groups.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload supporting individuals and groups.
• Provide personalized support to improve health outcomes.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to meet patient needs.

Skills

Empathy

Good communication skills

Organizational skills

Team player

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree in health related study

Job description

Meon Health Practice is looking for a motivated and compassionate Social Prescriber to join our dynamic Wellbeing Team consisting of Social Prescribers, Mind Practitioners, Health Coaches and assistants.

You will be expected to work over our 3 sites and attend home visits/groups when required.

If you are passionate about helping people thrive in their communities and committed to reducing health equalities, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical link workers who give time, focus on what matters to me and take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Link workers support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.

Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience and reduces health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing people’s active involvement with their local communities.

The Social Prescriber will work within the Wellbeing Team for the patients of Meon Health Practice covering three GP Practices. This role will involve working with individuals and groups utilising untapped community resources, support the facilitation of groups and other innovative approaches to enable people to better manage their own health and wellbeing. The post holder will manage a case load supporting people 1:1 and in groups. In addition the Social Prescriber will work collaboratively with the wider team to develop the service, reviewing progress and identifying where solutions are best delivered at local level.

About us

Meon Health Practice offers a warm, friendly, and supportive working environment. We have a strong work ethic and take pride in delivering high-quality care, while also recognising the importance of supporting one another. We believe that investing in our people not only strengthens our teams but also enhances the care we provide to patients.

Our benefits include

Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to work scheme (Halfords), Eye vouchers (Specsavers), The Company Shop (for discounted food), Blue Light Card (at a small cost), NHS Discounts on line, membership to the NHS Pension Scheme, extra day paid leave for your Birthday.

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION

Meon Health Practice Social Prescriber

16 hours

£15.96 per hour

Report to Manager of the Wellbeing Team

Accountable to Meon PCN Business Lead

Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical link workers who give time, focus on what matters to me and take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Link workers support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.

Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience and reduces health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing people’s active involvement with their local communities.

The Social Prescriber will work within the Wellbeing Team for the patients of Meon Health Practice covering three GP Practices. This role will involve working with individuals and groups utilising untapped community resources, support the facilitation of groups and other innovative approaches to enable people to better manage their own health and wellbeing. The post holder will manage a case load supporting people 1:1 and in groups. In addition the Social Prescriber will work collaboratively with the wider team to develop the service, reviewing progress and identifying where solutions are best delivered at local level.

Take referrals from a wide range of agencies working within the Meon Health Practice area.

Manage and prioritise own caseload.

Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes.

Using a holistic approach, co-produce a personalised support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groups, statutory services and primary or community health services.

Where appropriate, physically introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable. Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, included and receiving good support.

Understand when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people to other health professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the Social Prescriber, e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner.

Attend meetings within the locality as appropriate.

Attend weekly allocation meetings and monthly team meetings.

To be willing to work a share of the enhanced hours which consists of Monday evenings and the monthly Saturday morning drop ins.

Build and maintain strong links with the voluntary sector, supporting the voluntary and statutory sector to network and improve partnership working.

Contribute to mapping both statutory and voluntary services in the community that promote health and wellbeing.

Contribute to keeping the community directory up to date for their allocated area.

Listen to the needs of individuals/groups, and be aware of areas where there are gaps in what is available in the community to access support to better self-manage health and wellbeing.

Understand the barriers for individuals/groups in accessing support in the community, and use this insight in developing community-based support, working as part of the wider social prescribing model.

Promote the service within the Meon Health Practice, both for users and clinicians, building positive working relationships.

Contribute to and work with others to organise awareness-raising events for services that help support people to improve their health and wellbeing.

Link into networking events for service providers and existing networks/community forums.

Develop and maintain constructive working relationships and liaise effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team so that patient needs are met.

The post holder will have a key role in helping to raise the local population’s awareness of the support, groups and opportunities available to assist them in achieving their health and wellbeing goals.

To understand the importance of the role of carers and provide coordination and navigation for people and their carers across health and care services.

To be willing to work a share of the monthly Saturday morning cancer drop ins and Monday evening mental health service.

To support the wider team by promoting staff wellbeing initiatives and events.

The post holder is responsible for maintaining and inputting patient records into a database and ensuring patients receive adequate follow-up support.

Under supervision, work with and liaise with a range of individuals/groups and organisations across sectors in helping to fill gaps in community-based support within current resources.

Support new staff and volunteer induction, as required, so that they understand acceptable practice and standards.

Maintain personal and professional development in order to maintain skill levels and highlight training and development that is needed to the line manager.

Use reflective practice to analyse incidents and events and to develop high quality care and support undertake training and education as necessary (including mandatory training) to ensure both own personal and also organisational needs are met.

Take part in Reflective Practice and supervision in order to develop practice.

Participate in Appraisal and agree a Personal Development Plan.

To work in a calm and professional manner and raise any issues or concerns with the line manager.

This role will involve supporting patients who may be experiencing emotional distress. This will require skills in empathy, tact, reassurance and sensitivity.

It is the responsibility of all employees to work with managers to achieve a healthy and safe environment, and to take reasonable care of themselves and others.

The post holder is required to have a car for business use and hold relevant motor insurance, and must hold a current UK driving licence.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of supporting families (children and youths)
• Knowledge of patient needs with long term conditions
• Experience in health promotions
• Experience in behaviour change, motivational interviewing and goal setting
• Knowledge of the voluntary sector and issues facing those that want to set up groups/services
• Planning and coordinating MDT activities, Pre Discharge meetings in hospital
• Experience of working with people from a wide range of backgrounds
• Awareness of local and national health policies
• Good communication skills both verbal and non-verbal 1:1 and with groups
• Knowledge of public health issues in the area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health economy
• Knowledge and experience of training volunteers
• Ability to identify determinants on health in the local area

Knowledge and Qualities

• Planning and coordinating MDT activities in, pre discharge in hospitals
• Awareness of local and nation health policy
• Able to juggle competing priorities, in order to complete work to a high standard and plan ahead to achieve targets.
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Negotiation and conflict management skills
• Flexibility
• Team player
• Acts with integrity and confidentiality

Qualifications

• Degree in health related study

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.