Social Prescriber Link Worker (Children, Young People & Adults)

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health team in London is seeking a proactive Social Prescribing Link Worker to support individuals in accessing non-medical community support. This full-time role involves working closely with various local services to improve health outcomes, particularly for socially isolated individuals and young people. Candidates should possess strong communication skills and a background in health-based support roles.

Qualifications

• Experience in support or community-based role (paid or voluntary).
• Understanding of personalized care approaches and social determinants of health.
• Training in motivational interviewing or behavior change models.

Responsibilities

• Provide social prescribing support and deliver one-to-one appointments.
• Develop care plans with individuals, families, and carers.
• Manage and prioritize a diverse caseload.

Skills

Empathy

Excellent communication

Motivational skills

Understanding of social determinants of health

Education

GCSE grade A to C in English (or equivalent)

Job description

Battersea PCN is seeking tacompassionate and proactive Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW) to join our well established team. This role is central to supporting people of all ages, children, young people, families, and adults, empowering them by connecting them with non-medical community support.

You will help individuals improve their health and wellbeing by addressing wider social determinants and enabling them to focus on what matters to them.You will also work closely with our Youth Clinic, offering a safe space to the young people of Battersea to access local support.

This is a person-centred role, working with people from diverse backgrounds, including those who may be socially isolated, living with long-term conditions, or facing complex social challenges.

This is a full-time, practice-based role, but applications from those wishing to work part time will be considered.

Main duties of the job

As a SPLW your role will be:

• To provide social prescribing support and deliver one to one appointments to people with a range of social needs.
• To develop strong working relationship with health and social care professionals.
• To work closely with our Youth Clinic in providing advice and support to help young people access healthcare services and other local support
• To build and maintain relationships with local voluntary and community sector organisations to ensure people are able to access the right support.

About us

Battersea PCN is a collaborative group of GP practices serving our vibrant and diverse local population. We are committed to delivering joined-up, community-focused care in partnership with NHS providers, local government, the voluntary sector, and local residents. Our vision is to build a fairer, healthier Battersea by reducing health inequalities and empowering people to take control of their wellbeing.

Job responsibilities

Service Delivery

• Act as the first point of contact for referrals into the social prescribing service.
• Co-produce personalised care plans with individuals, families, and carers.
• Support individuals to access local groups, services, and activities aligned with their needs.
• Address wider health determinants such as housing, income, employment, and education.
• Enable individuals to become active participants in their health and wellbeing journey.

Collaboration and Networking

• Work closely with GP practices, care coordinators, health coaches, and other PCN teams.
• Build relationships with local VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) groups, statutory services, and community organisations.

Case Management

• Manage and prioritise a diverse caseload in line with service demand and complexity.
• Record interactions and outcomes using relevant NHS clinical/IT systems (e.g. EMIS, Joy)
• Provide regular feedback to referring teams and support service monitoring and evaluation.
• Develop youth-friendly approaches tailored to the developmental, emotional, and social needs of children and young people.
• Work collaboratively with families, carers, schools, youth workers, and childrens services.
• Champion the voice of young people, ensuring support is shaped by their priorities and goals.
• Promote the service within schools, youth organisations, and through community events.

Safeguarding

• Adhere to safeguarding procedures for children, young people, and vulnerable adults

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Understanding of personalised care approaches and social determinants of health
• Knowledge of safeguarding practices for adults and children
• Confident use of IT and data systems to document and evaluate work
• Familiarity with local services and voluntary sector in Wandsworth/Battersea
• Understanding of clinical coding systems (eg: SNOMED) and NHS workflows
• Training in motivational interviewing, coaching or behaviour change models
• Understanding of youth development and health promotion

Attributes and Competencies

• Empathetic, non-judgmental and able to connect with people from all walks of life
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Motivational skills
• Resilient, flexible and able to work independently and part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Passionate about improving community wellbeing and reducing inequalities
• Willing to work flexibly across different Battersea PCN sites and community venues

Experience

• Experience in support, community or health-based role (paid or voluntary)
• Experience collaborating with VCSE organisations, schools or health and social care providers
• Experience working within the NHS or primary care setting
• Experience supporting small or volunteer-led community groups
• Experience working with both children/young people and adults

Qualifications

• GSCE grade A to C in English (or equivalent)
• Demonstrated commitment to personal and professional development
• Enhanced DBS clearance

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.