Social Prescriber with Mental Health Experience

NHS; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider is seeking a Social Prescriber in Barnsley. The ideal candidate will have at least 12 months of mental health experience, assisting patients through personalized care plans. The role emphasizes building community connections and empowering individuals to improve their health outcomes. Interested candidates should apply promptly due to the potential for early closure of applications.

Qualifications

• 12 months mental health experience required.
• Experience of working directly in a community development context.
• Knowledge of clinical systems and JOY.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a Social Prescribing Service to patients in Barnsley.
• Assess patients' health and wellbeing needs.
• Develop trusting relationships with patients.

Skills

High level of written and verbal communication skills

Ability to maintain effective working relationships

Understanding the needs of small volunteer-led community groups

Ability to problem solve and work well under pressure

Experience in community development

Education

Educated to GCSE level or equivalent

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent

Job description

Social Prescriber with Mental Health Experience

We are looking to recruit a new Social Prescriber with at least 12 months mental health experience. to join our Barnsley PCN. The successful candidate will be based across the Barnsley Borough.

The main purpose of this post is to deliver aSocial Prescribing Service to the patients within the Barnsley Primary CareNetwork. Our Social Prescribers willfocus on specific areas of need and specific patient cohorts in supportingpatients of all areas.

The post holder will work with the Practices withinthe PCN and additional services to support patients by providing a patientcentred assessment with the aim of addressing all issues that are affecting thehealth and wellbeing. The post holderwill ensure Social Prescribing empowers individuals by connecting them to otherpeople, community groups and statutory services that take decisive action toreach positive outcomes.

Social Prescribing has an important role to play instrengthening personal resilience by addressing the wider determinants ofhealth, such as debt, poor housing and physical activity and by increasingpeoples active involvement with their local communities. It can have a significant benefit for peoplewith long term conditions (including support for mental health), for people whoare lonely or isolated or have complex social needs which affect theirwellbeing.

Please note if a large number of applications are received then we may close the advert early.

Main duties of the job

Assess how far a patients health and wellbeingneeds can be met by services and other opportunities available in the community.

Co-produce a simple personalised care and supportplan to address the patients health and wellbeing needs by introducing orreconnecting people to community groups and statutory services.

Evaluate how far the actions in the care and supportplan are meeting the individuals health and wellbeing needs.

Provide personalised support to individuals, theirfamilies and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, liveindependently and improve their health outcomes.

Develop trusting relationships by giving people timeand focus on what matters to them.

Take a holistic approach, based on the personspriorities, and the wider determinants of health.

Promoting social prescribing and its role inself-management.

Help to develop the knowledge on how to identifyindividuals suitable for a social prescribing referral.

Build relationships with key staff across the PCNand Neighbourhood teams, attending relevant meetings and becoming part of thewider network team.

Please refer to the attached job description to see all the duties of the post.

About us

Barnsley Primary Care Network:

Barnsley has established one super Primary Care Network (PCN) of over 250,000 patients which includes all of GP practices across Barnsley. This is supported by six Neighbourhood Networks building on our successful and existing model of neighbourhood working; this enables us to maintain and focus on the specific needs of each local area whilst allowing integration at a borough wide level.

BHF are fully committed to ensuring equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as this is embedded in our values. We are also a committed employer under the Disability Confident Scheme. Therefore, should you wish to discuss any reasonable adjustments or assistance you might need in the application or interview process, please contact a member of the HR team at [e-mail] and we will be happy to help.

Please note that interviews may take place prior to the advert closing as and when suitable applications are received. If a suitable candidate is appointed the role may close early, therefore please do not hesitate to submit your application.

Job responsibilities

JOBPURPOSE:

The main purpose of this post is to deliver aSocial Prescribing Service to the patients within the Barnsley Primary CareNetwork. Our Social Prescribers willfocus on specific areas of need and specific patient cohorts in supportingpatients of all areas.

The post holder will work with the Practices withinthe PCN and additional services to support patients by providing a patientcentred assessment with the aim of addressing all issues that are affecting thehealth and wellbeing. The post holderwill ensure Social Prescribing empowers individuals by connecting them to otherpeople, community groups and statutory services that take decisive action toreach positive outcomes.

Social Prescribing has an important role to play instrengthening personal resilience by addressing the wider determinants ofhealth, such as debt, poor housing and physical activity and by increasingpeoples active involvement with their local communities. It can have a significant benefit for peoplewith long term conditions (including support for mental health), for people whoare lonely or isolated or have complex social needs which affect theirwellbeing.

The job description and person specification are anoutline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. Thejob holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonable be required bytheir line manager.

PRIMARYDUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Social prescribing link workers will take referralsfrom Professionals along with patient self-referrals expanding from 2025/26 totake referrals from a wide range of agencies in order to support the health andwellbeing of patients.

Key responsibilities

Assess how far a patients health and wellbeingneeds can be met by services and other opportunities available in the community.

Co-produce a simple personalised care and supportplan to address the patients health and wellbeing needs by introducing orreconnecting people to community groups and statutory services.

Evaluate how far the actions in the care and supportplan are meeting the individuals health and wellbeing needs.

Provide personalised support to individuals, theirfamilies and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, liveindependently and improve their health outcomes.

Develop trusting relationships by giving people timeand focus on what matters to them.

Take a holistic approach, based on the personspriorities, and the wider determinants of health.

The role will require social prescribing linkworkers to manage and prioritise their own caseload, in accordance with thehealth and wellbeing needs of their population. Where required and asappropriate, the social prescribing link workers will refer people back toother health professionals within the PCN.

REFERRALS:

Promoting social prescribing and its role inself-management.

Help to develop the knowledge on how to identifyindividuals suitable for a social prescribing referral.

Build relationships with key staff across the PCNand Neighbourhood teams, attending relevant meetings and becoming part of thewider network team.

Be proactive withdeveloping strong links with all local agencies to encourage referrals,recognising what they need to be confident in the service to make anappropriate referral.

Work with all local agenciesto raise awareness of social prescribing and how it can reduce pressure onstatutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic approach.

Be proactive inencouraging self-referrals and connecting with all local communities,particularly those communities that statutory agencies may find hard to reach.

SUPPORTINGCOMMUNITY GROUPS AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS:

Forge strong links withlocal voluntary organisations, community and neighbourhood level groups,utilising their networks and building on what is already available to create amap or menu of community groups.

Develop supportiverelationships with local voluntary organisations, community groups andstatutory services to make timely, appropriate referrals.

Ensure that localvoluntary organisations and community groups have procedures in place forensuring that vulnerable individuals are safe and, where there are anysafeguarding concerns these are promptly escalated.

Person Specification

Deposition/Personal

• High level of written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and promote collaborative practice across colleagues and stake holders.
• Commitment to reducing health inequalities and collaborative working with all local agencies to proactively reach people from all communities. Understanding the needs of small volunteer-led community groups and ability to support their development.
• Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent (including Maths and English)
• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent course.

Experience

• Experience of working directly in a community development context or similar role.
• Commitment to continuous professional and personal development.
• Mental Health experience.
• Knowledge and experience of clinical systems and JOY
• Holds a strong awareness and understanding of when its appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies.

Practical, Intellectual, Analytical and Organisational skills

• Able to work off own initiative and meet deadlines.
• Ability to problem solve and works well under pressure.
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals.

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.