Social Prescribing Link Worker

The Methodist Church in Britain; Coalville; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

North West Leicestershire GP Federation is seeking a maternity cover advisor to support people of all ages, linking them to local non-clinical services and community groups across 12 practices and the primary care network.

Travel is essential, a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are normally required. DBS checks and safeguarding are part of the role, with flexible hours and a collaborative, person-centred approach.

Qualifications

• GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English, or equivalent.
• Experience in health, education, social care or community settings.
• Experience delivering one-to-one support.
• Experience multi-agency working.
• Ability to listen and empathise with individuals and families.

Responsibilities

• Receive and action referrals from agencies including GP practices, pharmacies, hospital discharge teams, police, housing and social care
• Co-produce personalised support plans with individuals, families and carers, based on their own priorities
• Build trusting relationships and take a holistic approach to wellbeing and the wider determinants of health
• Introduce or reconnect people to community groups and statutory services
• Recognise when to refer people back to health professionals or other agencies
• Work in a multi-disciplinary way with GP practices to build networks with VCSE organisations, local authorities and partners
• Proactively identify and approach organisations to develop support options for patients
• Manage and prioritise a caseload across all ages
• Ensure patients are supported and that basic safeguarding processes are in place for vulnerable individuals
• Help VCSE organisations and community groups receive referrals and stay sustainable, including making them aware of small grants and micro-commissioning
• Help set up new community groups and services where gaps in local provision are identified
• Support people to develop friendships, a sense of belonging, and their knowledge, skills and confidence

Skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Public health knowledge

Caseload management

Time management

Communication skills

Multi-agency working

Community liaison

Microsoft Office

Education

GCSE Maths and English grade C or above or equivalent

Tools

SystmOne

EMIS Web

Microsoft Office

Job description

This 12-month maternity cover post sits with the North West Leicestershire GP Federation, working across its 12 practices and primary care network. The work centres on helping people of all ages take charge of their health by linking them to local, non-clinical services and community groups, often run by voluntary sector organisations. Frequent travel is essential, so a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are normally required. No visa sponsorship is available.

What the job involves

• Receive and action referrals from agencies including GP practices, pharmacies, hospital discharge teams, police, housing and social care
• Co-produce personalised support plans with individuals, families and carers, based on their own priorities
• Build trusting relationships and take a holistic approach to wellbeing and the wider determinants of health
• Introduce or reconnect people to community groups and statutory services
• Recognise when to refer people back to health professionals or other agencies
• Work in a multi-disciplinary way with GP practices to build networks with VCSE organisations, local authorities and partners
• Proactively identify and approach organisations to develop support options for patients
• Manage and prioritise a caseload across all ages
• Ensure patients are supported and that basic safeguarding processes are in place for vulnerable individuals
• Help VCSE organisations and community groups receive referrals and stay sustainable, including making them aware of small grants and micro-commissioning
• Help set up new community groups and services where gaps in local provision are identified
• Support people to develop friendships, a sense of belonging, and their knowledge, skills and confidence

What’s required

Qualifications

• GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English, or equivalent

Experience

• Experience of a similar role or in health, education, social care or community settings
• Experience supporting individuals and families with complex social, emotional or practical challenges
• Experience of multi-agency working and coordinating services from multiple providers
• Experience of delivering one-to-one support

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of safeguarding, the needs of vulnerable adults and children, and relevant legislation and guidance
• Knowledge of local health, education and social care provision and public health issues affecting adults and children
• Ability to manage and prioritise a caseload across age groups, with strong organisation and time management
• Ability to build trusting relationships with individuals, families, carers and professionals
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) and good written and verbal communication

Checks & eligibility

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
• DBS check meeting reference standards

Other

• Willingness to work flexible hours when required
• Ability to work flexibly, both within a team and on own initiative
• Ability to listen and empathise in a non-judgemental way and provide person-centred support
• Ability to maintain working relationships and promote collaborative working across local sectors

Nice to have

• Experience working in a liaison capacity with social care and education
• Experience seeing patients and carers in a practice, school or home setting
• Qualification in health, social care or child development
• Formal safeguarding qualification for adults and children
• Training in motivational interviewing, coaching or behaviour change
• Experience of clinical systems such as SystmOne or EMIS Web
• Knowledge of GP practices and school-based health services
• Ability to communicate difficult messages to patients and families