Social Prescribing Link Worker

Allied Health South Lincolnshire Limited; Spalding; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health organization based in the United Kingdom is seeking a dedicated Social Prescribing Link Worker to provide person-centred support to individuals and their families. This role involves working collaboratively with health and social care teams, prioritizing caseloads based on individual needs, and promoting social prescribing within the community. The ideal candidate will have an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care and experience in a healthcare setting. Strong communication skills and a commitment to reducing health inequalities are essential for success in this role.

Benefits

Staff wellbeing package

Competitive annual leave

Pension opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience of working in community, health, social care or voluntary sector settings.
• Strong understanding of the wider determinants of health.
• Experience within a PCN or healthcare setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred, strengths-based support to individuals and carers.
• Manage and prioritise a caseload in line with individual needs.
• Work collaboratively with the Social Care Team.
• Promote social prescribing and support staff understanding.
• Help people identify issues impacting their health.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Listening skills

Understanding of health inequalities

Ability to work independently

Teamwork

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care

Job description

South Lincs Rural PCN have an exciting opportunity for a Social Prescribing Link Worker to join our team based within Primary Care in the Long Sutton Practice, within the South Lincolnshire Rural Primary Care Network. The development of Integrated Neighbourhood working is supporting providers to work in a joined‑up way. Primary Care play a key role in the success of Integrated Neighbourhood working, supporting patients to self‑manage their condition or be assisted to manage their health needs closer to home, in their local communities. This approach enables more people with health and social care complexities to achieve a greater balance in all round health.

South Lincolnshire Rural Primary Care Network includes the following practices; Gosberton Medical Centre, Moulton Medical Centre, Sutterton Surgery, Galletly Practice, Abbeyview Surgery, Holbeach Medical Centre, Littlebury Medical Centre, The Suttons Medical Group and The Deepings Practice.

Please send your CV and cover letter outlining why you are suitable for this role and to be considered for this position.

Main duties of the job

• Provide person‑centred, strengths‑based support to individuals and carers.
• Manage and prioritise a caseload in line with individual needs, risk and urgency.
• Work collaboratively with the SLRPCN Social Care Team, including Specialist Neighbourhood Nurses, Health Coaches and Mental Health Link Workers.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with VCSE organisations and community groups.
• Promote social prescribing across the PCN and support staff understanding of community referral pathways.
• Support the development of community assets, volunteers, health champions and expert patients.
• Accurately record activity and outcomes in line with data protection and information governance requirements.
• Use materials, approaches and systems to promote social prescribing within the PCN, its role in self‑management, and the wider determinants of health.
• Build relationships with staff in GP practices within the local PCN, attending relevant MDT meetings, giving information and feedback on social prescribing.
• Be proactive in developing strong links with all local agencies to encourage referrals, recognising what they need to be confident in the service to make appropriate referrals.
• Help people identify the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, being unemployed, loneliness and caring responsibilities.
• Work with the person, their families and carers and consider how they can all be supported through social prescribing.
• Work with individuals to co‑produce a simple personalised support plan based on their priorities, interests, values and motivations, including what they can expect from the groups, activities and services they are being connected to and what the person can do for themselves to improve their health and wellbeing.
• Physically introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable and follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, included and receiving good support.
• Help people to gain skills for meaningful employment where appropriate.
• Seek advice and support by attending monthly team supervision to discuss patient‑related concerns such as abuse, domestic violence and support with mental health, referring the patient back to the GP or other suitable health professional if required. Attend 1‑1 sessions with line manager and attend monthly team meetings, which gives an opportunity to share good practice, training and updates and new working practices.
• Contribute information to help PCN, commissioners and local partners identify unmet needs within the community.
• Work sensitively with people, their families and carers to capture key information, enabling tracking of the impact of social prescribing on their health and wellbeing.
• Work with your supervising GP to access regular clinical supervision to deal effectively with the difficult issues that people present.
• Work as part of the PCN healthcare team to seek feedback, continually improve the service and contribute to service improvement and business development.
• Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner.
• Respect patient confidentiality and the confidentiality of electronically stored personal data in line with GDPR.
• Take responsibility for self‑development on a continuous basis, undertaking on‑the‑job training as required.
• Represent the PCN and ensure the values of the PCN are always upheld in carrying out your work.
• Provide cover for absent colleagues.
• Be prepared to undertake duties at any location within the SLRPCN to meet service needs.
• Work in general accordance with the organisation's policies and guidelines, including safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and health and safety.

About you

• You will have excellent communication and listening skills, a genuine commitment to reducing health inequalities, and the ability to work confidently with people from diverse backgrounds. You will understand professional boundaries and know when to elevate or refer individuals whose needs fall outside the scope of the role. Experience of working in community, health, social care or voluntary sector settings is essential.

Essential Requirements

• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) or working towards.
• Strong understanding of the wider determinants of health.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Enhanced DBS clearance.
• Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or prepared to work towards in Health and Social Care.

Experience

• Experience working within a PCN or healthcare setting with 2 years experience preferred.
• Experience working in GP practice or health and wellbeing related work.

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.

Allied Health South Lincolnshire offers an excellent staff wellbeing package, competitive annual leave allowance and pension opportunities. South Lincs Rural PCN adheres to the NHS People Promise.

For further information please contact Linda Smith ([e-mail]).