Social Prescribing Link Worker Economic Trailblazer Pilot

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health organization in Manchester seeks a Social Prescribing Link Worker to support economically inactive individuals in their pursuit of work and training. The role includes conducting assessments, connecting clients to resources, and working closely with other healthcare providers. Ideal candidates will have strong interpersonal skills and experience working with diverse populations. This full-time fixed-term position is based across Trafford West with a start date of October 1, 2025.

Benefits

Opportunity to make a measurable difference

Access to training and development

Collaborative work environment

Qualifications

• Experience working with individuals facing barriers to employment.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
• Understanding of the wider determinants of health.

Responsibilities

• Assess client needs and co-produce action plans.
• Connect clients to local services and support.
• Monitor and report on client progress.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Empathy

Organizational skills

Education

GCSEs in English and Maths at grade C/4 or above

Training in social care or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Databases

Job description

Social Prescribing Link Worker Economic Trailblazer Pilot

Job title: Social Prescribing Link Worker (Economic Trailblazer Pilot)Employer: The Counselling and Family Centre (on behalf of Trafford West Primary Care Network)Contract: Fixed-term until 31 March 2026 (with aim to extend subject to funding)Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per weekStart date: 1 October 2025Location: Across Trafford West PCN, including Partington and surrounding areas

Job summary

Job title: Social Prescribing Link Worker (Economic Trailblazer Pilot)Employer: The Counselling and Family Centre (on behalf of Trafford West Primary Care Network)Contract: Fixed-term until 31 March 2026 (with aim to extend subject to funding)Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per weekStart date: 1 October 2025Location: Across Trafford West PCN, including Partington and surrounding areas

About the Role

We are delighted to have secured new funding through the Greater Manchester Economic Trailblazer programme to launch this exciting pilot post within Trafford West Primary Care Network (PCN).

Were looking for a committed, compassionate, and motivated Social Prescribing Link Worker to help people who have been economically inactive for at least 6 months take positive steps towards work, training, or education.

Youll provide personalised, one-to-one support for people who often face significant barriers to employment, including:

• People with diagnosed learning disabilities

• People with neurodivergent conditions (diagnosed or awaiting assessment)

• People with diagnosed mental health conditions

• Carers seeking to return to work

By joining us, youll be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team, working flexibly across GP practices and in the community. Youll be at the forefront of tackling economic inactivity in our local area, helping to improve lives and strengthen our communities.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out holistic assessments and co-produce personal action plans

• Connect people to local services, training providers, volunteering opportunities, and wellbeing activities

• Provide ongoing encouragement and support to help individuals overcome barriers

• Work closely with GP practices, voluntary sector organisations, and employment support services

• Monitor and report on progress and outcomes

• Maintain safeguarding standards and accurate record keeping

About You

You will have:

• Experience of working with individuals facing multiple barriers to employment or wellbeing

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

• An understanding of the wider determinants of health and how these impact employment

• The ability to work independently and as part of a multi-agency team

• A flexible, solution-focused approach

About us

Why Join Us?

• This is an exciting opportunity to make a measurable difference in peoples lives and the local economy

• You will be part of a pioneering pilot that could shape the future of social prescribing in Trafford and beyond

• We aim for this role to continue beyond the initial 6-month funded period

Other Information

• Employer: The Counselling and Family Centre providing HR, training, and supervision

• Service management: Trafford West PCN integrating the role into PCN activities

• An enhanced DBS check will be required prior to starting the role

Job description

Job responsibilities

Social Prescribing Link Worker Economic Trailblazer Pilot

Employer: The Counselling and Family Centre (on behalf of Trafford West Primary Care Network)

Contract: Fixed-term until 31 March 2026 (with the aim to secure funding beyond this date)

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Start Date: 1 October 2025

Location: Across Trafford West PCN, including Partington and surrounding areas

Purpose of the Role

Thanks to new funding from the Greater Manchester Economic Trailblazer programme, we have an exciting opportunity to launch a dedicated Social Prescribing role within Trafford West PCN.

This pilot role will deliver personalised, one-to-one social prescribing support to economically inactive patients aged 18+ who face barriers to entering employment, training, or education. The role will focus on disadvantaged groups, helping them build confidence, develop skills, and access the right resources to move closer to work or training opportunities.

By embedding this post within our primary care network, we aim to make a real difference in reducing economic inactivity locally. While this is a fixed-term role, our ambition is to demonstrate its value and secure funding to extend it beyond March 2026.

Management & Support

Employer: Counselling and Family Centre responsible for employment, HR, training, and supervision

Day-to-day management: Trafford West PCN responsible for service delivery and integration with PCN activities

Introduction

We are excited to announce a newly funded role through the Greater Manchester Economic Trailblazer programme. This is an excellent opportunity to join Trafford West Primary Care Network (PCN) as a Social Prescribing Link Worker with a specific focus on supporting adults who have been economically inactive for at least 6 months.

The role is designed to address the barriers that prevent people from moving into employment, training, or education including health, social, and practical challenges. You will work flexibly, offering personalised one-to-one support, and be embedded within the PCN team, giving you access to GP records and multidisciplinary support.

We are targeting groups that often face multiple disadvantages, including:

• People with diagnosed learning disabilities
• People with neurodivergent conditions (diagnosed or awaiting assessment)
• People with diagnosed mental health conditions
• Carers returning to work

This post will be based across Trafford West practices, with outreach in the community to meet people where it works best for them.

Main Tasks

• Work with adults referred from Trafford West PCN practices who have been out of work, education, or training for 6+ months
• Carry out holistic assessments to understand needs, strengths, and aspirations
• Connect people to community-based, person-centred support that helps them address barriers and move closer to work or training
• Liaise with partners across the VCFSE (Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise) sector, employment services, and health teams
• Provide ongoing support, encouragement, and follow-up until individuals are ready to take their next steps

Key Objectives

• Reduce barriers to employment, training, and education
• Improve confidence and motivation through tailored support and goal setting
• Increase social connections and reduce isolation by linking people to community groups and volunteering opportunities
• Improve wellbeing by ensuring physical, mental, and social needs are met
• Encourage self-management and resilience so individuals can sustain progress over time

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Receive and process referrals from Trafford West PCN and other agreed sources
• Provide personalised, flexible support with no fixed time limits per client during this pilot
• Take a whole-person approach, considering the wider determinants of health and wellbeing
• Co-produce a personalised action plan with each individual
• Meet people in GP practices, community spaces, or at home, depending on preference and need
• Build positive, trusting, and non-judgemental relationships
• Act as a bridge between healthcare and community resources
• Promote safeguarding and follow safeguarding procedures for vulnerable adults
• Build strong relationships with GP practice staff, attending meetings and promoting social prescribing
• Record and monitor activity, outcomes, and case studies for evaluation purposes
• Work within data protection legislation and PCN data sharing agreements
• Maintain professional development through training and supervision
• Work flexibly, including occasional evenings or weekends, to meet client needs

Other Requirements

An enhanced DBS check will be required prior to starting the role.

Communication and Working Relationships

To work and communicate with families/carers, communities, community groups, voluntary and statutory agencies.

Special Working Conditions

Travel around the Trafford area, work in a variety of settings, occasional transporting of resources for events and work unsocial hours evenings and weekends

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1994

Because of the nature of the work, this post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1994 (Exceptions) Order 1995. Applicants for posts are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are spent under the provisions of the Act and in the event of employment any failure to disclose such convictions could result in disciplinary action or dismissal. Any information given will be completely confidential and will be considered only in relation to an applicant of a position to which the order applies.

The post holder will comply with the organisations policies and procedures:

FURTHER AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Health and Safety/Risk Management

The post-holder must comply at all times with the Network Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the organisations Incident Reporting System.

Information Governance

As an employee you will have access to information that is sensitive to either an individual or to the organisation and you are reminded that in accordance with the requirements of Information Governance, NHS Code of Confidentiality, Data Protection Act 1998 and also the terms and conditions in your contract of employment, you have a duty to process this information judiciously and lawfully; failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

Performance Appraisal and Personal Development Planning

The network is committed to providing a high quality service through the effective management and development of its employees. Each employee receives an Annual Performance Appraisal and a Personal Development Plan.

Statutory and Mandatory Training

All required Statutory and Mandatory training must be completed within the first three months of staff start date and refresher training must also be undertaken on a regular basis and in accordance with agreed policy.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

The network is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults within its care. As an employee you are accountable to ensure that you know how to respond when you are concerned for the safety of a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

Infection Prevention and Control

All employees are expected to follow consistently high standards in the prevention and control of infection, especially with reference to hand hygiene, adherence to dress/uniform code and for clinical staff and all procedures involving aseptic technique.

Special Working Conditions

The post-holder is required to travel independently between practice sites and to attend meetings at other locations as required.

Job Description Agreement

This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to take into account development within the network. All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain the efficient running of the network.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths at grade C/4 or above
• Evidence of commitment to ongoing personal and professional development
• Training or qualification in a relevant area such as social care, community development, advice and guidance, or health and social care
• Willingness to undertake mandatory and role-specific training (including safeguarding, data protection, and mental health awareness)

Desirable

• Qualification in Social Prescribing, Counselling, Coaching, or Mentoring
• Training in neurodiversity awareness or mental health first aid

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust quickly
• Ability to work empathetically with people from diverse backgrounds and with complex needs
• Knowledge of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic, and environmental factors
• Good organisational and time-management skills
• Competent in using IT systems, including Microsoft Office, email, and databases
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures for adults and children

Desirable

• Knowledge of local voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) services in Trafford
• Understanding of barriers faced by economically inactive people seeking work or training
• Awareness of trauma-informed practice

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Non-judgemental, compassionate, and respectful approach
• Self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexible and adaptable, with willingness to work across multiple sites and occasionally outside standard hours
• Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Desirable

• Ability to engage creatively with individuals to identify and overcome barriers to employment or wellbeing
• Resilient and able to manage emotionally challenging situations
• Open to learning from experience and reflecting on practice to improve outcomes
• Enthusiastic about community development and empowering residents to achieve their goals
• Collaborative, with a willingness to share knowledge and work across multidisciplinary teams

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working directly with individuals in a person-centred, supportive role
• Experience of working with people with mental health needs, neurodivergent conditions, or other long-term conditions
• Experience of partnership working with a range of organisations and agencies
• Experience of managing a caseload and maintaining accurate records

Desirable

• Experience of working in a primary care, health, or social care setting
• Experience of delivering one-to-one support to help people move towards education, training, or employment
• Experience in community engagement or outreach 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.

Employer details

Employer name

Trafford West Primary Care Network

Address

130 Broadway

Manchester

M41 7WJ