Woodspring Children and Young People Social Prescribing Link Worker

North Somerset Council; Compton Dando; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council is seeking a passionate Children and Young People Social Prescribing Link Worker in Compton Dando. This role involves empowering young people to manage their health through community connections and support, while liaising with various services. Applicants should have a minimum Level 3 health qualification and experience in promoting wellbeing. This position promotes impactful engagement, ensuring children are supported effectively.

Qualifications

• Experience of promoting health in education, health care, or community contexts.
• Ability to listen and provide person-centred support.
• Confidence in having difficult conversations, especially in mental health.

Responsibilities

• Manage referrals for children and young people to benefit from social prescribing.
• Liaise with agencies to deliver effective intervention packages.
• Empower participants to maximize control over their lives through action plans.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

IT skills

Education

Level 3 in relevant health or wellbeing qualification

Job description

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Children and Young People Social Prescribing Link Worker to join our Family Wellbeing team. The Family Wellbeing team are responsible for supporting the early help offer within North Somerset.

In this role, you will respond to the needs of children and young people who are registered with GP practices in the Woodspring area (Gordano Valley, Tyntesfield and Mendip Vale Primary Care Networks), particularly those that are missing or not in education, via the implementation of a children and young people’s social prescribing model. You will connect children and young people to a broad range of activities, groups, services and interventions in their local area in a timely and effective way for practical and emotional support. Led by the wants and needs of the young people themselves, this postholder will increase young person’s active involvement with their local communities, enabling them to take control of their health, wellbeing and lives whilst also reducing health inequalities using a holistic approach.

You will also support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help young people to start new groups, working collaboratively with all local partners and being responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with statutory services, children centres / family hubs, community groups, youth organisations and other stakeholders – including practice staff at Woodspring GP surgeries.

Key Responsibilities

• To receive referrals, identifying children and young people that would benefit from social prescribing, after they have been assessed by a GP, health professional, or via North Somerset Council’s Front Door.
• Effectively manage and prioritise a caseload of participants, ensuring ambitious performance targets and project objectives are met.
• To liaise and work with a range of agencies within and outside North Somerset Council, to deliver effective, intervention packages. This includes local VCSE organisations, community groups, children centres and family hubs.
• To be a positive role model and to challenge attitudes and behaviours placed on young people.
• Empower participants (and their families) to maximise the control they have over their lives through enabling them to assess their own abilities, identify goals, take charge of decisions which affect them and improve their ability to self‑care. This will involve co‑producing action plans and facilitating their follow‑through.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about empowering children and young people to take control of their health and wellbeing, and who possesses the following skills and experience.

Essential Criteria

• Educated to a minimum of level 3 in relevant health, education, wellbeing or youth related qualification.
• Experience of promoting health and wellbeing in education, health care, social care, public health or a voluntary and community context.
• Passion, empathy and desire to support children and young people to lead healthier, happier lives and to motivate others to reach their full potential.
• Ability to listen to and empathise with children and young people and provide person‑centred support in a non‑judgemental way, respecting lifestyles and diversity and inspiring trust and confidence.
• Confidence in having difficult conversations, particularly in mental health, anxiety or self‑harm­ing behaviours and ability to use motivational interviewing.
• Experience of the change process and eliciting and maintaining changes in behaviours.
• Experience of implementing monitoring, evaluation systems and capturing the child/young person’s voice.
• Ability to develop and maintain partnerships with a range of professionals and stakeholder, promoting collaborative working and finding creative solutions to community issues.
• Excellent IT skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, web research.
• Understanding of protocols and legislation regarding confidentiality and data protection.
• Ability to work independently and proactively on own initiative and to work flexibly and enthusiastically as a valued member of a team.
• Excellent organisation skills, with the ability to complete administration tasks effectively and efficiently and to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative including when under pressure and meeting deadlines.
• Willingness to undertake any other duties commensurate with this post as well as working outside normal office hours and across multiple sites.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Laura Brain, Supporting Families Team Leader, at [e-mail] or 07386963285.

Interview Date: Wednesday 29 January 2025.