Social Prescribing Link Worker

Social Prescribing Link Worker

Full-Time 37035 - 45265 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Age Uk

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support individuals in improving their health and wellbeing through community connections.
  • Company: Join Age UK Barnet, a local charity making a real difference in people's lives.
  • Benefits: Gain valuable experience, work in a supportive team, and contribute to community health.
  • Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and to make a positive impact in your community.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that empowers people and strengthens community resilience.
  • Qualifications: Experience in care or support roles, with knowledge of personalised care approaches.

The predicted salary is between 37035 - 45265 £ per year.

Social prescribing link workers will work as a key part of the primary care network (PCN) multi- disciplinary team.

Social prescribing can help PCNs to strengthen community and personal resilience and reduces health and wellbeing inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing peoples active involvement with their local communities.

It particularly works for people with long term conditions (including support for mental health), for people who are lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

Main duties of the job 1.

Working with direct supervision by a GP, take referrals from a wide range of agencies, including PCNs, GP practices, pharmacies, wider multi-disciplinary teams, hospital discharge teams, allied health professionals, fire service, police, job centres, social care services, housing associations, and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations (list not exhaustive). 2.

Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes.

The role will require managing and prioritising your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload. 3.

Social prescribing link workers will have a role in educating non-clinical and clinical staff within their PCN multi-disciplinary teams on what other services are available within the community., Key Tasks 1.

Promote social prescribing within Networks As part of the PCN multi-disciplinary team, 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.

Support PCN efforts to raise awareness of social prescribing and how partnership working can reduce pressure on statutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic approach to care.

Contribute to programmes gaining regular feedback about the quality of service and impact of social prescribing on referral agencies.

Utilise systems and technology to proactively encourage self-referrals and connecting with all local communities, particularly those communities that statutory agencies may find hard to reach.

Job description, Key Tasks 1.

Promote social prescribing within Networks As part of the PCN multi-disciplinary team, 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.

Support PCN efforts to raise awareness of social prescribing and how partnership working can reduce pressure on statutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic approach to care.

Contribute to programmes gaining regular feedback about the quality of service and impact of social prescribing on referral agencies.

Utilise systems and technology to proactively encourage self-referrals and connecting with all local communities, particularly those communities that statutory agencies may find hard to reach.

  • Ability to use technology such as internet, zoom, excel, word, email.
  • Immunisation status up to date.
  • Essential
  • At least 2 years experience working in a care or support role.
  • Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent.
  • Experience Essential
  • Knowledge of personalised care approach.
  • Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related roll.
  • Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health.
  • Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on individuals and their families.
  • Knowledge of how the NHS works including Primary Care.
  • Desirable
  • Local knowledge of VCSE and community services.
  • Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role.
  • Ability to use technology such as internet, zoom, excel, word, email.
  • Immunisation status up to date.
  • At least 2 years experience working in a care or support role.
  • Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent.
  • Experience Essential
  • Knowledge of personalised care approach.
  • Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related roll.
  • Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health.
  • Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on individuals and their families.
  • Knowledge of how the NHS works including Primary Care.
  • Desirable
  • Local knowledge of VCSE and community services.
  • Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role.
  • Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role.

Age UK Barnet is a local independent charity with 78 staff members.

We help over 1500 local older people every year, offering activities and services, events, befriending and information.

It's a great place to work if you really want to make a difference in people's lives.

  • Our Social Prescribing team work at GP Practices throughout the Borough of Barnet and have increased to a team of 22 link workers over the past 3 years.
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

Social Prescribing Link Worker employer: Age Uk

Age UK is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Sunderland where you can make a real difference in the lives of older people. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and a range of wellbeing initiatives, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive both personally and professionally. Join our dedicated team and enjoy unique benefits like the Blue Light Card scheme and recognition awards, all while contributing to a meaningful cause.

Age Uk

Contact Details:

Age Uk Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Social Prescribing Link Worker

Dive into Local Community Groups

Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Age Uk.

Attend Social Work Events and Workshops

Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Age Uk!

Showcase Your Passion and Expertise

Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Age Uk, will notice your enthusiasm!

Leverage Your Network

Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Age Uk or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.

We think you need these skills to ace Social Prescribing Link Worker

Community Development
Personalised Care Approach
Motivational Coaching
Interpersonal Skills
Referral Management
Health and Wellbeing Knowledge
Understanding of Wider Determinants of Health

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.

Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!

Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!

Tailor Your Application to Age Uk:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Age Uk! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Age Uk

Understanding the Role of Empathy

In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.

Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.

Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills

In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.