Social Prescribing Link Worker

We are seeking a compassionate and proactive Social Prescribing Link Worker to join our community health team.

The successful candidate will play a vital role in connecting individuals with local services and support networks to improve their overall well‑being.

This paid position offers an excellent opportunity to make a positive impact by fostering social inclusion, promoting health, and enhancing quality of life.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with clients to understand social, emotional and practical needs.
• Conduct holistic assessments and identify suitable community resources and support options.
• Develop personalised care plans in collaboration with clients.
• Act as liaison between clients and external organisations, facilitating smooth referrals and follow‑up support.
• Organise group activities or workshops to improve social engagement and well‑being.
• Maintain accurate records of client interactions, assessments and referrals in accordance with data protection policies.
• Work closely with healthcare professionals for a coordinated approach to patient care.
• Promote awareness of social prescribing initiatives within the community through outreach activities.
• Participate in PCN multi‑disciplinary team meetings, building relationships with staff in GP practices, and providing information and feedback on social prescribing.
• Develop strong links with local agencies to encourage referrals and raise awareness.
• Provide referral agencies with regular updates, training and feedback.
• Seek regular feedback about service quality and impact of social prescribing on referral agencies.
• Encourage equality and inclusion, connecting with diverse communities.
• Provide personalised support, including home visits when appropriate.
• Use an asset‑based approach to support independence and enablement.
• Help people identify wider issues impacting health and wellbeing.
• Co‑produce personalised support plans based on priorities and values.
• Physically introduce people to culturally appropriate community groups and statutory services.
• Follow up to ensure satisfaction and engagement.
• Assist people eligible for a personal health budget.
• Support community groups and VCSE organisations to receive referrals.
• Forge strong links with a wide range of local VCSE organisations and community groups.
• Collaborate with commissioners and local partners to identify unmet needs.
• Encourage volunteer support and community resilience.
• Develop a team of volunteers to provide buddying support.
• Provide regular confidence surveys to community groups.
• Engage in projects, presentations or workshops as required.
• Alleviate data capture and impact tracking tasks.
• Maintain adherence to data protection legislation and data‑sharing agreements.
• Engage in professional development and supervision.
• Adhere to organisational policies on confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, equality, diversity, inclusion, and health and safety.
• Contribute to business planning, policy development and equality initiatives.
• Undertake tasks consistent with the level of the post and general character of the post.

Qualifications & Training

• NVQ Level 3, Advanced Level, or equivalent qualifications (or working towards).
• Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
• Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience.

Experience

• Working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement.
• Supporting people, families and carers in a related role.
• Supporting people with mental health issues (paid, unpaid or informal).
• Working with the VCSE sector, including volunteers and community groups.
• Experience in data collection and measuring impact of services.
• Partnership/collaborative working and building relationships across organisations.

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of the personalised care approach.
• Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Knowledge of community development approaches.
• Knowledge of IT systems, including word processing, email and internet to create plans and reports.
• Local knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality.
• Understanding of NHS operations, including primary care.
• Personal Qualities & Attributes
• Ability to actively listen, empathise and provide person‑centred support in a non‑judgmental way.
• Ability to provide a culturally sensitive service and support people from all backgrounds.
• Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively engaging diverse communities.
• Ability to inspire trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Risk‑identification and management skills.
• Strong awareness of appropriate referral processes.
• Asset‑based approach and ability to build on existing assets.
• Effective working relationships and promotion of collaborative practice.
• Commitment to collaborative work with local agencies.
• Creativity and solution‑finding in community issues.
• Personal accountability, emotional resilience and ability to work under pressure.
• Planning, prioritising and meeting deadlines on own initiative.
• High level of written and oral communication skills.
• Flexibility and enthusiasm within a team or individually.
• Understanding of volunteer‑led community groups and ability to support their development.
• Motivational coaching skills.
• Additional Eligibility
• Meets DBS reference standards and criminal record checks.
• Willingness to work flexible hours when required.
• Access to own transport, clean driving licence and ability to travel across the locality.

We are a medium‑sized primary care network of three GP practices working alongside to deliver quality care to patients.

We are training practices with a variety of multi‑disciplinary team members.

We are developing new roles and have successfully implemented new ways of working and offer strong support and mentoring to new members of the team.

Our PCN is based at Sarum North in Amesbury, Tidworth and Ludgershall.

We offer a competitive salary, a structured development plan, clinical supervision and participation in multi‑disciplinary meetings.

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