Social Prescribing Officers (x3) in Armagh

Reports To

H ours of Work

17.5 hours per week x 2

35 hour per week x 1

Locations

Posts available in: Portadown, Banbridge and South Armagh

Programme

REACH

Band

Clanrye Group Band 3

REACH is a project supported by PEACEPLUS; a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Role Purpose

To support individuals and their families across the REACH programme area to improve their health, wellbeing and life outcomes through a person-centred social prescribing approach. Working with people of all ages, the post holder will hold a caseload of participants, carrying out holistic assessments and risk screening, and working collaboratively with each participant to develop and review tailored action plans. REACH is a project supported by PEACEPLUS; a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The role involves building strong relationships with healthcare professionals, statutory services and community organisations to ensure effective, timely signposting to appropriate support including services addressing mental wellbeing, physical health, resilience and healthy lifestyle choices.

The post holder will work across NI and ROI jurisdictions as required, adapting their approach to reflect the different health and social care systems and referral pathways in each area, and will maintain accurate, confidential participant records in line with data protection requirements throughout.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a caseload of participants within your designated area.
• Carry out holistic assessment and undertake risk screening for each participant.
• Create and agree a person-centred action plan for each participant and put in place necessary support as identified within the plan.
• Support and encourage participants to make their own decisions and choices.
• Ensure programme activities and thematic workshops support participant development, including mental wellbeing, physical health, resilience, stress management and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Schedule timely reviews of each participant action plan to ensure sustainable benefits are being met.
• Implement effective signposting to services that will address participant needs.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with referral agents, including GPs, MDTs, healthcare professionals and statutory services, to support appropriate referrals and effective participant pathways.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community and voluntary organisations to ensure a clear understanding of local services, support pathways and onward referral options.

Operational Duties

• Carry out assigned tasks in accordance with established procedures, schedules, and instructions.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, safety, maintenance, or service delivery in assigned areas or functions.
• Use equipment, tools, and materials safely and appropriately, following training and guidance.
• Report faults, hazards, health and safety concerns, or equipment failures to line manager promptly.
• Follow all health and safety procedures and use personal protective equipment (PPE) where required.

Communication and Teamwork

• Work cooperatively with colleagues to ensure smooth operation of services.
• Interact courteously and professionally with staff, service users, visitors, and contractors.
• Report any concerns, incidents, or issues to line manager in a timely manner.

Compliance and Standards

• Follow Clanrye Group policies and procedures at all times.
• Maintain appropriate standards of hygiene, presentation, and conduct.
• Ensure compliance with SEUPB manual and procedures and prepare reports timeously as required.

Supervision and Autonomy

The post holder works with a significant degree of autonomy within their caseload, exercising professional judgement in assessment, action planning and signposting decisions, in line with agreed procedures and guidance. Regular supervision and support is provided by the Social Prescribing Coordinator, with more complex or non-routine matters referred for guidance.

Decision-Making

Makes professional judgements within a defined framework, including assessing participant needs, agreeing action plans, and determining appropriate signposting and referral routes. Refers complex, safeguarding, or non-routine matters to the Social Prescribing Coordinator.

People Management

No line management, supervisory, or coordination responsibility.

No budget responsibility. May handle small amounts of cash or petty cash in line with procedures (e.g., bus fares, vending), where applicable.

Safeguarding Responsibility

All Clanrye Group staff have a duty to recognise and report safeguarding concerns relating to children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

The post holder must:

• Remain alert to signs of harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to line manager or the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Organisational Responsibilities

All employees of Clanrye Group are required to:

• Work in accordance with organisational policies, procedures, and the Code of Conduct.
• Comply with data protection, confidentiality, equality, and health and safety requirements.
• Participate in supervision, appraisal, and training activities as required.
• Work collaboratively to support effective communication and continuous improvement.

Flexibility Clause

The duties outlined above represent the core functions of this role but are not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature and level of responsibility as may reasonably be required to meet the changing needs of the organisation.

Any significant changes will be discussed in advance where possible. Reasonable adjustments will be considered where changes may disadvantage disabled employees.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

• Relevant qualification in health & social care, community development or related field (D)
• Willingness to undertake training in a range of areas to include; trauma-informed practice, boundaries training. (E)

Experience

• Experience of delivering community-based or group activities (E)
• Experience of partnership working with community, voluntary or statutory organisations (E)
• Experience of, or exposure to, cross-border or cross-jurisdictional partnership working (D)

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to support one-to-one engagement and build group activities (E)
• Strong interpersonal skills with a compassionate, person-centred approach (E)
• Ability to build relationships and encourage participation (E)
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage own workload (E)
• Good IT skills for record keeping and reporting (E)
• Understanding of, or ability to quickly develop knowledge of, both HSC (Northern Ireland) and HSE (Republic of Ireland) health and social care systems, and awareness of the practicalities of working across the border (E)
• Understanding of data protection and confidentiality requirements when handling sensitive personal and health-related information (E)

Personal Qualities

• Respectful and courteous in dealings with colleagues, service users, and visitors (E)
• Person-centred, compassionate and respectful approach (E)
• Positive, flexible and proactive attitude (E)
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently (E)
• Commitment to equality, inclusion and dignity (E)

Safeguarding and Vetting

• Willingness to complete safeguarding awareness training (E)
• Ability to work at assigned location(s); reasonable adjustments will be considered (E)
• Willingness to work flexibly within agreed working hours, which may include early mornings, evenings, or weekends depending on operational needs (E)
• Ability to work at assigned location(s); reasonable adjustments will be considered (E)
• Full driving licence and access to transport (E)

Employee Benefits

• Annual leave: 20 days rising to 25 after 2 years’ service, plus 12 statutory days
• Length of service holiday awards (up to 5 additional days)
• Flexible working arrangements in line with policy
• Occupational sick pay and Personal Health Insurance (subject to scheme rules)
• Enhanced family‑friendly rights
• Wellbeing hour (one paid hour pro rata per week, subject to agreement)
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• Birthday leave

#J-18808-Ljbffr