PCN Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW) - Part Time

Part-time, non‑clinical role. The Social Prescriber works as part of the Primary Care Network (PCN) multidisciplinary team to provide non‑clinical, person‑centred support to patients whose health and wellbeing are affected by social, emotional or practical factors. The role supports patients to identify their needs, set goals and access appropriate community, voluntary, statutory and health‑related services. Social Prescribers help people take greater control of their health and wellbeing while supporting General Practice by reducing inappropriate clinical workload.

Main Duties of the Job

The Social Prescribing team is a key resource supporting patients with non‑clinical needs and managing demand within general practice. It provides early intervention, signposting to community resources and supports patients while they await access to other services. Social Prescribers often act as the most accessible point of support for patients and families experiencing frustration with system delays, particularly in areas such as mental health, neuro‑diversity, housing and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Take referrals from agencies, GP practices, pharmacies, multidisciplinary teams, allied health professionals, social care services, housing associations and voluntary and community organisations.
• Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to enable independent living and improve health outcomes.
• Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them.
• Manage and prioritise your own caseload.
• Refer people back to other health professionals or agencies when it is beyond the scope of the role.
• Draw on and increase the strengths of local communities, enabling local organisations and community groups to receive social prescribing referrals.
• Work with local partners to ensure community organisations are sustainable, nurture community assets and support the establishment of new groups or services where gaps exist.
• Meet people one‑to‑one, usually by phone but may include home visits, giving them time to tell their stories and focusing on what matters to them.
• Be a friendly source of information about wellbeing and prevention approaches.
• Work with the person, their families and carers to consider how all can be supported through social prescribing.
• Where appropriate, assist people to gain skills for life and independence.

Experience

• Demonstrable experience working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support, public support or public health/health improvement.
• Experience working with the general public.
• Experience working within the NHS, Social Care or multidisciplinary team.
• Experience working under pressure, managing varying workloads and changing demands.
• Excellent communication skills – confident, articulate orally and in writing.
• Ability to build relationships to enable collaborative working.
• Experience supporting people, families and carers in a related role (may include unpaid work).
• Experience of partnership/collaborative working and building relationships across organisations.
• Experience in data collection and providing monitoring information to assess impact of services.
• Full driving licence and access to a car.
• Ability to travel across the locality and visit people in their homes.

Qualifications

• GCSE grade A* to C (9–4) in English and Maths or equivalent.
• Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
• Willingness to work towards further educational qualifications required for the role.
• NVQ Level 3, Advanced level, or equivalent qualifications.

Other Essential Skills

• IT skills – confident with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Experience of EMIS is desirable but not essential.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.