At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in improving their health and wellbeing through community connections.
- Company: Join Ely PCNs, a forward-thinking network of GP practices.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building strong community ties.
- Qualifications: Experience in health and social care, with a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 32715 - 32715 £ per year.
The post is a full-time position (37.5 hours) and the successful candidate will be deployed across any of the practices within Ely PCNs, depending on service need. It may also be necessary to provide cross-cover for annual leave, sickness and similar situations.
This job is about helping people work out what they need to improve their health and wellbeing; and then supporting them to make practical and realistic plans to change things for the better. The role involves helping the person connect into their own local community networks of family, friends, and organisations, and helping the person navigate existing health and social care services when needed.
Over the last seven years, our Social Prescribing Link Workers have become key members of our GP Practice teams - highly valued and appreciated by the GPs and Practice team colleagues, and also by the frontline staff from other organisations working across the East Cambridgeshire Neighbourhood.
Main duties of the job include:
- Working directly one-to-one with patients who need help with non-medical aspects of their lives.
- Supporting people with emotional, social and practical support, including:
- Getting help with housing
- Getting help with transport, mobility, and accessibility
- Accessing advice around money, debt, and benefits
- Managing forms and correspondence
- Making meaningful social connections
- Connecting with mental health services and social services
- Maintaining healthy lifestyles, activities, and exercise
- Finding and maintaining employment and meaningful activities
- Getting help with activities of daily living and assistive technology
- Getting help with any family or caring responsibilities they may have.
The Social Prescriber is not expected to be expert in each area but is expected to be a skilled generalist: able to rapidly understand the patients' views, needs, and wishes, know what help is available, and how to access it.
Social Prescribers develop a detailed understanding of their local community - what's available, what isn't, what works, and what doesn't. This intelligence helps identify areas of greatest need and priorities for community development.
Key aspects of the role include:
- Providing personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to help them take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes.
- Developing trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them.
- Taking a holistic approach, based on the person's priorities.
- Co-producing a simple personalised support plan to address the person's health and wellbeing needs.
- Taking referrals from a wide range of agencies.
- Working with clients and colleagues in the community across East Cambridgeshire.
- Managing and prioritising your own caseload, working both independently and as part of a team.
- Building relationships with staff in GP practices within the local PCN.
- Encouraging self-referrals and connecting with all local communities.
- Meeting people on a one-to-one basis, making home visits where appropriate.
- Providing non-judgemental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices.
- Helping people maintain or regain independence through living skills and adaptations.
- Seeking advice and support from the GP supervisor regarding patient-related concerns.
- Working with commissioners and local partners to identify unmet needs within the community.
Qualifications required include:
- GCSE grade C or equivalent in Maths and English.
- Two years experience of working in adult health and social care, or related sectors.
Essential personal skills include:
- Enthusiasm about supporting individuals and communities.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Well-organised, diligent, self-motivated and able to prioritise.
- Ability to build strong working relationships.
Knowledge required includes:
- Good understanding of patient confidentiality.
- Broad knowledge of how the NHS, voluntary and statutory sector works.
- Understanding of the wider determinants of health.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Social Prescribing Link Worker employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
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 National Health Service.
✨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 National Health Service!
✨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 National Health Service, 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 National Health Service 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
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 National Health Service:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to National Health Service! 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 National Health Service
✨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.
