Counselling Social Prescribing Link Worker in Newcastle upon Tyne

The Counselling Social Prescriber supports patients referred by GPs and other health professionals to address emotional, social, and psychological factors impacting their wellbeing. Working alongside health and voluntary sector partners, the role helps people build resilience and connect with appropriate non-clinical and therapeutic supports such as low‑level talking therapies, community‑based wellbeing activities, peer support, or alternative counselling services. This role is ideal for someone with a background in counselling, psychology, or therapeutic practice who is passionate about enabling people to make positive changes in their lives through a holistic, person‑centred approach.

Main Duties of the Job

• Provide one‑to‑one appointments to explore what matters to patients, focusing on emotional wellbeing and mental health needs.
• Use active listening and trauma‑informed approaches to develop a person‑centred support plan.
• Identify and refer patients to suitable support services, including community counselling, wellbeing activities, self‑help resources, mental health support groups, or statutory mental health services where appropriate.
• Provide short‑term supportive listening for patients experiencing distress, anxiety, grief, or social isolation.
• Maintain strong relationships with local mental health services, voluntary and community organisations, and counselling services.
• Monitor and review patient progress, ensuring follow‑up support and continuity of care.
• Work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team including GPs, practice staff, social prescribers, mental health practitioners, and community workers.
• Contribute to the mapping and development of community mental health and wellbeing resources.
• Maintain accurate and timely records on patient management systems (e.g., EMIS, SystmOne).

Secondary Responsibilities

• Manage own workload and prioritise effectively.
• Undertake relevant training, ensure continued professional development, and engage with regular appraisal and supervision.
• Comply with information governance and data protection, including training on information security, encryption, home working and remote access where applicable, and records management and information quality responsibilities.
• Take responsibility for own health and wellbeing, promote wellbeing across the organisation, and support colleagues.
• Identify, escalate and manage safeguarding referrals.
• Report incidents and disseminate learning.
• Follow policies and processes.
• Support service development and continuous improvement.
• Attend meetings on behalf of NGPS and the social prescribing team.
• Participate in audits, collect data, and support evaluation of the service.

Communication and Relationships

• Communicate effectively with service/team members and patients in a timely manner.
• Adapt communication methods to meet patients’ needs, including text, email, or telephone calls.
• Report patients who behave inappropriately to the practice manager or project/service manager.
• Treat others with empathy and kindness, respecting confidentiality and data protection.
• Support initiatives to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all practice users.
• Respect, support, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and inclusivity.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Qualification or training in counselling, psychology, mental health, or related field (e.g., Level 3+ counselling skills or equivalent experience).
• Registration or working towards registration with a professional body (e.g., BACP, UKCP).

Experience

• Counselling experience within the last 2 years.
• Experience as a social prescriber.
• Experience of signposting to and navigating complex service users’ needs.
• Experience of working in a demanding environment with competing priorities.
• Experience of handling confidential information and an up‑to‑date knowledge of data protection legislation.
• Experience of team working and versatility to take on a variety of tasks.
• Experience of managing own workload and independently managing time.
• Experience of communicating with others, including via phone, email and face‑to‑face, and experience of working with patients directly in patient‑facing roles.
• Experience of working with service users and excellent customer service skills.
• Experience and understanding of safeguarding; legislation, policies and escalation.
• Experience in healthcare (specifically General Practice).
• Experience of delivering link work in a community setting.
• Experience working with GP clinical systems.
• Experience of supporting patients with long‑term needs over an extended time frame.

Skills & Qualities

• Skills and ability to manage complex cases to best meet service user need.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and show initiative.
• Excellent organisation and time‑management skills, with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office packages (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Keen attention to detail and ability to produce work to a high standard.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work on own initiative, use judgement and make decisions.
• Willingness to work regularly without direct supervision, using initiative.
• Forward thinker with a solutions‑focused approach to problem‑solving.
• Personable and approachable.
• Commitment to continuous service improvement.
• Self‑motivated and confident, able to work with minimal direction.
• Adaptable and innovative.
• Enthusiasm, with energy and drive.
• Hard‑working, reliable and resourceful.
• Evidence of a commitment to continuing professional development.
• Person‑centred and strengths‑based.
• Empathetic, non‑judgemental, and culturally sensitive.
• Committed to improving health equity and reducing barriers to support.
• Considered, steady approach.
• Diplomacy.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. We are an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds.