Refugee and Asylum Seeker Social Prescribing Link Worker (RAS SPLW) in Newcastle upon Tyne

We are looking for a passionate and motivated Refugee and Asylum Seeker (RAS) Social Prescribing Link Worker to join our well-established, city-wide Social Prescribing team. This is a unique and rewarding role supporting refugee and asylum seeker communities across Newcastle. You will work directly with individuals who may be facing complex challenges, helping them to navigate services, build confidence, and connect with their local communities. Social prescribing is all about understanding what matters to people. In this role, you will take a person-centred, strengths-based approach to support individuals with their social, emotional and practical needs recognising how these impact on health and wellbeing. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in reducing health inequalities and improving access to care for some of the most underserved communities in our city.

Main duties of the job

• Accept referrals and provide tailored support to refugee and asylum seeker patients across Newcastle.
• Work one-to-one with individuals using a person-centred, trauma-informed approach.
• Support people to access services including housing, benefits, healthcare, education and community groups.
• Help individuals navigate UK systems, including primary care and wider support services.
• Build strong relationships with community organisations and partners (e.g. voluntary sector, local authority, refugee support services).
• Maintain and manage a caseload, supporting people over a period of time to achieve their goals.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to data collection and reporting requirements.

About us

Newcastle GP Services (NGPS) is an ambitious and innovative membership organisation, providing support to 27 GP Practices across Newcastle. A small, friendly and professional team based in Gosforth, we deliver a range of services, including GP cover across Urgent Treatment Centres, mobile outreach clinics, managing a primary care staff bank, as well as providing financial and administrative assistance to five of the seven Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in the city. Our mission is to ensure that the voice of Newcastle Primary Care is heard, and that we work on behalf of our members to deliver services at the right scale. We have one of the largest Social Prescribing services in the region, and are committed to tackling health inequalities and supporting people with the wider determinants of health, including isolation, housing, financial wellbeing, and access to community support. Our Refugee and Asylum Seeker Social Prescribing offer is a key part of this work, developed in partnership with local organisations to ensure culturally appropriate, accessible and compassionate support. We are a supportive, forward-thinking team that values collaboration, innovation and staff wellbeing.

Job responsibilities

• Accept referrals from various teams around the city to help support RAS in need for social, practical, and ongoing support.
• Support RAS to access appropriate local services; this requires awareness and knowledge of services/providers, how to refer and direct people toward them.
• Work with RAS in a person-centred way, as well as with other staff across all relevant services and sectors to help facilitate and link the person to the right service for them.
• Make basic need assessments and/or follow up and make sure care plans are fulfilled.
• At times, more detailed needs and/or risk assessments may be required with developments/adjustments to care plans.
• Work independently and as part of a team to support clinicians to provide timely best care and support to RAS.
• Collaborate with partners, organisations, and community groups to help integrate patients into the community.
• The post holder will create and maintain a database of local services to ensure the correct referral pathways are fulfilled.
• Hold and manage a caseload, actively engaging with patients and tracking outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records and timely reporting. This is essential to achieve the outcome measurements set out in the health inequalities grant.
• Deliver health and wellbeing promotion; supporting and enabling healthier behaviours and self-care, taking time to look at all elements of RAS lifestyle (e.g., sleep cycle, diet, social networks), not just the obvious forefronting problems.
• Work to build a close professional relationship with a range of service providers, promoting open communication and effective team working across services that will be integral to the support of the RAS community i.e. WERS, City of Sanctuary etc.
• Apply problem-solving skills to help create solutions with the RAS that work to support them as an individual.
• Set realistic and appropriate goals for length of time supporting patients. Communicate this with patients to set clear boundaries.
• Follow theory and principles of person-centred care, strength-based practice and patient-focused work as well as health and social policy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE Grade C or above or equivalent experience, with evidence of effective numeracy and literacy skills.
• Evidence of a commitment to continuing professional development.
• Counselling qualifications.
• Mental health first aid.
• Social Prescribing Accreditation.
• Adult safeguarding.
• Cultural competency training.

Qualities

• Personable, approachable, and non-judgemental.
• Empathetic, patient, supportive and caring.
• Determined and motivated to support patients' wellbeing.
• Passionate about tackling health inequalities and supporting Newcastle residents.
• Clear and concise in communication with patients.
• Trustworthy, reliable and professional.
• Hardworking and disciplined.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and personal development.
• Self-motivated and confident able to work with minimal direction.

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to communicate with impact.
• Competent in Microsoft office applications, outlook email and ability to effectively use clinical systems, including SystmOne.
• Ability to work flexibly into whichever working location is deemed most appropriate.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to network and build collaborative relationships with other service providers.
• IT and computer literate, including Microsoft office applications.
• Ability to use initiative and judgement.
• Ability to keep accurate and timely records from which commissioners can measure service outcomes.
• A solutions-focused approach to problem solving when it comes to person-centred care.
• Ability to look after your own mental health and wellbeing while dealing with complex patients and ask for help and support from your line manager when you need it.
• Advanced SystmOne/clinical system skills.

Experience

• Experience of working with a range of service users from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience of delivering support in a person-centred way to service users by asking 'what matters most' to them.
• Experience of successful communication with service users to deliver clear messages and support.
• Experience of handling confidential information and an up-to-date knowledge of Data Protection legislation.
• Experience of working independently and self-managing a complex caseload, while also being able to work well within a team.
• Experience of networking with other service providers and sharing knowledge and skills city wide.
• Previous experience in Social Prescribing or health/social care services.
• Experience working in social prescribing, health, or social care.
• Previous experience working with vulnerable adults.
• Experience supporting refugee and asylum seeker communities.

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.