Social Prescribing Link Worker

We have a rewarding opportunity for a Social Prescribing Link Worker to focus on ‘what matters to me’ and take a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. If you feel you could connect to people, community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support, we would love to hear from you!

Position: Social Prescribing Link Worker

Location: Birmingham & North Solihull based in GP Surgeries

Hours: Full time or part-time hours

Contract: Variety of contracts available

Salary: £27,619 per annum pro rata for part-time

Benefits: The provision of workplace wellbeing support and activities, hybrid working where the role allows, flexible working and a range of family friendly policies.

Closing Date: Midnight on Sunday 31st May

Interview Date: Rolling interviews, so apply early.

The Role

Social prescribing link workers will work as a key part of the primary care network (PCN) multi-disciplinary team. Social prescribing can help PCNs to strengthen community and personal resilience and reduce health and wellbeing inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing people’s active involvement with their local communities. It particularly works for people with long term conditions (including support for mental health), for people who are lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

Responsibilities include:

• Working with direct supervision from the Programme Lead/Senior Link Worker and input from the PCN’s Clinical Lead GP, take referrals from staff in GP practices within the local PCN.
• Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes, as a key member of the PCN multi-disciplinary team.
• Developing trusting relationships and taking a holistic approach, based on the person’s priorities and co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services.
• Work collaboratively with all local partners to contribute towards supporting local community groups and organisations, making themselves aware of local resources and “assets” through mapping and then building a relationship with these organisations.
• Sharing intelligence regarding any gaps or problems identified in local provision with commissioners and local authorities.
• Work collaboratively with GPs and have a role in promoting social prescribing and educating non-clinical and clinical staff within their PCN multi-disciplinary teams on the benefits of social prescribing.
• Raise awareness of other services available within the community and how and when patients can access them.
• Linking into the work of Neighbourhood Network Schemes, locality Adult Social Care & Community Mental Health Teams.

About You

As a Social Prescribing Link Worker, you will have a Level 3 qualification in a relevant field (Health & Social Care, Health Trainer, Health Improvement, Community Family Worker, Psychology) or be working towards/willing to work towards. You will have:

• Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
• Experience of working directly in a community based context (including unpaid work).
• Experience of supporting people with a mental health need and/or complexities/vulnerabilities.
• Experience of delivering one to one support.
• Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.
• Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality.
• Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities, individuals, their families and carers.
• Understanding of the barriers faced by those living in isolation.
• Knowledge of IT systems including ability to use word processing skills, emails, the internet and able to create simple plans and reports.
• Ability to complete paperwork, keep records and carry out own administration.

An interview is guaranteed to suitably qualified and experienced people with disabilities and all successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

About the Organisation

A leading provider of services to the health and social care sector, with the aim to reduce inequalities in learning, employment and health. As an employer, the organisation is proud to offer a range of benefits to staff including provision of workplace wellbeing support and activities, flexible working and a range of family friendly policies and subsidised parking.