At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in accessing services and community groups to improve their wellbeing.
- Company: Join One Wight Health, a leader in community health support on the Isle of Wight.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on community engagement and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by connecting them with vital resources.
- Qualifications: Healthcare qualification or relevant experience, strong communication skills, and a full UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 31150 - 31150 £ per year.
We're looking for a full time Social Prescribing Link Worker who will be employed wholly by One Wight Health Ltd and will work within the Islands South Primary Care Network at the Bay Medical Practice (Covering Sandown and Shanklin branches). You will work with individuals to identify their needs, then support them to access other organisations, services or community groups as appropriate. You will be engaging and use your skills to build networks to identify local services that can support patients with underlying issues that may contribute to ill health, such as managing their housing, finances, stress, loneliness or lifestyle choices.
To be successful you must have experience of managing your own caseload, knowledge of the local community, ideally hold a relevant health qualification and have knowledge of advice and advocacy services. You will be customer focused in your approach with the ability to listen to patients' needs as well as develop strong networks and relationships with suitable partners. Full UK Driving licence and use of car is essential.
Main duties of the job
- Take referrals from a wide range of agencies, working with GP practices within primary care networks, pharmacies, multi-disciplinary teams, hospital discharge teams, allied health professionals, fire service, police, job centres, social care services, housing associations, and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.
- Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes.
- Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them.
- Take a holistic approach, based on the person's priorities and the wider determinants of health.
- Co-produce a personalised support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services.
- Manage and prioritise your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload.
- Have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies.
- Work with a diverse range of people and communities, to draw on and increase the strengths and capacities of local communities.
- Work together with all local partners to ensure that local VCSE organisations and community groups are sustainable.
Key Tasks
- Promote social prescribing, its role in self-management, and the wider determinants of health.
- Build relationships with key staff in GP practices within the local Primary Care Network (PCN).
- Be proactive in developing strong links with all local agencies to encourage referrals.
- Work in partnership with all local agencies to raise awareness of social prescribing.
- Provide referral agencies with regular updates about social prescribing.
- Encourage self-referrals and connect with all local communities.
- Meet people on a one-to-one basis, making home visits where appropriate.
- Help people identify the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing.
- Support local groups to act in accordance with information governance policies and procedures.
Person Specification
- Essential: Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Essential: Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Essential: Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality.
- Essential: Holds a recognised healthcare or advisory qualification (or equivalent relevant experience).
- Essential: Good standard of education with excellent literacy and numeracy skills.
- Desirable: Local knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality.
- Desirable: Knowledge of how the NHS works, including primary care.
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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Social Prescribing Link Worker in Sandown employer: One Wight Health Ltd
Argyll House Surgery is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture where you can make a real difference in patient care. With opportunities for professional growth and development, you will thrive in a friendly multi-disciplinary environment that values teamwork and dedication to high standards of care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Prescribing Link Worker in Sandown
✨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 One Wight Health Ltd.
✨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 One Wight Health Ltd!
✨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 One Wight Health Ltd, 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 One Wight Health Ltd 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 in Sandown
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 One Wight Health Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to One Wight Health Ltd! 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 One Wight Health Ltd
✨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.
