Social Prescribing Link Worker in Workington

The role will involve coproducing a "Social Prescription" with individuals referred to the service which involves providing personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing; live independently and improve their health outcomes. To take a holistic approach to addressing non-medical/social issues in their life, such as housing, debt or social isolation by introducing or connecting people to community groups, activities or statutory services. The link worker will need to have a comprehensive knowledge of activities available across Workington to support individuals and will support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable. The post holder will also work with key stakeholders to utilise untapped community resources, support the facilitation of self-help groups and other innovative approaches to enable people to better manage their own care.

Main duties of the job include:

• Be proactive across the network of practices to promote the role and service to the multi-disciplinary practice teams to encourage referrals.
• Ensure referrals are responded to in a timely manner, communicating with referrers when necessary.
• Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them.
• Identify and engage effectively in a non-judgemental and respectful manner with members of the community from all backgrounds.
• Conduct an assessment of an individual's circumstances and challenges to determine the nature and extent of their non-clinical needs.
• Co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan to address the patients' health and wellbeing needs.
• Evaluate how far the actions in the care and support plan are meeting the individuals' health and wellbeing needs.
• Use motivational/coaching skills to encourage people in choices and actions that are acceptable and achievable to them.
• Support people to recognise and change their current lifestyle and to identify how their way of life might affect their health and well-being.
• Ensure patients and their families/carers' views are taken into account in every stage of the decision-making process.

Community/Primary Care Network Focus:

• Have an extensive knowledge of and develop strong links with local VCSE organisations.
• Work collaboratively with all local partners to contribute towards supporting the local VCSE organisations and community groups.
• Be a point of contact between primary care and community groups, ensuring referrals are managed.
• Provide promotion and education to non-clinical and clinical staff within the PCN on services that are available within the community.
• Establish positive working relationships and effective communication with the Workington GP Practices.

Admin & Professional:

• Maintain accurate contemporaneous records on all aspects of the care process and patient contact.
• Participate in data collection for audit purposes and be responsible for monitoring progress against key performance targets.
• Attend and participate in practice clinical meetings and other multi-disciplinary meetings where necessary.

Confidentiality:

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with sensitive information. All such information is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Equality & Diversity:

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues.

Education:

Participate in clinical supervision and be accountable for own professional development.

Health & Safety:

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, you must take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others.

Person Specification:

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
• Min 2 years experience of working with the VCSE sector.
• Min 2 years experience or equivalent proven knowledge of working in a health, social care or community development setting.
• Educated to degree level - Social Prescribing qualification.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge:

• Local knowledge of the voluntary sector and service provision.
• Understanding of the needs of small volunteer-led groups.
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate complex information.
• Ability to juggle competing priorities and complete work to a high standard.

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.

Salary: £27,917.47 to £33,317.06 a year based on FTE, dependant on experience.