Social Prescribing Link Worker in Newton Aycliffe

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Social Prescribing Link Worker to join our growing multi-disciplinary team. Teamwork, flexibility, enthusiasm and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively are essential skills.

Sedgefield 1 Primary Care Network is an innovative, dynamic PCN combining 4 local GP Practices based in Sedgefield area, with a population of over 42,000 patients. We are continually seeking new ways to support and improve local healthcare services to our patient population. We are committed to the ongoing development of our team, which includes mandatory and developmental training for all our staff. Team members are encouraged to highlight any training they feel would benefit them in the achievement of their role.

Job Purpose

To support patients in our local community to take control of their health and wellbeing by:

• Promoting prevention & lifestyle changes
• Engaging patients and connecting them with the wide range of groups and services
• Working with the wider health, social care and voluntary network
• Encouraging a holistic approach for patients with chronic diseases
• Building a relationship in the journey of patients towards mental health services
• Bereavement support, supporting patient's families and signposting them to an appropriate bereavement service where necessary
• Supporting the practices in attaining their referral targets
• Promoting and raising awareness of the social prescribing service within the practices and partner agencies

Key Responsibilities

To work with patients in a variety of settings, in their own homes or in GP surgeries, to signpost them to local services/organisations which the patient themselves feels would be of benefit to reach their goals. These services may include befriending, weight management, mental health support, smoking cessation, local social groups, leisure centres and volunteering.

To work with partner organisations to support the development and delivery of an integrated care plan for the client so all their needs are met in a holistic way.

To follow up with clients, update their records and support them on an ongoing basis.

To make and maintain contact with local health and wellbeing service providers and build a network and knowledge of referral routes to and from service providers.

To ensure information about providers and voluntary groups is shared locally across neighbouring networks.

To undertake regular training to extend and update knowledge of health and wellbeing issues.

Further Areas of Responsibility

Health and Safety/Risk Management

The post-holder must comply at all times with the Network Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the organisation’s Incident Reporting System.

Information Governance

As an employee you will have access to information that is sensitive to either an individual or to the organisation and you are reminded that in accordance with the requirements of Information Governance, NHS Code of Confidentiality, Data Protection Act 1998 and also the terms and conditions in your contract of employment, you have a duty to process this information judiciously and lawfully; failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

Performance Appraisal and Personal Development Planning

The network is committed to providing a high quality service through the effective management and development of its employees. Each employee receives an Annual Performance Appraisal and a Personal Development Plan.

Statutory and Mandatory Training

All required Statutory and Mandatory training must be completed within the first three months of staff start date and refresher training must also be undertaken on a regular basis and in accordance with agreed policy.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

The network is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults within its care. As an employee you are accountable to ensure that you know how to respond when you are concerned for the safety of a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

Infection Prevention and Control

All employees are expected to follow consistently high standards in the prevention and control of infection, especially with reference to hand hygiene, adherence to dress/uniform code and for clinical staff and all procedures involving aseptic technique.

Special Working Conditions

The post-holder is required to travel independently between practice sites and to attend meetings at other locations as required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to A level/BTEC or equivalent experience in relevant field
• Health/Social Care Degree

Other

Willingness to travel within network of practices and to visit patients in their own homes.

Experience

• Experience working in health and wellbeing, public or voluntary sector or leisure and fitness environment
• Experience in a customer facing role
• Excellent people skills, interacting with all types of people and able to change communication style to fit the person
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Comfortable working with people from public, private and voluntary organisations
• Highly organised, managing time, resources and competing priorities in a structured and efficient way
• Highly motivated and willing to go out of your way to help clients
• Creative problem solver and willing to search for hard-to-find information
• Good IT and administrative skills
• Good understanding of health issues and the wider determinants of health and wellbeing
• Knowledge of social prescribing
• Understanding of health and social wellbeing and community/local/national services
• Using own initiative
• Experience working in a health trainer/advisor role
• Experience working in partnership with community organisations
• Experience promoting and/or marketing services to other organisations/the public

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.