At a Glance
- Tasks: Support patients leaving hospital with practical and emotional guidance for a smooth recovery at home.
- Company: Join Southern Brooks Community Partnerships, a compassionate charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a fun, flexible work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant community-focused team with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a direct impact on people's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Empathy, good communication skills, and a passion for helping others are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28088 - 28088 £ per year.
Are you passionate about helping people feel confident, supported and ready to return home from hospital? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, people centred environment where every day brings new conversations, challenges and successes? We're looking for a compassionate and proactive Hospital Link Worker to join our team at Southern Brooks Community Partnerships. This is a rewarding frontline role supporting patients as they prepare to leave hospital, ensuring they have the right information, connections and practical support to continue their recovery safely at home.
What you'll bring
- Is a natural people person, empathetic, patient and a good listener.
- Enjoys team working, with interpersonal skills and who can build strong relationships with hospital teams and community groups.
- Is organised, confident and familiar with managing a busy caseload.
- Can keep clear, accurate records and communicate well in writing and in person.
- Familiar with community-based services within South Glos or knows how to find the services.
- Understands (or is keen to learn about) the social factors that affect health and independence.
- Is flexible, positive, and able to adapt when plans change.
You don't need clinical experience, just the right values and a commitment to helping people live well at home.
Main duties of the job
- Provide person-centred, short-term support to patients, typically one to three meetings.
- Work directly on the hospital wards, giving people time to talk about what matters most to them.
- Identify barriers to recovery (such as mobility, finances, loneliness, housing or confidence) and help patients access the right support.
- Make referrals to community-based services, including teams within Southern Brooks, such as Welcome Home, Social Prescribing, Health & Happiness Hubs, Physical Activity Link Workers.
- Collaborate every day with nursing staff, discharge teams, social workers and community partners.
A day in the life of a Hospital Link Worker
You'll start the day reviewing new referrals you have been allocated, then head onto the hospital wards to meet patients and discuss their discharge needs. You'll listen to what's important to them, identify barriers they may face at home, and agree practical next steps together. This could include arranging a key safe, linking them to community meals, coordinating with family members, or referring them to one of the teams within Southern Brooks for community-based support. Throughout the day, you'll update records, attend multidisciplinary meetings, speak with ward staff and liaise with external agencies. By the end of the day, you'll have helped several people feel more confident, reassured and connected as they prepare to return home.
About us
Southern Brooks are a community anchor charity building connections and providing support to strengthen individuals and communities in South Gloucestershire. We deliver high-quality community development and health and wellbeing services that support individuals and communities, helping people achieve what matters to them.
Why work with us?
- Make a direct and visible impact on peoples lives.
- Join a friendly and supportive team who care about each other and the community.
- Receive ongoing training, development and regular supervision.
- Work in a respected organisation delivering high-quality social prescribing and community support services.
- Be part of a service recognised across the hospital for its compassion and effectiveness.
There will also be opportunities for you to get together with the rest of the Southern Brooks wider team, by helping out at our fun events in the South Gloucestershire communities we serve, or attending our regular whole staff meetings and events. We have annual Summer and Winter get togethers where the focus is on fun and connection and - importantly - switching off from our every-day work!
We will provide you with:
- A salary of £28,088 per year.
- Excellent Annual Leave entitlement - starting at 5 weeks plus bank holidays per year (pro rata).
- A passionate, inclusive, committed and welcoming workplace.
- A flexible, hybrid, casual-dress work environment.
- A paid day off for your birthday!
Job responsibilities
Hospital Link Workers collaborate closely with hospital staff to ensure patients are discharged safely and are connected to appropriate ongoing support. Hospital Link Workers take a person-centred, holistic approach, giving patients time and space to discuss what matters most to them. Through this, Hospital Link Workers help individuals identify and address the factors that affect their overall health and wellbeing. The role focuses on empowering individuals to:
- connect with services support them back at home.
- maintain independence and wellbeing.
- strengthen connections within their community.
This service operates within the Going Home from Hospital service located in the Transfer of Care Hub at Southmead Hospital.
Role overview
- Support safe and effective hospital discharge for patients.
- Provide short-term, person-centred support (typically 1-3 contacts).
- Connect patients to community services and practical support.
- Work collaboratively with hospital, social care, and community teams.
- Promote independence and wellbeing for patients returning home.
Key duties and Responsibilities
Case Management
- Manage a caseload of approximately 20 - 30 patients per month.
- Maintain accurate and timely records in line with procedures.
- Produce monthly case studies to evidence service impact.
- Use internal systems to track and report on patient progress.
- Meet agreed performance targets and project deliverables.
- Provide tailored information and guidance based on patient needs.
- Identify and address barriers to services and support.
- Empower patients to make informed decisions about their support.
- Make onward referrals including practical and community support.
- Build strong relationships with hospital teams and partner agencies.
- Promote the service and highlight gaps in provision.
- Engage in Multidisciplinary meetings to support discharge planning.
- Collaborate with other Southern Brooks teams, in particular Welcome Home.
- Attend meetings, trainings, and contribute to a positive team environment.
Compliance & Professional Standards
- Adhere to safeguarding, health & safety, confidentiality, and equality policies.
- Maintain professionalism adhering to legal and organisational standards.
- Represent Southern Brooks values in all interactions.
- Uphold a high standard of ethical and accountable practice.
Person Specification
Job-related skills
- Ability to build effective partnerships and work in collaboration with colleagues, stakeholders, and partner organisations.
- Ability to organise and manage your own workload, able to work independently and identify priorities.
- Good IT skills, including MS Office, databases or case management systems, and an understanding of general data protection regulations (GDPR).
- Excellent communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Creative, flexible, and solution-focused approach.
Personal Skills & Values
- Passionate and empathetic approach to supporting clients to promote independence and wellbeing.
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Qualifications
- Educated to GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
Experience
- At least 2 years experience supporting people with health and social needs, or in community-based roles that use a person-centred approach.
- Experience of client-focused techniques, including brief interventions, motivational interviewing and active listening.
- Experience of managing varying demands and multiple needs, and coordinating access to appropriate support.
- Experience of working in a hospital or similar setting.
Knowledge and understanding
- Ability to work using a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and person-centred approach.
- Good understanding of risk assessment.
- Ability to work within a target-driven and time-limited environment, dealing with issues pragmatically.
- Understanding and using Safeguarding for adults and children, including recording and reporting in line with organisational policy and procedures.
- Understanding of wider determinants of health and wellbeing, and barriers to services.
Social Prescribing
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.
Social Prescribing Hospital Link Worker in Bristol employer: Southernbrooks Community Partnerships
Southern Brooks Community Partnerships is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities in South Gloucestershire. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer a supportive and inclusive work environment, ongoing training, and opportunities for personal growth, all while fostering meaningful connections with patients and community services. Join our passionate team and enjoy generous annual leave, a flexible work culture, and the chance to participate in fun community events that strengthen our bonds and enhance job satisfaction.
Contact Details:
Southernbrooks Community Partnerships Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Prescribing Hospital Link Worker in Bristol
✨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 Southernbrooks Community Partnerships.
✨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 Southernbrooks Community Partnerships!
✨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 Southernbrooks Community Partnerships, 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 Southernbrooks Community Partnerships 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 Hospital Link Worker in Bristol
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 Southernbrooks Community Partnerships:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southernbrooks Community Partnerships! 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 Southernbrooks Community Partnerships
✨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.
