Lead Social Prescribing Link Worker in Coventry

The Lead Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW) will provide day-to-day leadership for the PCNs Social Prescribing team, supporting and developing colleagues to deliver an efficient, person-centred service and a core component of emerging Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs). Working closely with the PCN Manager, the post holder will help ensure the service runs smoothly, aligns with local priorities, and supports people's wellbeing.

Main duties of the job include team leadership, complex casework and service development. It also involves supporting safe and consistent ways of working, contributing to quality improvement, and acting as a senior point of contact for safeguarding or complex situations. The lead SPLW will build strong partnerships across primary care, local statutory services, community organisations and the VCSE sector to improve people's access to the support they need.

About us: Primary Care Networks (PCNs) were established in July 2019 as part of the NHS Long Term Plan to improve the quality and accessibility of care by encouraging collaboration among various health care services and community organisations. One of 7 PCNs in Coventry, we are a collaboration of ten GP practices in the East of Coventry with 86,000 registered patients. Our purpose, values and vision underpin our beliefs on the necessities of a healthcare service, and what we aim to achieve, both now and in the future.

Job responsibilities:

• Leadership and Management: Provide day-to-day leadership, line management and supervision to SPLWs across the PCN. Help support a psychologically safe, supportive and inclusive working environment that promotes wellbeing, professional development and reflective practice. Support recruitment, induction, training and retention of Social Prescribing staff. Develop clear role expectations, caseload management frameworks and consistent ways of working across the team. Act as a senior point of contact for complex case discussions, safeguarding concerns and escalation.
• Service Development and Quality Improvement: Work in conjunction with the PCN Manager to lead the ongoing development of the Social Prescribing service in line with PCN priorities, the NHS Long Term Plan and local population health needs. Collaborate with the PCN Manager to plan, implement and monitor quality improvement initiatives, ensuring robust governance and reporting arrangements. Ensure services are equitable, accessible and responsive to people experiencing health inequalities. Co-develop and implement standard operating procedures, pathways and outcome measures with the PCN Manager and relevant stakeholders. Contribute to audits, service evaluations and performance reporting, supporting the PCN Manager to demonstrate impact and value. Use insight, feedback and data to inform continuous improvement and service redesign.
• Advanced Social Prescribing Practice: Hold a reduced caseload of complex individuals requiring advanced intervention, co-ordination or multi-agency input. Undertake holistic, person-centred assessments using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach. Support individuals to identify goals, improve wellbeing and access appropriate community, statutory and VCSE support. Model best practice and mentor staff in advanced engagement and behaviour change approaches.
• Partnership and System Working: Build and maintain strong relationships with GP practices, VCSE organisations, local authorities and other integrated neighbourhood team partners. Represent Sowe Valley PCN Social Prescribing at internal and external meetings, forums and networks. Support the development of sustainable community assets and referral pathways. Work collaboratively with PCN colleagues from other teams and within practices (e.g. Care Coordinators, Paramedics, FPCs, Mental Health Practitioners) to support integrated care.
• Safeguarding, Governance and Risk: Act as a safeguarding link between the PCN Social Prescribing team and GP practices, ensuring compliance with local and national safeguarding policies. Ensure accurate, timely and confidential record keeping in line with information governance requirements. Promote duty of candour, professional boundaries and ethical practice. Identify risks within the service, escalating appropriately.
• Training, Supervision and Workforce Development: Provide regular supervision, appraisal and development planning for SPLWs. Identify training needs and support continuous professional development. Facilitate peer learning, reflective practice sessions and team meetings. Support students, trainees or volunteers where applicable.

ALL POST HOLDERS ARE REQUIRED TO adhere to PCN policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc. Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training. Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training. Take part in an annual appraisal. Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018. Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Infection Control policies and procedures. Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations. Perform general administrative duties such as locating of clinical files and working with the administrative team as required. Document in patient notes in the agreed PCN format. Report untoward incidents such as complaints, clinical emergencies or injury to senior staff. Strive to maintain quality within the PCN, and alert other team members to issues of quality and risk, assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision. Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the team’s performance. Work effectively with individuals in other services and organisations to meet patients' needs. Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and may be updated to reflect evolving service needs, following consultation with the post holder. All duties are to be carried out in accordance with Sowe Valley PCN policies, procedures and guidelines. Routine operational changes do not require amendment.

UNDERPINNING POLICIES: The post holder is expected to maintain confidentiality, uphold equality and diversity, and comply with safeguarding, health and safety and risk management requirements at all times. They should take part in personal and professional development, contribute to quality improvement, and communicate effectively with colleagues, other organisations and services, and the people they support, in line with PCN standards and legal obligations. The role also requires accurate and secure record keeping in accordance with the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act and other relevant legislation.