Work and Health Coach Fit Note Reform Pilot

WorkWellCornwall is seeking 7 FTE across 2 Primary Care Networks. Full & part time options available with flexible/hybrid working for a 12 months fixed-term (with potential to extend).

Location: Mid-Cornwall PCNs (exact location tbc) - open to secondments, loans & direct employment within pilot PCNs.

Cornwall is one of 4 places chosen to trial new ways of supporting people who need to be signed off work due to ill health. This Government pilot will replace traditional fit notes with personalised Workability Plans - meaningful, strengths-based conversations that focus on what people can do & the support they need to thrive in work.

Each of the 4 regions is asked to trial a different workforce for providing this extra help & support to people. Thanks to the strength of social prescribing and coaching practice in Cornwall, our trial workforce will be primarily made up of work & health coaches, with expert clinical oversight from an occupational therapist.

The Government plans to use pilot learnings to inform national roll-out of reforms next year, with legislative change backed by funding for the workforce that proves most effective in providing people with extra help & support when their health makes work a struggle.

We are looking for skilled, compassionate Work & Health Coaches to join us in trialling these reforms, & put personalised conversations & support at the heart of the fit note process.

Main duties of the job:

As a WorkWell Health Coach within a Primary Care Network, you will:

• Lead workability conversations with patients seeking time off work
• Explore the relationship between health, wellbeing & employment
• Co-produce personalised workability plans, & where appropriate, longer-term support plans
• Provide ongoing coaching & support to help people return to or remain in work
• Work closely with GPs, OTs & other partners
• Help shape & test an innovative new approach as part of a national pilot

You will be at the forefront of delivering a single, holistic conversation that combines assessment, coaching & support - reducing duplication & improving outcomes for patients.

We are looking for people who are:

• Skilled in coaching-style, person-centred conversations
• Passionate about reducing health inequalities & supporting people into work
• Confident working with individuals facing complex barriers
• Able to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Comfortable with innovation, change & learning as we go
• Experience in social prescribing, health coaching, employment support or community roles is highly desirable. Training will also be provided.

About us:

This is a unique opportunity for you to join a high-profile pilot, influence future Government policy, and help shape a new model of supporting people with health and work - all while working in a supportive community of practice and making a real difference to people's lives.

Job responsibilities:

• Workability Assessment and Coaching: Deliver structured workability conversations to assess impact of health on work opportunities for adjustments and support. Develop personalised workability plans focused on functional ability and return-to-work opportunities. Provide holistic coaching support, including action planning and motivational support.
• Triage and Case Management: Undertake or support triage of patients. Identify when cases require no further intervention, coaching support, or escalation to clinical colleagues (e.g. Occupational Therapist). Manage a caseload of participants, ensuring timely follow-up and progression.
• Participant Support and Enablement: Provide person-centered, strengths-based support, focusing on what matters to me. Co-produce workability plans addressing physical, mental and social barriers. Support access to services including health services, community and voluntary sector support, and employment and skills provision.
• Partnership & MDT Working: Work as part of a PCN multi-disciplinary team, including GPs, OTs and social prescribers. Build strong relationships with employers, VCSE organisations, and health and wellbeing services.
• Service Development and Innovation: Support delivery of the Fit Note Reform Pilot service design. Contribute to embedding the work question in primary care and improved fit note/workability processes.
• Data, Reporting and Evaluation: Maintain accurate and timely case records and outcome data. Support monitoring and reporting requirements for the pilot.
• Professional Responsibilities: Work within organisational policies including safeguarding, confidentiality and information governance. Participate in supervision, training and development.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role.
• Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.
• Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement.
• Experience of using coaching approaches/frameworks and models or other helping strategies e.g. Motivational Interviewing.
• Experience of supporting people with their mental health.

Personal Qualities & Attributes:

• Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centered support in a non-judgemental way.
• Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors.
• Knowledge of community development approaches.
• Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
• NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards.
• Coaching/counselling qualification/experience or other relevant qualification/experience involving reflective listening skills.

OTHER:

• Meets DBS reference standards and has a clear criminal record.
• Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work demands.
• Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis.