Social Prescribing Link Worker in Ipswich

Ivry Street Medical Practice is looking to welcome a social prescribing link worker to join our team on a permanent, full-time basis. Social prescribing link workers will work as a key part of the primary care network (PCN) multi-disciplinary team. Social prescribing can help PCNs to strengthen community and personal resilience, reduce health inequalities and wellbeing inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing people’s active involvement with their local diverse communities. It particularly works for people with long term conditions (including support for mental health), for people who are lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

The main responsibilities of the role include:

• Receiving and managing all referrals from multi-agencies
• Providing personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their health access and outcomes
• Taking a holistic approach, based on the person’s priorities and the wider determinants of health
• Co‑producing a simple personalised care and support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to appropriate community groups and statutory services
• Providing information and advice about a wide range of services in order to promote health and well‑being in order to support independence within communities
• Alongside other members of the PCN multi‑disciplinary team, working collaboratively with all local diverse partners to contribute toward supporting the local VCSE organisations and community groups
• Meeting people on a one‑to‑one basis, making home visits where appropriate within organisations’ policies and procedures

If you are a local community champion or already a social prescriber, and want a new and exciting challenge, then we would love to hear from you. You will need to have the following skills:

• Experience of working within healthcare, the voluntary or community sectors, supporting vulnerable groups
• NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards
• Ability to actively listen, empathise with people and provide personalised support in a non‑judgemental way
• Strong listening and communication skills
• You will be familiar with local resources and services and how to access them
• Motivated by helping people, with care and empathy
• Ability to deliver person‑centred support in a non‑judgemental way
• Experience of completing holistic, person‑centred care‑planning assessments
• Understanding of the needs of small, volunteer‑led community groups and the ability to support their development
• Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies
• Experience and confidence in the delivery of lifestyle change interventions

We are a four partner practice with over 13,500 patients. Alongside our partners we also have a further 4 salaried GPs, advanced nurse practitioner, paramedic, 6 practice nurses and 3 HCAs. We also have regular mental health team support, with a presence on site almost daily and medicine management team. Patient‑centred care is at the heart of our organisation, with one of our key objectives being to provide a high‑quality service to our patients. We have a high QOF achievement. Currently rated 'Good' by the CQC. We use SystmOne for our clinical system, and also utilise various digital platforms such as Accurx to support our processes. We are a popular and friendly practice with a supportive environment.

As an employee, you will receive the following benefits:

• Genuine responsibility from day one
• Work with a strong social purpose
• A permanent employment contract
• A competitive salary
• Membership of the NHS pension
• Support to guide your personal and professional development
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Please note 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.