Job Description

Title: Primary Care Network (PCN) Social Prescriber

Location: Greater Derby Primary Care Network (PCN)

Salary: 24,214 to 29,000 WTE

Reporting to: PCN Board/PCN Clinical Director

Background to the Role

PCNs were formed as part of the NHS long-term plan. PCNs are developing to bring together general practice in geographical networks covering populations of approximately 30-110,000 patients.

Core objectives of each PCN are:

To help recruit and retain staff, to remove pressure from existing and individual general practice units and to help with practice finances To move towards integrating the wider health and social care system To secure new 'additionality roles' funding from NHSE to recruit clinical pharmacists, social prescribers, physiotherapists and other allied health care professionals To focus on service delivery. This to include improving patient access, extending the scope of services available to patients and working with other health and social care providers to ensure best use of available resources To deliver a national service specification
PCNs are established by the geographical group of GP Practices signing up to the NHSE Network Contract Direct Enhanced Service. PCNs are however not required to be a formal body/legal entity. The Greater Derby PCN have decided at this juncture not to form a legal entity and therefore the PCN staff will be employed by Alexin Healthcare CIC Limited.

Alexin Healthcare CIC Limited is a large and successful GP Federation covering Southern Derbyshire, East & South East Staffordshire who are dedicated to delivering high quality health services to the community, improved patient experience and keeping Primary Care at the forefront of the NHS reforms.

The main purpose of the role being to deliver social prescribing support to the Greater Derby PCN as required by the Greater Derby PCN Board.

Key working relationships

GP Practices within the PCN Practice Leaders (Partners and Practice Managers) Intergrated Care Board (ICB) and NHSE Primary Healthcare Derby (PHD)

Responsibilities underpinning the role

To play a role in the delivery of high quality primary health care services Provide support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes, as a key member of the PCN multi-disciplinary team. Working under supervision of the core network member practices i.e. the GPs, practice managers and PCN management, take referrals from the network practices. 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, keeping a Directory of Service updated. Refer people and/or introduce them to appropriate organisations in Derby and nationally (where appropriate) e.g. voluntary, statutory (local authority) and local NHS organisations. To represent the PCN in cross organisation meetings when agreed e.g. locality meetings Proactively identify and arrange locality-based wellbeing events to improve the general health of patients in the Network.

Role Delivery Specifics

1. Person-Centred Support

Conduct holistic assessments with individuals referred by primary care professionals (e.g., GPs, nurses, mental health practitioners). Co-produce personalised action plans based on what matters to the individual, identifying their strengths, interests, and support needs. Offer motivational interviewing and active listening to build trust and enable positive behaviour change.

2. Navigation and Signposting

Identify suitable community groups, services, or activities (e.g., physical activity groups, volunteering, debt advice, befriending). Provide accurate and timely signposting and referrals. Where appropriate, accompany individuals to their first community sessions to build confidence.

3. Collaboration and Partnership Working

Build strong working relationships with local VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) organisations, statutory services, and other health and care professionals. Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including within primary care networks (PCNs). Contribute to local service mapping and community development efforts.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

Maintain accurate records of interactions and outcomes using appropriate data systems i .e. SystmOne Track progress against agreed goals and review action plans as needed. Contribute to evaluation and reporting on service impact, using qualitative and quantitative data.

5. Safeguarding and Risk Management

Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with local policies. Recognise the limits of the role and refer to appropriate services where specialist support is needed.

6. IM&T

Maintain SystmOne templates to ensure accurate and detailed clinical data is entered into the patient record in a standardised way. To keep records of your work and adhere to confidentiality, information sharing protocols and provide monitoring information as required. Provide comprehensive outcome focused reports detailing the progress of the service To ensure the integrity of the operational systems

7. Training/Education

To train and develop GPs and primary care health teams' knowledge on how to identify patients suitable for social prescribing service referral and to keep the service at the forefront of clinicians' minds by means of being present at MDTs, social media, regular updates, practice meetings etc. Organise PCN events e.g. Educational Events for both staff and patients To undertake regular training to extend and update own knowledge of health and wellbeing issues.

Delivery Setting

Typically based within GP practices, community hubs, or hybrid working environments. May involve home visits and outreach activities depending on the population served.

Person Specification- Social Prescriber

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to A level or Equivalent

Desirable

Health and wellbeing or motivational interviewing qualifications

Experience

Essential

Working in a health and wellbeing or leisure and fitness or public or voluntary sector environment Working in a customer-facing role Delivering lifestyle change/brief interventions

Desirable

Using motivational interviewing techniques Working in a health trainer/advisor role Working with vulnerable people Working in partnership with community organisations Promoting and/or marketing services to other organisations / the public An understanding of the processes and procedures for safeguarding adults and children.

Key Skills and Knowledge

Essential

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 Good one-to-one interviewing skills 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 patients 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 brief interventions, behaviour change, motivational change Knowledge of social prescribing Understanding of health, wellbeing and community services Full driving licence and access to a car

Desirable

Knowledge of General Practice & PCN's Systm One knowledge
If you would like an informal chat about the role, Please contact Malcolm Gallon (Senior Social Prescriber) on 07950 276808

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 26,000.00-29,000.00 per year

Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:

Derby DE1 1FR: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):

Are you available for a face to face interview on Thursday 19th June 2025?
Education:

A-Level or equivalent (preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Derby DE1 1FR

Application deadline: 18/06/2025