Job Description

Job Purpose/Summary

Social prescribing is a way of engaging patients in primary care with a resource which provides support within the local community. In addition it provides GPs with a non-medical referral option that can align to existing treatments to improve health and wellbeing. People want to be able to access information and support in a setting that is convenient and familiar to them, delivered by people they trust. The Social Prescribing Link Worker will offer support in a clinic environment based within general practice as well as at various locations within the community including the patient's home. The role will provide information and support to patients in addition to becoming the link between the patient, GP and other service providers. The role will require managing and prioritising your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Receiving and actioning referrals from a wide range of agencies, working with GP practices within primary care networks (PCNs), pharmacies, multi-disciplinary teams, hospital discharge teams, allied health professionals, fire service, police, job centres, social care services, housing associations, and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. (List not exhaustive).

2. Providing personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to enable them to take control of their well-being, live independently and improve their health outcomes.

3. Develop trusting relationships by giving people time to focus on what matters to them. Taking an holistic approach, based on the person's priorities and the wider determinants of health.

4. To co-produce a personalised support plan to improve health and wellbeing, to introduce or reconnect people to community groups and statutory services. It is vital that the Social Prescribing Link Worker has a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals or agencies.

5. To increase the strengths and capacities of local communities, and enable local VCSE organisations and community groups to receive social prescribing referrals. Ensure they are supported, have basic safeguarding processes for vulnerable individuals and can provide opportunities for the person to develop friendships, a sense of belonging, and build knowledge, skills and confidence.

6. Work together with all local partners to collectively ensure that local VCSE organisations and community groups are sustainable and that community assets are nurtured, by making them aware of small grants or micro-commissioning if available, including providing support to set up new community groups and services, where gaps are identified in local provision.

7. Build a robust knowledge of health, social and third sector provision available across the Nuneaton and Bedworth locality and surrounding areas.

8. Act as an advocate for patients and service users of the health and social care system.

9. Build relationships with key staff in GP practices within the local Primary Care Network (PCN). Attend relevant meetings and integrate as part of the wider network team, providing information and feedback on social prescribing matters.

10. Work in partnership with all local agencies to raise awareness of social prescribing and demonstrate how partnership working can reduce pressure on statutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic approach to care.

11. To support with the requirements as outlined in the PCN DES.

Personalised Care and Support

1. Build relationships with patients, their families and carers and carry out regular telephone consultations and reviews within the GP practice or community setting.

2. Meet people on a one-to-one basis, undertaking home visits where appropriate within organisations' policies and procedures. Give people time to tell their stories and focus on 'what matters to me'.

3. Build trust with the person, providing non-judgmental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices. Work from a strength-based approach focusing on a person's assets.

4. Be a friendly source of information about wellbeing and prevention approaches.

5. Help people identify the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, being unemployed, loneliness and caring.

6. Communicate effectively with patients, families and carers recognising the need for alternative communication methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.

7. Help people maintain or regain independence through living skills, adaptations, enablement approaches and simple safeguards.

8. Work with individuals to co-produce a simple personalised support plan; based on the person's priorities, interests, values and motivations, including what they can expect from the groups, activities and services they are being connected to and what the person can do for themselves to improve their health and wellbeing.

9. Where appropriate, physically introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable. Provide follow-up to ensure that they are happy, engaged, included and receiving good support.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 31,150.45 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount On-site parking
Education:

GCSE or equivalent (required)
Experience:

Health Care: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person