Job Description

Overview

The Social Prescriber Link Worker will play a key role in supporting patients across the North Wilts Border PCN by addressing the wider social determinants of health and promoting holistic, person-centred wellbeing. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post-holder will help individuals experiencing social isolation, housing or financial insecurity, loneliness, low-level mental health challenges, and other non-medical factors that impact their health.

A central focus of the role is connecting people with appropriate community, voluntary, and statutory support--strengthening community links, reducing health inequalities, and enabling individuals to build confidence, resilience, and social networks. The Link Worker will provide short-term, structured support, including help during care transitions, carer support, and coordination between primary care, social care, community services, and secondary care teams to ensure safe, smooth, and person-centred continuity of care.

Acting as a single point of contact, the post-holder will manage a varied caseload, offering practical guidance, motivational support, and advocacy to help people access the right services at the right time. They will work collaboratively to identify underlying social issues contributing to poor health or frequent service use, empower individuals to take an active role in their wellbeing, and contribute to the development of a well-connected, inclusive community support network.

Primary Responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the role. There may be on occasion a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

Develop and maintain a directory of local services, including charities, community/voluntary sector organizations, and private providers Provide long-term, person-centred support to address wider social determinants of health, such as housing insecurity, social isolation, financial difficulties, and employment challenges. Deliver projects aimed at reducing health inequalities and addressing wider determinants of health. Organize and participate in wellbeing fairs to promote community connection and showcase local support groups Connect individuals to mental health support, including Talking Therapies, adult community mental health services, and wellbeing initiatives. Conduct Serious Mental Illness (SMI) reviews through assessment clinics, liaising with GPs and mental health teams, and ensuring continuity of care Encourage social engagement by linking individuals to community groups, activities, and volunteering opportunities Collaborate with councils and community partners to strengthen networks, develop new groups, and enhance existing community support structures. Support frequent service users by identifying and addressing underlying social factors contributing to repeated attendance Provide low-level mental health support through Talking Therapies and social group participation. Conduct Learning Disability reviews, coordinating assessments and ensuring appropriate follow-up care. Manage a caseload of patients, acting as a single point of contact across primary care, community care, secondary care, and care home settings. Oversee and manage tasks related to local wellbeing teams (LWT).

Secondary Responsibilities

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Social Prescriber may be requested to:

Support patients in accessing benefits, training, and employment opportunities where appropriate. Help patients manage their health by responding to queries and ensuring access to clear, quality information about their care. Coordinate appointments and encourage the uptake of vaccinations among eligible groups. Focus on personalised, culturally sensitive support, particularly for patients from diverse backgrounds or those with disabilities or long-term conditions. Navigate and coordinate care across health and care systems, ensuring timely referrals and seamless transitions between services. Facilitate and monitor referrals to both clinical and non-clinical services, collaborating with healthcare teams and external partners. Empower patients to take an active role in managing their health and wellbeing. Liaise with Adult Social Care when needed to raise safeguarding concerns or request care assessments. Contribute to tackling health inequalities through targeted work with identified population groups. Uphold relevant policies and procedures, including safeguarding, confidentiality, lone working, information governance, health and safety, and equality, diversity, and inclusion. Support the PCN audit programme and undertake audits as required. Provide guidance and support to junior team members. Participate in local initiatives and projects to enhance service delivery and patient care. Contribute to shared learning across the practice. Participate in PCN projects as directed by the PCN manager. Take personal responsibility for learning and development, maintaining competency and achieving targets set in the Personal Development Plan (PDP).

Qualifications

NVQ Level 3/4 in Health & Social Care or equivalent Experience working within a healthcare or primary care setting with diverse or vulnerable groups Problem-solving and decision-making ability, with confidence managing a varied caseload independently and in a team Excellent skills in motivational interviewing and mentoring to motivate clients toward positive change. Ability to handle sensitive situations involving children, vulnerable adults or complex mental health challenges with professionalism and compassion. Effective communication skills for collaborating with diverse stakeholders including healthcare professionals, social service agencies, and community organizations. Empathy, cultural competence, and resilience, with respect for diverse backgrounds and the ability to work under pressure.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 14.10-15.10 per hour

Benefits:

Bereavement leave Company pension Free flu jabs Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Sick pay Store discount
Work Location: In person