Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW) to join our Sickle Cell Service in CNWL NHS Foundation Trust.



In your role as a SPLW, you will work as a key part of our integrated, personalised and multidisciplinary sickle cell service, which will include a Specialist Social Worker and Clinical Psychologist and others to meet the bio-psycho-social needs of service users with sickle cell disorder (SCD) across the two sites in central and west London.



The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.



Your main role will be to support service users with SCD in our local community to take control of their health and wellbeing by:



providing 'end-to-end' care and support which would see partners from across employment, housing, health and education - to name a few - work together to meet the bio-psych-social needs of service users with SCD.



Tackling and eliminating the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing people's active involvement with their local communities.



Engaging service users with SCD, strengthening community and personal resilience



Reducing health inequalities (in relation to timely access to, experience with and outcomes from care and support for service users with SCD to support to support wellness and welfare)



Promoting and raising awareness SCD within the social and health sector in and outside the NHS system.



We are passionate about delivering first-class service users-centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the service users own home. Service users are at the heart of everything we do. Providing top quality social work support depends on our ability to employ the best people. Were always looking to recruit outstanding social workers who will go the extra mile to support our service users, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, therapies, community services, health and Justice, eating disorders, perinatal & learning disabilities.



CNWL values the input and expertise that Social Workers bring to our specialist services across the Trust. This role will involve developing and implementing a vision for social work where we enhance the wellbeing of others and improve quality of life using a variety of approaches.



Job responsibilities



To work with service users with SCD in the community, in their own homes or in GP surgeries, to signpost them to local services/organisations which the service users themselves feels would be of benefit to reach their goals. These services may include befriending, employment support, housing support, mental health support, smoking cessation, local social groups, leisure centres and volunteering.



To work with partner organisations to support the development and delivery of an integrated care plan for the client so all their needs are met in a holistic way.



To follow up with service users, update their records and support them on an ongoing basis.



To make and maintain contact with local health social care, housing and wellbeing service providers and build a network and knowledge of referral routes to and from service providers.



To ensure information about providers and voluntary groups is shared locally across neighbouring networks.



To undertake regular training to extend and update knowledge of SCD, health inequalities, mental health and social and wellbeing issues.



Supporting service users with SCD with issues around benefits, finances, housing, employment/volunteering, training, education, reducing social isolation and promoting independence, general wellbeing, mental health support or any other non-clinical issues.



Engaging with service users with SCD in a person-centred way, understanding any issues or challenges they may be facing, advising of different options and choices available to them, linking them up to the appropriate support, by signposting and referring to local organisations to resolve any issues or generally improve their general wellbeing by reducing isolation and promoting independence.



Working with service users with SCD until they are engaging with the right support, offering follow ups, and promoting our SPLW service, reassuring service users with SCD they can return for future support at any time, always empowering people so they have the tools and knowledge to access services for support in the future.



Teamwork, flexibility, enthusiasm and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively are essential skills.