Job Description

Social Prescribing Link Worker

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced Social Prescribing Link Worker to join our large and friendly multidisciplinary team in fantastic purpose built premises in Garstang. We pride ourselves on our collaborative and supportive working environment in which all staff are valued.

1 full working day a week. Wage dependant on experience.

Applications without a covering letter will not be shortlisted

Key responsibilities

Take referrals from the Practice and from a wide range of agencies, including pharmacies, health and care multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs), the emergency services, legal and welfare advice services, VCSE organisations, and through self-referrals (list not exhaustive). Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to access community-based activities and support that can help them to take control of their health and wellbeing through co-producing a simple personalised care and support plan and introducing people to appropriate activities, groups and services as described above. Work with appropriate supervision as part of the Practice to manage and prioritise your own caseload, in accordance with needs, priorities and support required by individuals. Refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, as appropriate or necessary. Educate non-clinical and clinical staff within Practice MDTs on the community support offer, how and when patients can access it, and the value of non-medical community-based interventions. Provide referral agencies with regular updates about social prescribing, including training for their staff and how to access information to encourage appropriate referrals.

Provide personalised support

Meet people on a one-to-one basis, making home visits and visits to community organisation where appropriate and within organisations policies and procedures. Use appropriate judgement to ascertain the number and length of sessions required, responding to the needs of the individual and their circumstances, for approximately 6-12 contacts over 3 months. Give people time to tell their stories and focus on the question, what matters to me? Build trust and respect with the person, providing non-judgemental and non-discriminatory support, taking a strength-based approach that focuses on a persons assets. Help people identify the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, being unemployed, loneliness and caring responsibilities. Work with individuals to co-produce a simple personalised support plan to address the persons health and wellbeing needs based on the persons priorities, interests, values, cultural and religious/faith needs and motivations Physically introduce people to appropriate community groups and activities, peer support groups, or statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable, feel valued and respected. Provide follow up support to the person to ensure they are happy, able to engage, feel included and that they are receiving good support.

Person Specification

Experience working as a Social Prescribing Link Worker for at least one year. Ability to actively listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way Able to provide a culturally sensitive service, by supporting people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from diverse communities Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential, adapting to individual levels of activation and health literacy Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders, adapting communication styles accordingly Can demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and ability to work well under pressure Experience of data collection and using tools to measure the impact of services Knowledge of, and ability to work to, policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety Have awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when the persons needs are beyond the scope of the role for example, when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports Meets DBS reference standards and criminal record checks Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work demands Access to transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own homes and support people to attend activities as appropriate.

Qualifications Essential

NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 14.06-15.43 per hour

Expected hours: 8 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Free flu jabs Free parking On-site parking
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 06/10/2025