JOB SUMMARY
This role will support Huntingdon PCN which covers 4 GP Practices and have a patient population of just under 47,000 patients.
Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral or direct access to non-medical 'link workers' who give time, focus on 'what matters to me' and take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Link workers support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.
Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience, personal resilience, and reduces health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing people's active involvement with their local communities. It particularly works for people with long-term conditions (including support for mental health), for people who are lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
1. Take referrals, provide consultations with people (and possibly carers or appointed chaperone) within GP Practices, private addresses, public places and other community settings
2. Assessing patient needs, evaluating risk and providing welfare checks. Providing personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes.
3. Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on 'what matters to me'. Take a holistic approach, based on the person's priorities and the wider determinants of health.
4. Co-produce a personalised support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services.
5. Integrate into and form part of General Practice/Primary Care Network teams to provide the support needed in those communities they serve.
6. Liaise and communicate with Patients, Carers, Advocates, Health and Social Care professionals, voluntary sector and stake-holders involved the wellbeing of your caseload and communities.
7. Be proactive in developing strong links with all local organisations to encourage the growth of the Social Prescriber role with the community and connecting patients with services as appropriate.
8. Build relationships with key staff in the GP practices within the local Primary Care Network (PCN), attending relevant meetings, becoming part of the wider network team, providing caseload reports, case studies and feedback on social prescribing.
9. The role will require managing and prioritising your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload. It is vital that you have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the link worker role – e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner.
10. Accurately recording patient details and your contact with patients on clinical systems. Discussing complex cases and raising safeguarding issues as required whilst maintaining compliance to mandatory and statutory governance, principles and protocols.
11. Attending clinical supervision and peer support networks. Regularly reviewing patient case load and individual patient care plans. Reviewing progress against patient objectives and adjusting as necessary.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: From £25,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
Licence/Certification:
* FULL UK Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person