Job summary
Please apply for this job by completing and submitting our application form, as instructed in the candidate pack (attached to this advert).
Thank you for your interestin this new and unique opportunity. If successful you will be joining aninnovative and well-respected organisation with a track record of making adifference in the lives of those facing the greatest health inequalities in ourcommunities.
We deliver a range ofprojects with a personalised approach to improving health and wellbeing attheir heart (see our website for more details:
ThePersistent Physical Symptoms (PPS) project is jointly funded by the North Eastand North Cumbria Deep End Network and Ways to Wellness, and is beingdelivered in partnership with GP surgeries in the east end ofNewcastle. The project will test an innovative new approach to supportingpeople with a diagnosis of persistent physical symptoms, including (but notlimited to) chronic pain, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome andnon-epileptic seizures. Social prescribing approaches will be used through thepatients journey, seeking to improve the patients wellbeing while alsoimproving engagement with any medical treatment and reducing unnecessaryinteractions with NHS services.
Were are always ambitious tobuild innovative solutions which make a difference to the lives and wellbeingof even more people across the region. This is an excellent opportunity for theright person to play their part in our journey.
Main duties of the job
Jobpurpose/summary
TheTeam Leader will contribute to setting up and establishing this new pilotproject, with a focus on working with and managing a small team of SpecialistLink Workers, delivering targets, and being the first point of contact for thestaff and for project enquiries. The Team leader will report directly to theWays to Wellness Project Lead and liaise with identified staff within theNewcastle Primary Care Networks, including but not limited to practice managers,clinicians and admin staff.
TheTeam leader will be responsible for their own case load, providing support toclients referred into the service by primary care staff, working primarily inthe community and in GP practices. You will proactively develop relationshipswith GPs and GP surgery staff in order to optimise the referral process andensure an excellent service provision. You will also develop relationships withcommunity organisations and statutory services to maintain a directory ofavailable resources.
Excellentcommunication skills and local knowledge will be needed. Willingness toundertake mandatory and role specific training within a specified timescalewill also be essential.
About us
Waysto Wellness prides itselfas being an innovative and well-respectedorganisation with a track record of making a difference in the lives of thosefacing the greatest health inequalities in our communities.
We deliver a range of projects with a personalised approach toimproving health and wellbeing at their heart:
Long TermConditions- our founding project which focuses ondelivering social prescribing at scale through partnerships with GPsurgeries.
MaternalMental Health Services- commissioned by NENCICS to deliver research and prototype projects, in partnership with VCSE sector.
SPACE Pilot-recently extended, this project supports children with neurodisabities andtheir families, in partnership with the Great North Childrens Hospital.
PROSPeR-part of the NENC ICB Waiting Well programme, supporting patients before andafter their hip and knee operations, to improve clinical outcomes.
We are a friendly, supportive and committed team. Ina recent staff survey 100% of staff agreed/strongly agreed that they aresupported, recognised and have the resources they need to do their work well.
Teammorale is consistently high. This is a direct result of the encouragement,freedom, trust, flexibility and support we are given to work and thrive.Everyone treats each other with kindness and respect, even with the teamgrowing in size it feels like we are a much smaller, more intimate team. [WtWemployee, December 2023]
Job description
Job responsibilities
MainDuties
Managea small team of Specialist Social Prescribing Link Workers, providing line managementand 1-to-1 support. Ensuring that both workplace and clinical supervision is inplace.
Contributeto setting of targets and achieving metrics as determined by stakeholder group.
Inductionand training of new team members.
Managea caseload of clients referred into the Persistent Physical Symptoms project.
Reportdirectly to the Project Lead and provide regular updates as agreed.
Workas part of a multi-disciplinary team to develop person centred, community basedpersonalised care and support plans for clients. Help people identify widerissues that impact on their health and wellbeing such as loneliness, self-care,low income, housing and caring responsibilities, and link them to appropriateservices and support.
Promotesocial prescribing, its role in self-management, and the wider determinants ofhealth. Coach colleagues in the principles of social prescribing.
Workindependently in a manner that promotes excellent care and experience, whilerecognising professional and organisational requirements and boundaries.
Beprofessional with clients, colleagues, volunteers and professionals at alltimes.
Havean understanding of the evidence base around self-management support andperson-centred care.
Adoptour quality improvement methodology and seek to continuously improve oursystems for the value of our clients.
Providepersonalised support
Actas an advocate for the client, guiding them through the complex journey with amulti-faceted approach that results in appropriate use of scheduled andunscheduled care services.
Deliversupport face to face, over the phone or online at a location agreed with the clientincluding home visits where appropriate.
Befamiliar and up-to date with the wider offer from local or national health,social care and voluntary sector organisations, as relevant to people.
Whereappropriate, physically introduce people to community groups, activities andstatutory services, ensuring they are comfortable. Follow up to ensure they arehappy, able to engage, included and receiving good support.
Seekadvice and support from senior staff to discuss client-related concerns (safeguarding, medical or medication-related queries, complex mental healthissues), referring the client back to a suitable health professional ifrequired.
Supportcommunity groups and the wider team
Developrobust and active relationships with care teams in primary care and connectwell with other partners. Forge strong links with partner organisations,community and neighbourhood level groups. Contribute to the mapping ofavailable assets.
Recogniseand remedy gaps in provision by sharing intelligence, regarding shortfalls orproblems in local provision, with commissioners and local authorities.
Encourageclients, their families and carers, who have been connected to communitysupport through social prescribing, to volunteer and give their time freely toothers, providing peer support, building their skills and confidence, andstrengthening community resilience.
Demonstrateeffective, professional and respectful communication within the team andorganisation.
Datacapture and clinical governance
Ensureaccurate reporting and data collection for the entire team. Encourageindividuals, families and carers to provide feedback and to share their storiesabout the impact of social prescribing on their lives.
Contributeto the development and implementation of all policies and systems as theyrelate to service delivery, in particular: health and safety, safeguarding,vulnerable adults and lone working.
Proactivelyreview of risks and issues that could impact on individual care and widerservice delivery.
Seekregular feedback about the quality of service and impact of social prescribing.Provide appropriate feedback to clinicians about the people they referred,where required.
Adhereto GDPR and Data Protection requirements at all times.
Producerelevant reports to both Project Lead and others as appropriate.
Professionaldevelopment
Workwith your line manager to undertake continual personal and professionaldevelopment, taking an active part in reviewing and developing the roles andresponsibilities.
Ensureall team members have a Personal Development Plan in place in line with the NHSEngland SPLW workforce development framework and the National Association ofLink Workers Code of Practice.
Undertakerelevant training as required.
Workwith the wider team to share learning, and explore issues, to continuallydevelop the service and enable you to deal effectively with the difficultissues that client groups present.
Thislist is not intended as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. Thepost holder will be asked to carry out other duties which are appropriate tothe skills of the post holder and grade of the post as the priorities of theservice change..
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Training in Social Prescribing, Motivational Coaching and Interviewing, Personalised Care, or equivalent experience.
2. Full driving licence and own transport.
Desirable
3. Training in Information, Advice and Guidance
Skills and Attributes
Essential
4. Excellent communication, interpersonal and listening skills.
5. Skills to listen, influence, negotiate and motivate individuals in relation to health related behaviours.
6. Understanding of how to deliver high quality, personalised support to individuals, their families and their carers in a way that develops trust and helps them to focus on what matters to me. Strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate/necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies.
7. Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities.
8. Knowledge of the personalised care approach.
9. Knowledge of IT systems, particularly Microsoft 365 and GP clinical systems.
10. Knowledge of health and lifestyle issues relating to mental wellbeing and mental health (gained through practical experience and/or a health related qualification).
11. Sound understanding of the challenges faced by those with poor health literacy and the ability to support individuals to develop appropriate skills.
12. Adaptable and flexible approach an interest in/willingness to share learning with other Ways to Wellness projects and team members, as well as external partners.
13. Ability to handle sensitive data with confidentiality.
14. Ability to act upon own initiative, respond to changing situations.
15. Good organisational and time management skills.
16. Knowledge of the community resources available to people living with Long term Conditions.
Experience
Essential
17. Experience of working in link worker role or similar.
Desirable
18. Proven track record of engagement with people on to one basis and/or in groups.
19. Demonstrable excellent knowledge of the local community.
20. Experience of managing teams, undertaking line management, performance management and appraisals.