Job Summary
The social prescriber link worker (SPLW) works alongside a team within general practice and within the Primary Care Network (PCN) and empowers people to take control of their health and well-being.
A referral to a non-medical 'link worker' is designed to support patients in being able to take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
The post holder will be an integral part of the general practice team, working in each practice and across the PCN, as well as part of a wider community groups and their multidisciplinary teams. You will be joining four existing Social Prescriber Link Workers and you will work closely within this team.
Hatfield PCN has a very strong personalised care team with a very successful track record in supporting patients - and the social prescribers work closely with other members of this team including a Health & Wellbeing Coach and mental health workers.
A SPLW supports existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and helps people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.
Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience whilst reducing 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.
This role can be particularly beneficial to patients with long-term conditions, those with mental health issues and those who are lonely or isolated or who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing
Primary responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the SPLW. There may be. on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:
a. To take referrals from GP practices within primary care networks
b. To provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes
c. To develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on 'what matters to me'
d. To manage and prioritise your own caseload in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload
e. To have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals or agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of this SPLW role
f. To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a patient facing role using expert knowledge within the SPLW areas and to promote social prescribing and its role in self-management
g. To build relationships with key staff in GP practices within the local PCN, attending relevant meetings, becoming part of the wider network team, giving information and feedback on social prescribing
h. To ensure that social prescribing referral codes are inputted to clinical systems and that the person's use of the NHS can be tracked, adhering to data protection legislation and data sharing agreements
i. To liaise with the practices and, where practicable, to standardise the social prescribing process across the PCN
j. To work in partnership with all local agencies to raise awareness of social prescribing and how partnership working can reduce pressure on statutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic approach to care
k. To be proactive in encouraging self-referrals and connecting with all local communities
l. To meet people on a one-to-one basis, making home visits where appropriate within organisations' policies and procedures giving people time to tell their stories and focus on 'what matters to me' and building trust with the person, providing non-judgemental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices.
m. To be a friendly source of information about wellbeing and prevention approaches
n. To help people identify the wider issues that impact on their health and well-being such as debt, poor housing, being unemployed, loneliness and caring responsibilities
o. To help people maintain or regain independence through living skills, adaptations, enablement approaches and simple safeguards
p. To work with individuals to co-produce a simple personalised support plan
q. Where people may be eligible for a personal health budget, to help them to explore this option as a way of providing funded, personalised support to be independent, including helping people to gain skills for meaningful employment, where appropriate
r. To forge strong links with local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, community and neighbourhood level groups
s. To manage a caseload of potentially complex patients and to provide advice for the GP management on the more complex patients
t. To actively signpost patients to the correct healthcare professional
u. To provide targeted support and proactive reviews for vulnerable, complex patients and those at risk of admission and re-admission to secondary care
v. To undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
Secondary responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Social Prescribing Link Worker may be requested to:
a. Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner.
b. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential:
NVQ Level 3
Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development
Desirable
NVQ level 4 or Certificate of Higher Education
Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work)
Experience of working with the VCSE sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity), including with volunteers and small community groups
Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations
Desirable
Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity
Experience of data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services
Skills
Essential
Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities
Knowledge of community development approaches
Clear, polite telephone manner
Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports
Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills
Ability to work as a team member and autonomously. Additionally, the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines
Desirable
Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality
Knowledge of the personalised care approach
Personal qualities
Essential
Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person centred support in a non-judgemental way
Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities
Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
Ability to use own initiative, discretion and sensitivity
Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people at all levels by telephone, email and face to face
Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
High levels of integrity and loyalty
Polite and confident
Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets
Able to provide leadership and to finish work tasks
Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies (including VCSE organisations and community groups). Able to work with others to reduce hierarchies and find creative solutions to community issues
Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and works well under pressure
Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines
High level of written and oral communication skills
Understanding of the needs of small volunteer-led community groups and ability to support their development
Knowledge of and ability to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety
Other essential requirements
Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work demands
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own home
Appointment to this position is subject to satisfactory references.
All staff at the Hatfield PCN have a duty to conform to the following:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
A good attitude and positive action towards ED&I creates an environment where all individuals are able to achieve their full potential. Creating such an environment is important for three reasons – it improves operational effectiveness, it is morally the right thing to do and it is required by law.
Patients and their families have the right to be treated fairly and be routinely involved in decisions about their treatment and care. They can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Patients have a responsibility to treat other patients and our staff with dignity and respect.
Staff have the right to be treated fairly in recruitment and career progression. Staff can expect to work in an environment where diversity is valued and equality of opportunity is promoted. Staff will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they treat our patients and their colleagues with dignity and respect.
Confidentiality
The PCN and associated practices are committed to maintaining an outstanding confidential service. Patients entrust and permit us to collect and retain sensitive information relating to their health and other matters pertaining to their care. They do so in confidence and have a right to expect all staff will respect their privacy and maintain confidentiality at all times.
It is essential that, if the legal requirements are to be met and the trust of our patients is to be retained, all staff protect patient information and provide a confidential service.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £30,000.00-£34,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Sick pay
Experience:
* Health and Social Care: 2 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
* Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 29/08/2025