Social Prescribing Link Worker
Job Summary
Support the Proactive Care Team in delivering excellent care by actively helping patients take control of their own health and well‑being. Work with referrals from the practice and wider partners, providing personalised support and co‑producing care plans to connect individuals with community and statutory services.
Responsibilities
* Take referrals from the practice and PCN partners for individuals who would benefit from social prescribing support.
* Provide personalised support to patients, their families and carers, helping them take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve access to services.
* Co‑produce Personalised Care and Support Plans; introduce or reconnect people to suitable community groups and statutory services.
* Help people identify wider issues affecting their health such as debt, poor housing, unemployment, loneliness and caring responsibilities.
* Support people to maintain or regain independence through living skills, adaptations, enablement approaches and safeguards.
* Physically introduce people to culturally appropriate community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they feel comfortable, valued and respected.
* Assist eligible patients to explore personal health budgets where appropriate.
* Work closely with Care Coordinators, Health & Wellbeing Coaches, GPs and the wider clinical team to provide holistic, joined‑up support.
* Seek advice and support from GP supervisors and other suitable professionals for concerns such as abuse, domestic violence and mental health.
* Promote social prescribing and proactive care services internally and externally.
* Develop strong links with local health agencies, the voluntary and community sector, and collaborate on projects addressing local health inequalities.
* Develop and maintain targeted health and wellness campaigns, including national and local priorities.
* Educate clinical and non‑clinical staff about available community services and how patients can access them.
* Encourage people who have been connected to community support to volunteer and build confidence and community resilience.
* Produce case studies, maintain records of activity and provide performance data to support reporting and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
* NVQ Level 3 or equivalent; or working towards a Level 3 qualification.
* Evidence of continuing professional development.
* Training in motivational coaching and interviewing is desirable.
Person Specification
* Proactive, positive, "can do" attitude.
* Ability to understand and prioritise patients' needs.
* Comfortable working in a team and acting as a strong role model.
* Demonstrates principles of equality, inclusion and non‑judgemental support.
* Listens, empathises and provides person‑centred support.
* Works with people from all backgrounds, respecting lifestyles and diversity.
* Builds trust, inspires confidence and motivates others to reach potential.
* Willing to work across all Holderness Health sites.
* Flexible to hours of work including holiday cover and ready to handle homework as required.
* Alignment with the values of Holderness Health.
* Experience of community development, adult health, social care, learning support or public health.
* Experience supporting patients, families and carers in a professional capacity.
* Experience working with voluntary, community or social enterprise sector and volunteers.
* Experience in data collection and providing monitoring information to assess service impact.
* Strong partnership working skills and ability to build relationships across organisations.
* Knowledge of personalised care approach and community development approaches.
* Understanding of wider determinants of health—including social, economic and environmental factors.
* Ability to prioritise and manage own workload.
* Proficiency in IT systems, Microsoft Office and in‑house software.
* Ability to identify, assess and manage risk when working with individuals.
* Effective communication skills, verbal and written, for all audiences.
* Experience working in a healthcare setting, especially general practice, is desirable.
* Knowledge of EMIS clinical system and VCSE services within Holderness is desirable.
* Experience supporting people with mental health issues is desirable.
Benefits
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, NHS pension scheme and the opportunity to be part of a proactive and growing team focused on complex and vulnerable patients.
Contact
Social Prescribing Team Leader
Tim Monaghan
tim.monaghan@nhs.net
#J-18808-Ljbffr