Based in Central Cornwall, 50% of the role the WorkWell Coach will support people with disabilities and health conditions to start, stay, and succeed in work. This is a non-clinical role, embedded within the PCN Social Prescribing team, providing early intervention, personalised coaching, and practical support to address barriers to employment. 50% of the role will be to forge partnership working with healthcare professionals, employers, community organisations, and wider support services. Design and deliver a fit note education programme to delivered to all PCNs across Cornwall.
Evidence shows that good work is beneficial to an individuals health and wellbeing and protects against social exclusion through the provision of income, social interaction, a core role, identity and purpose. Good-quality work is a key determinant of health, and prolonged absence from work can lead to a deterioration in health. The longer an employees sickness absence lasts, the less likely they return to work at all, and once an individual falls out of work due to ill-health, they are likely to become inactive for a long duration. In supporting participants with disabilities and health conditions to start, stay or succeed in work, the WorkWell Coach should have a good understanding of the relationship between health and work as a foundation to further training.
It should be noted that the examples of work and health training given below were designed for healthcare professionals. While many of these training opportunities do have a broader applicability and are accessible for non-healthcare professionals, pilot sites may wish to bear this point in mind when developing their training plans.