About this role
Job summary
Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing, focus on what matters to me and take a holistic approach to an individual's health and wellbeing, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
Social prescribing link workers work as a key part of the primary care network (PCN) multidisciplinary team. Social prescribing can help PCNs to strengthen community and personal resilience, reduce health inequalities (in relation to timely access and outcomes) and wellbeing 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.
We welcome applications from people looking for either a full-time or a part-time role. Please specify the number of hours you are interested in working in your application.
Main duties of the job
The Social Prescriber will work as part of the Primary Care Network's multidisciplinary team to support patients with non-medial needs that impact their health and wellbeing.
The role includes undertaking home visits where appropriate, completing wellbeing assessments and developing a personalised support plan. It involves collaborative working with health, social care and voluntary sector organisations as well as carers and families.
About us
You will be working within Gordano Valley PCN, a network of four local GP surgeries: Clevedon Medical Centre in Clevedon, Harbourside Family Practice in Portishead, Heywood Family Practice in Pill and Portishead Medical Group in Portishead. The PCN serves over 50,000 patients.
Job description Job responsibilities
Take referrals from the PCNs GP practices for the benefit of the local population
Identify a range of options that could assist the person to improve their independence and health and wellbeing
Identify barriers to, or issues preventing people from taking up support and use a person-centred approach to develop solutions with the person
Produce a simple personalised support plan to improve health & wellbeing introducing or reconnecting people to community groups
Support people with accessing support groups and organisations by accompanying them to initial visits (within contracted work hours)
Manage and prioritise own caseload
Develop knowledge and effective working relationships with statutory and non- statutory agencies, voluntary and community sector organisations and the range of community resources available, identifying opportunities for joining up services, to support people.
Have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals
Understand the barriers and opportunities for people to self-manage their conditions in the community
Undertake risk assessments and follow policy and procedure to report any concerns about referrals
Keep accurate and up-to-date records on relevant health and social care systems
Gather, record and collate data, including case studies, in a prescribed format to demonstrate the impact of the service
Person Specification
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge Essential
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Ability to build trusting relationships Understanding of person-centre care Knowledge of local community resources and voluntary services Ability to work independently and manage a varied caseload Good organisation, IT and documentation skills Full UK driving licence and access to transport (where required for home visits) Compassionate and empathetic approach Excellent listening and motivational skills Strong problem-solving abilities Ability to work collaboratively across multiple agencies Ability to prioritise workload effectively
Desirable
Knowledge of safeguarding legislation Experience of working in primary care An understanding of the social issues affecting North Somerset Social Prescribing qualification
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Harbourside Family Practice
Address Clevedon Medical Centre
Old Street
CLEVEDON
Avon
BS21 6DG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.harboursidefmp.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)