About this role
Job summary
EXCITING TIMES - WE ARE ENLARGING OUR LIVING WELL TEAM!
North Wilts Border PCN is looking for a motivated and compassionate Social Prescriber to join our dynamic Living Well Team, which includes care coordinators, social prescribers, and health and wellbeing coaches. Our team is dedicated to supporting people to live healthier, more connected lives, addressing the wider social determinants of health, and reducing social isolation.
In this role, you will work closely with patients across the six practices within our PCN, helping them access the right community, voluntary, and social support tailored to their individual needs.
A key focus of this role will be engaging with people with learning disabilities and those living with severe mental health conditions, empowering them to build connections, enhance wellbeing, and improve their overall quality of life.
If you are passionate about helping people thrive in their communities and committed to reducing health inequalities, we would love to hear from you.
Join us in shaping a person-centred approach to care that goes beyond the clinic, supporting individuals to live well, stay connected, and achieve their full potential.
Main duties of the job
The Social Prescriber will work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, under the supervision of the Social Prescriber Team Leader and other healthcare professionals.
The role focuses on delivering person-centred support to address wider social determinants of health, including social isolation, housing, employment, and financial challenges.
Key responsibilities include connecting patients to community, voluntary, and statutory services; promoting social engagement and wellbeing; coordinating care across health and social care systems; supporting long-term management of physical and mental health needs; facilitating access to benefits, training, and employment; and contributing to initiatives aimed at reducing health inequalities.
The Social Prescriber will also support audits, provide guidance to colleagues, participate in PCN projects, and maintain professional development in line with the Personal Development Plan.
About us
North Wilts Border PCN is a vibrant, forward-thinking Primary Care Network serving over 56,000 patients across North Wiltshire and the borders of Swindon. Our network brings together six GP practices
Malmesbury Primary Care Centre, New Court Surgery, Purton Surgery, Cricklade Surgery, The Tolsey Surgery, and Tinkers Lane Surgery To deliver integrated, patient-centred care. By working together, we provide more coordinated, accessible, and flexible services that go beyond traditional GP appointments.
Our multidisciplinary team consisting of GPs, paramedics, clinical pharmacists, care coordinators, and social prescribing link workers.
Together, we support patients medical, social, and wellbeing needs, ensuring holistic care across our network.
This is your chance to join a collaborative environment where innovation, teamwork, and patient care comes first.
NOTE: Right to Work in the UK
Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants MUST already have the right to work in the UK in order to be considered.
Job description Job responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities
a) Develop and maintain a directory of local services, including charities, community/voluntary sector organizations, and private providers.
b) Provide long-term, person-centred support to address wider social determinants of health, such as housing insecurity, social isolation, financial difficulties, and employment challenges.
c) Deliver projects aimed at reducing health inequalities and addressing wider determinants of health.
d) Organize and participate in wellbeing fairs to promote community connection and showcase local support groups.
e) Connect individuals to mental health support, including Talking Therapies, adult community mental health services, and wellbeing initiatives.
f) Conduct Serious Mental Illness (SMI) reviews through assessment clinics, liaising with GPs and mental health teams, and ensuring continuity of care.
g) Encourage social engagement by linking individuals to community groups, activities, and volunteering opportunities.
h) Collaborate with councils and community partners to strengthen networks, develop new groups, and enhance existing community support structures.
i) support frequent service users by identifying and addressing underlying social factors contributing to repeated attendance.
j) Provide low-level mental health support through Talking Therapies and social group participation.
k) Conduct Learning Disability reviews, coordinating assessments and ensuring appropriate follow-up care.
l) Manage a caseload of patients, acting as a single point of contact across primary care, community care, secondary care, and care home settings.
m) Oversee and manage tasks related to local wellbeing teams (LWT).
Secondary Responsibilites
a. Support patients in accessing benefits, training, and employment opportunities where appropriate.
b. Help patients manage their health by responding to queries and ensuring access to clear, quality information about their care.
c. Coordinate appointments and encourage the uptake of vaccinations among eligible groups.
d. Focus on personalised, culturally sensitive support, particularly for patients from diverse backgrounds or those with disabilities or long-term conditions.
e. Navigate and coordinate care across health and care systems, ensuring timely referrals and seamless transitions between services.
f. Facilitate and monitor referrals to both clinical and non-clinical services, collaborating with healthcare teams and external partners.
g. Empower patients to take an active role in managing their health and wellbeing.
h. Liaise with Adult Social Care when needed to raise safeguarding concerns or request care assessments.
i. Contribute to tackling health inequalities through targeted work with identified population groups.
j. Uphold relevant policies and procedures, including safeguarding, confidentiality, lone working, information governance, health and safety, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.
k. Support the PCN audit programme and undertake audits as required.
l. Provide guidance and support to junior team members.
m. Participate in local initiatives and projects to enhance service delivery and patient care.
n. Contribute to shared learning across the practice.
o. Participate in PCN projects as directed by the PCN manager.
p. Take personal responsibility for learning and development, maintaining competency and achieving targets set in the Personal Development Plan (PDP).
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Demonstrated experience working directly in community development, adult health and social care, learning support, or public health/health improvement, including unpaid or voluntary work. Proven experience supporting individuals, their families, and carers in a relevant role, including through voluntary or unpaid contributions. Experience collaborating with the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, including engagement with volunteers and small community groups. Strong experience in partnership and collaborative working, including building and maintaining relationships across multiple organisations. Experience of volunteering or supporting volunteer-led initiatives, demonstrating the ability to engage and manage volunteers effectively.
Desirable
Experience of working in Primary Care Knowledge of SystmOne
Qualifications Essential
GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths NVQ Level 3/4 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
Desirable
Accredited programme qualification e.g. Personalised Care Institute National Association of Link Workers
Skills and Knowledge Essential
Knowledgeable in social prescribing models. Familiar with community development approaches. Competent in using IT systems, including Microsoft Word, email, and internet tools to create and manage plans. Awareness of GDPR regulations and compliance requirements. Understanding of safeguarding principles for both children and adults. Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality
Other Requirements Essential
Able to travel and work across multiple sites, with access to personal transport insured for business use. Flexible to work from various locations as required. Willing to provide cover within the team during periods of annual leave or sickness. Capable of traveling as needed to meet the requirements of the role. Meets DBS standards and holds a clear criminal record, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Possesses a full, unrestricted driving licence with business insurance and reliable access to personal transport for regular travel, including home visits within the locality.
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 North Wilts Border PCN Ltd Company
Address Tinkers Lane Surgery
Tinkers Field
Royal Wootton Bassett
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN4 7AT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://northwiltsborderpcn.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)