About this role
Job summary
Please note this role is part-time and non-clinical.
The Social Prescriber works as part of the Primary Care Network (PCN) multidisciplinary team to provide non-clinical, person-centred support to patients whose health and wellbeing are affected by social, emotional, or practical factors. The role supports patients to identify their needs, set goals, and access appropriate community, voluntary, statutory, and health-related services. Social Prescribers help people take greater control of their health and wellbeing while supporting General Practice by reducing inappropriate clinical workload.
Main duties of the job The Social Prescribing team is recognised as a key resource in supporting patients with non-clinical needs and managing demand within general practice. The team plays an important role in providing early intervention, signposting to appropriate community resources, and supporting patients while they await access to other services. Social Prescribers often act as the most accessible point of support for patients and families who are experiencing frustration with system delays, particularly in areas such as mental health, neurodiversity, housing, and wellbeing. It is an exciting opportunity to work in a highly organised, friendly, and progressive team.
The postholder will work with a diverse range of people from different cultural and social backgrounds. The ability to work confidently and effectively in a varied, and sometimes challenging environment is essential
The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and be organised, patient and empathetic. They will have experience of working in health, social care or other support roles including direct contact with people, families, or carers.
About us
Harpenden Health Primary Care Network (PCN) is looking to recruit a Social Prescribing Link Worker, to work within our healthcare team. We aim to provide a patient friendly quality service to our 45,000 patients. We enjoy multidisciplinary teamworking and the opportunities that collaborative working in a PCN provides.
Are you interested in an exciting career opportunity in a supportive innovative healthcare setting? This is a perfect opportunity for those seeking a flexible and rewarding career. We look forward to hearing from you.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Social Prescriber works as part of the Primary Care Network (PCN) multidisciplinary team to provide non-clinical, person-centred support to patients whose health and wellbeing are affected by social, emotional, or practical factors. The role supports patients to identify their needs, set goals, and access appropriate community, voluntary, statutory, and health-related services. Social Prescribers help people take greater control of their health and wellbeing while supporting General Practice by reducing inappropriate clinical workload. In recent years, the role of General Practice and Community Care has expanded at an exponential rate. Traditionally GPs with a small team were able to meet the vast majority of their patients needs. Over time societal change, population increases and role expansion has changed the face of General Practice forever. We are seeing ever more complex patient care needs and targets. Current primary Care teams lack the workforce and specialisms to manage this shift adequately.
The Social Prescribing team was recognised as a key resource in supporting patients with non-clinical needs and managing demand within general practice. The team plays an important role in providing early intervention, signposting to appropriate community resources, and supporting patients while they await access to other services. Social Prescribers often act as the most accessible point of support for patients and families who are experiencing frustration with system delays, particularly in areas such as mental health, neurodiversity, housing, and wellbeing. It is an exciting opportunity to work in a highly organized, friendly, and progressive team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Take referrals from a wide range of agencies, working with GP practices, pharmacies, multi-disciplinary teams, allied health professionals, social care services, housing associations, and voluntary and community organisations (list not exhaustive).
Provide personalised support to individuals, their families, and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes.
Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to me.
The role will require managing and prioritising your own caseload.
Have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the role.
Draw on and increase the strengths and capacities of local communities, enabling local organisations and community groups to receive social prescribing referrals.
Work together with all local partners to collectively ensure that local organisations and community groups are sustainable and that community assets are nurtured, by making them aware of grants or micro-commissioning if available, including providing support to set up new community groups and services, where gaps are identified in local provision.
Provide Personalised Support
Meet people on a one-to-one basis, usually by phone but could include making home visits whereappropriate within organisations policies and procedures. Give people time to tell their stories and focus on what matters to me. Build trust with the person, providing non- judgemental support, respecting diversity, and lifestyle choices. Work from a strength-based approach focusing on a persons assets.
Be a friendly source of information about wellbeing and prevention approaches.
Work with the person, their families and carers and consider how they can all be supported through social prescribing.
Where people may be eligible for a personalised support to be independent, including helping people to gain skills for life, where appropriate.
Work collectively with all local partners to ensure community groups are strong and sustainable.
Support local partners and commissioners to develop new groups and services where needed, through small grants for community groups, micro-commissioning, and development support.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Demonstrable experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support, public support, or public health/health improvement. Experience of working with the general public. Experience of working within the NHS/Social Care/multi-disciplinary team. Experience of working under pressure, managing varying workloads, and changing demands. Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate orally and in written form in a confident, articulate manner. Ability to build relationships with others to enable and support collaborative working.
Desirable
Experience of supporting people, their families, and carers in a related role (can include unpaid work). Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations. Experience of data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services. Full driving license and access to a car. Ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own homes.
Qualifications Essential
GCSE grade A* to C (9-4) in English and Maths or equivalent. Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development. Willingness to work towards further educational qualifications required for the role.
Desirable
NVQ Level 3, Advanced level, or equivalent qualifications.
Other Essential Skills Essential
IT Skills confident with MS Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
Desirable
Experience of EMIS is desirable but not essential.
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 Harpenden Health PCN
Address Elms Medical Practice
5 Stewart Road
Harpenden
Hertfordshire
AL5 4QA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.harpendenhealthpcn.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)