Social Prescribing Link Worker

Gateway Family Services; West Midlands Combined Authority; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job description

Social Prescribing Link Worker

We have rewarding opportunity for a Social Prescribing Link Worker to focus on what matters to me and taking a holistic approach to people's health and wellbeing. If you feel you could connect to people, community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support, we would love to hear from you!

Position: Social Prescribing Link Worker

Location: North Solihull based in GP Surgeries

Hours: Full time (part-time hours available between 16 - 21 hours) flexible working available

Contract: 2 posts available - 1 x FTE & 1 x Part Time Maternity Cover

Salary: GBP26,430 per annum pro rata for part-time

Benefits: The provision of workplace wellbeing support and activities, hybrid working where the role allows, flexible working and a range of family friendly policies and subsidised parking.

Closing Date: Midnight on Wednesday 16th April

Interview Date: W/C 21st April & 28th April

The Role

Social prescribing link workers will work as a key part of the primary care network (PCN) multi-disciplinary team. Social prescribing can help PCNs to strengthen community and personal resilience and reduces health 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.

Responsibilities include:

1. Working with direct supervision from the Programme Lead/Senior Link Worker and input from the PCN’s Clinical Lead GP, take referrals from staff in GP practices within the local PCN.
2. Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes, as a key member of the PCN multi-disciplinary team.
3. Developing trusting relationships and taking a holistic approach, based on the person’s priorities and co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services.
4. Work collaboratively with all local partners to contribute towards supporting local community groups and organisations, making themselves aware of local resources and assets through mapping and then building a relationship with these organisations. Also sharing intelligence regarding any gaps or problems identified in local provision with commissioners and local authorities.
5. Social prescribing link workers will work collaboratively with GPs and have a role in promoting social prescribing and educating non-clinical and clinical staff within their PCN multi-disciplinary teams on the benefits of social prescribing.
6. Raise awareness of other services available within the community and how and when patients can access them. Linking into the work of Neighbourhood Network Schemes, locality Adult Social Care & Community Mental Health Teams.

About You

As a Social Prescribing Link Worker, you will have a Level 3 qualification in a relevant field (Health & Social Care, Health Trainer, Health Improvement, Community Family Worker, Psychology) or be working towards/willing to work towards.

You will have:

1. Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development
2. Experience of working directly in a community based context (including unpaid work)
3. Experience of supporting people with a mental health need and or complexities/vulnerabilities
4. Experience of delivering one to one support
5. Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations
6. Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality
7. Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities, individuals, their families and carers
8. Understanding of the barriers faced by those living in isolation
9. Knowledge of IT systems including ability to use word processing skills, emails, the internet and able to create simple plans and reports
10. Ability to complete paperwork, keep records and carry out own administration

An interview is guaranteed to suitably qualified and experienced people with disabilities and all successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

About the Organisation

A leading provider of services to the health and social care sector, with the aim to reduce inequalities in learning, employment and health. As an employer, the organisation is proud to offer a range of benefits to staff including provision of workplace wellbeing support and activities, flexible working and a range of family friendly policies and subsidised parking.

You may also have experience in areas such as Floating Support, Befriending, Community Family Worker, Social Worker, Community Navigator, Peer Support Worker, Welfare Support, Family Worker, Family Support Worker, Benefit, Care, Therapeutic, Therapy, Advice, Adviser, Health, Wellbeing, Social Care, Social Care Services, Health and Social Care.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.