Social Prescriber

Purpose of the role To play a pivotal role in the delivery of high quality primary health care within the Primary Care Network To support the PCN in achieving the DES Specification To work closely with PCN Practices and the Multidisciplinary teams Empower people to take control of their health and wellbeing, focus on what matters to me and take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.

To support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.

Help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience and reduce health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing peoples 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 impact on wellbeing.

To support delivery of the Comprehensive Model of Personalised Care.

Key duties and responsibilities They will take referrals from the networks members and referrals from a wide range of agencies.

These agencies include but are not limited to:

the networks members, pharmacies, multi-disciplinary teams, hospital discharge teams, allied health professionals, fire service, police, job centres, social care services, housing associations and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations They will: 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 them; take a holistic approach, based on the persons priorities, and the wider determinants of health; co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services; and evaluate the individual impact of a persons wellness progress.

The role will require social prescribing link workers to manage and prioritise their own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload.

Where required and as appropriate, the social prescribing link workers will refer people back to other health professionals within the network.

Social prescribing link workers will draw on and increase the strengths and capacities of local communities, enabling local VCSE organisations and community groups to receive social prescribing referrals.

They will ensure those organisations and groups are supported, have basic safeguarding processes for vulnerable individuals and can provide opportunities for the person to develop friendships, a sense of belonging, and build knowledge, skills and confidence.

Social prescribing link workers will work together with all local partners to collectively ensure that local VCSE organisations and community groups are sustainable and that community assets are nurtured, by making them aware of small grants or micro-commissioning if available, including providing support to set up new community groups and services, where gaps are identified in local provision.

Social prescribing link workers will have a role in educating non-clinical and clinical staff within the network on what other services and support are available within the community and how and when patients can access them.

This may include verbal or written advice and guidance. Safeguarding Have basic safeguarding process in place for vulnerable individuals.

Provide opportunities for the patient to develop friendships and a sense of belonging, as well as to build knowledge, skills and confidence.

Health and Safety The post holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines.

Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manage those risks.

Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards.

Reporting potential risks identified Equality and Diversity The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues to include: Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedure and policies and current legislation.

Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.

---