Social Prescriber

Proactively engage people into the service using a variety of approaches, including receiving electronic referrals from GPs and contacting people directly over the phone to discuss the service. Deliver a service that is flexible, person centered, focuses on peoples strengths and personal goals, and provides them with choice. Co-produce a personalizedsupport plan with the person to improve their health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services as appropriate. Where people may be eligible for a personal health budget, help them to explore this option as a way of providing funded, personalizedsupport to be independent.

Deliver a range of direct interventions depending on individual needs including: Emotional support including support to develop effective coping strategies (working therapeutically). Support to better manage or improve physical health. Support to regain or maintain relationships with friends and family. Support to develop more confidence and a greater ability to gain choice, control, and responsibility in their lives.

Support to engage with appropriate specialist support or advice services. Support to engage in community groups and activities, including activities which promote citizenship and involvement. Use person centeredapproaches to assess and manage risk and vulnerability with the individual, in line with PCN policies and procedures and in partnership with GP practices. Work collaboratively with patients towards a planned end set of goals and their exit from the service.

Gather and record progress and outcomes with individuals, using an agreed outcome measurement tool, electronic database/case management systems and qualitative data capture. Work closely with the GP Practices to ensure that social prescribing referral codes are inputted into the electronic systems within the GP practice and that the persons use of the NHS can be tracked, adhering to data protection legislation and data sharing agreements. Involve people who engage with the project in co-production where possible. Engage with processes to capture, understand, and learn from the feedback provided by people using the service.

Build relationships with key staff in the GP practice, attending relevant meetings, becoming part of the wider team, giving information and feedback on social prescribing. Provide primary care and other referral agencies with regular updates about social prescribing, including information to encourage appropriate referrals. Seek regular feedback about the quality of service and impact of social prescribing on primary care and wider referral agencies. Develop supportive relationships with local VCSE organisations, community groups and statutory services, to make timely, appropriate, and supported referrals for the person being introduced.

Work with the other Social Prescribing Link Workers to develop ways to gather and share information about local community activity with people using the service and other stakeholders. Identify intelligence about gaps in services and support available to people and feed this into line management processes.