Social Prescriber

**About the Role**:
Colne Valley PCN has an exciting opportunity for a social prescriber to join our PCN team on a full time basis (37.5 hours per week). You will be working across the PCN's 6 practices with a total of 54,000 registered patients.

Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience whilst reducing health 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. Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and well-being through referral to non-medical ‘link workers’ who give time to focus on what matters to each individual, taking a holistic approach and connecting people to community groups and statutory services, for practical and emotional support.

The social prescriber link worker (SPLW) will work alongside a team within general practice and within the Primary Care Network (PCN) and empower people to take control of their health and well-being. A referral to a non-medical ‘link worker’ is designed to support patients in being able to take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.

The post holder will be an integral part of the general practice team, working in each practice and across the PCN, as well as part of a wider community groups and their multidisciplinary teams. The SPLW will support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners. This role can be particularly beneficial to patients with long-term conditions, those with mental health issues, and those who are lonely or isolated or who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

The main responsibilities of the role include:

- Receiving and managing all referrals from multi-agencies;
- Providing personalised support to vulnerable individuals;
- Working in partnership with the practice team to support patients and promote positive lifestyle changes, with the aim of preventing ill-health by means of behavioural change techniques;
- Completing holistic-care planning assessments, analysing how needs can be met by services and other opportunities available in the community;
- Providing information and advice about a wide range of services in order to promote health and well-being in order to support independence within communities;
- Forging strong links with local VCSE organisations, community and neighbourhood level groups;
- Contributing to reducing demand on statutory services, hospital admissions and to combat unnecessary GP appointments;
- Working with patients in the practice, or with patients in their own homes, to provide personalised person-centred support.

If you are a local community champion or already a social prescriber, and want a new and exciting challenge, then we would love to hear from you.

You will need to have the following skills:

- Experience of working within healthcare, the voluntary or community sectors, supporting vulnerable groups;
- Diploma Level 2 in Health and Social Care, or equivalent qualification or experience;
- Strong listening and communication skills;
- You will be familiar with local resources and services and how to access them;
- Motivated by helping people, with care and empathy;
- Ability to deliver person-centred support in a non-judgmental way;
- Experience of completing holistic, person-centred care-planning assessments;
- Understanding of the needs of small, volunteer-led community groups and the ability to support their development;
- Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies;
- Experience and confidence in the delivery of lifestyle change interventions.

**About Us**:
Colne Valley PCN is a collaboration of 6 GP practices serving approximately 54,000 patients, from the Kelvedon, Finchingfield, Halstead, Earls Colne, Coggeshall and Hedingham areas.

We offer the NHS Pension Scheme and 6.6 weeks annual leave per year (inclusive of bank holidays).

**Disclosure and Barring Service Check