Social Prescriber

**About the Role**:
Lee Valley PCN has an exciting opportunity for a social prescriber to join our practice team on a full-time basis for 37.5 hours per week.

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 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**:
Lea Valley Health serves a patient population of over 41,000 and is made up of the following practices: Cromwell and Wormley Medical Centre, High Street Surgery, Stanhope Surgery and Stockwell Lodge Medical Centre.

**Disclosure and Barring Service Check