Social Prescriber

**About the Role**:
We have an exciting, new opportunity for two Social Prescribers to join Harlow South PCN team.

Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and well-being through referral to non-medical ‘link workers’ who give time, focus on ‘what matters to me’ and take a holistic approach, 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 and providing personalised support to vulnerable individuals;
- Working in partnership with the practice team, supporting patients and promoting positive lifestyle changes, 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 to promote health and well-being and maintain 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, providing personalised person centered support.

If you are a local community champion / social prescriber and want a new and exciting change in career, then we would love to hear from you.

You will need to have the following skills:

- You will have experience of working within healthcare or the voluntary / community sector, supporting vulnerable groups;
- Ideally you will have a Diploma Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification;
- You will have strong listening and communication skills;
- You will be familiar on local resources and services and how to access them;
- You will be motivated by helping people, with care and empathy;
- In delivering 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 ability to support their development;
- Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies;
- Experience and confident in the delivery of lifestyle change interventions.

**About Us**:
We are a friendly, supportive, democratic, well organised and enthusiastic Primary Care Network, based in a new purpose-built single site Health Centre in Harlow.
- The PCN has 40,000+, patients from three practices. Lister Medical Centre based at Lister House, Staple Tye, The Ross Practice and The Hamilton Practice based at Keats House, Bush Fair.
- We have an innovative team structure, including Social Prescribers, Care coordinators, Clinical Pharmacists and a Health and wellbeing coach.
- We are a training hub and support learning and development.
- SystmOne clinical system
- Easy access to M11/M25, close to London and Stansted and attractive Essex and Hertfordshire countryside, excellent schools

We look forward to the addition of a Social Prescriber to the PCN and would be able to support someone new to the role providing support and training as needed.

**Disclosure and Barring Service Check