Social Prescribing Link Worker

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**JOB TITLE**: Social Prescribing Link Worker

**REPORTS TO**:Practice and Primary Care Network Management Team

**HOURS OF WORK**:37.5 hours per week

**SALARY SCALE**:Band 3 - 4 (from £24,336 dependent on experience) - NHS Pension also offered.

**HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT**: 25 days per year (pro-rata) plus Bank Holidays

**CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS**:9 February 2024

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients within the community? Could you play a vital role in providing high quality support to people experiencing challenges within their health and wellbeing? If so, and you are looking for a diverse and autonomous role we have an exciting opportunity for you.

Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical social prescribing link workers who give time to focus on “what matters to me”.

North Riding Primary Care Network is recruiting to the role of Social Prescribing Link Worker. As a network we support patients from the following GP surgeries: Ampleforth and Hovingham, Derwent (Norton), Sherburn and Rillington and Ayton and Snainton Medical Practice. Support would be required throughout the patch, however within the PCN Social Prescribing team we would be looking for a slightly heavier focus between the Ampleforth and Malton area.

As a Social Prescriber you will take a holistic approach connecting people to community groups and statutory services that provide emotional and practical support.

As part of the PCN’s team of health professionals take referrals from the PCN and a wide range of agencies to support the health and wellbeing of patients.

Deliver the social prescribing plan as determined by the PCN, Commissioners, social prescribing schemes, Local Authorities, and voluntary sector leaders.

Full driving license and ability to travel independently across the PCN is essential. Mileage is supported.

**Job Summary**

To provide personalised support to patients, their families, and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently, improve their health outcomes, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them.

Working collaboratively with community groups providing support to maintain and build accessibility, sustainability, and capacity.

**Key Areas of Responsibility**:

- Accept referrals and assess how far a patient’s health and wellbeing needs can be met by services and other opportunities in the community.
- Manage and prioritise your caseload reflecting your patients’ needs.
- Together produce a simple personalised care and support plan to address their health and wellbeing needs by introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services, for example weight management support, smoking cessation, taking up employment, training, welfare support (personal health budget) and sign posting where it matters to the person.
- Following a patients’ journey, evaluate how far the actions in the care and support plan are meeting their health and wellbeing needs.
- Where required refer patients back to other health professionals within the PCN.
- For your own personal and professional development, you will be expected to participate in regular supervision and continuous professional development training.
- Discuss concerns with a relevant GP to ensure safeguarding procedures are followed appropriately where required.
- Work collaboratively with local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations and community groups to receive social prescribing referrals.
- Support the VCSE organisations and community groups to become more sustainable, sharing intelligence regarding gaps or issues identified in local provision.
- Ensure all VCSE organisations have appropriate safeguarding procedures in place and are genuine opportunities for patients to develop a sense of belonging, build knowledge, skills, and confidence.
- Sharing the knowledge and promoting the benefits with colleagues in the PCN on other services available in the local community and how these can be accessed.
- Promote the social prescribing services you offer to colleagues within your PCN and the community. Be visible.
- Gather data to build an evidence base about the benefits of social prescribing.

**Management of workload and personal development**:

- Act on own initiative in prioritising and managing workload, in respect of clinical, managerial, and administrative areas, as necessary.
- Maintain own personal and professional development as agreed at your annual review.

**Confidentiality**:

- In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.
- In the performan