Social Prescribing Link Worker

This role is to empower people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to ‘link workers’ who give time, focus on ‘what matters to me’ and take a holistic approach to an individual’s health and wellbeing, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Link workers also support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.

Social prescribing link workers will work as a key part of the primary care network (PCN) multi-disciplinary team. Social prescribing can help PCNs to strengthen community and personal resilience and reduces health and wellbeing 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. It particularly works for people with long term conditions (including support for mental health), for people who are lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**

1) Working with direct supervision from the practices, referrals from staff in GP practices within the local PCN.

2) Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes, as a key member of the PCN multi-disciplinary team. Developing trusting relationships and taking a holistic approach, based on the person’s priorities and co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services.

3) Work collaboratively with all local partners to contribute towards supporting local community groups and organisations, making themselves aware of local resources and “assets” through mapping and then building a relationship with these organisations. Also sharing intelligence regarding any gaps or problems identified in local provision with commissioners and local authorities.

4) Social prescribing link workers will work collaboratively with GP’s and have a role in promoting social prescribing and educating non-clinical and clinical staff within their PCN multi-disciplinary teams on the benefits of social prescribing

5) Raise awareness of other services available within the community and how and when patients can access them. Linking into the work of Neighbourhood Network Schemes, locality Adult Social Care & Mental Health Teams.

**Key tasks**

**Gaining and Managing Referrals**

1) As part of the PCN multi-disciplinary team, build relationships with staff in GP practices within the local PCN, attending relevant meetings, giving information and feedback on social prescribing and recognising that if they are confident in the service they will be more willing to make referrals

**Provide personalised support**

2) Meet people on a one-to-one basis. Give people time to tell their stories focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and work towards identifying what interests and motivates them. Build trust with the person, providing non-judgemental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices

3) Be a friendly source of information about health, wellbeing and prevention approaches to both service users, PCN staff and wider local organisations

4) Help people identify the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, being unemployed, loneliness and caring responsibilities

5) Work with the person, their families and carers and consider how they can all be

supported through social prescribing

6) With the individual produce a simple personalised support plan to address the person’s health and wellbeing needs. Actively involve individuals in the development and implementation of their plans aiming towards them taking ownership and making sustained behaviour changes.

7) Ensure knowledge of local services and partner organisations is up to date and relevant

8) Where appropriate, physically introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable. Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, included and receiving good support.

9) Provide flexible support in a variety of settings including GP surgeries, individuals homes, community venues and at a variety of times of day that respond to the individuals needs.

10) The role will require managing and prioritising your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals. It is vital that you have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies;
- e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner

**Data capture**

11) Work sensitively with people, their families a