Job summary

Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing 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, mainstream resources/activities and statutory services for practical and emotional support. It can help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience, and reduces health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing peoples 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.

We are currently looking for a SPLW to join the Five Elms PCN.

Main duties of the job

As a Social Prescribing Link Worker you will be working in partnership with a group GP practices as part of a Primary Care Network (PCN), working closely with practice teams to support patients in taking control of their health. You will be a key point of contact for patients linking them to support within their local community.

If you are interested in this role and feel that you meet the criteria set out in the person specification, we would like to hear from you.

About us

The Bromley GP Alliance (BGPA) is a network of 42 practices which is working closely with all practices in Bromley to enhance the health and wellbeing of Bromley residents.

Since January 2015 BGPA has evolved from providing extra appointments for GP practices, to delivering a wide range of services to Bromley patients and in doing so supporting Bromley General Practice. These services include; Access Hubs, phlebotomy, dermatology, headache, vasectomy, OOH GPs, NHS health checks, chairing ICN MDT meetings, Bromleag Care Practice, supporting Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and supporting the health needs of homeless people in Bromley.

Date posted

13 January 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£29,120 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B0166-23-4537

Job locations

Kelsey Park Farmhouse

379 Croydon Road

Beckenham

BR3 3QL

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The post holder will be attached to GP Practices within a PCN and will work with direct supervision by a GP or senior nurse in each practice, and will also have a named GP supervisor for their PCN.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Take referrals initially from within GP practices in a primary care network, and with time accept referrals from a wide range of agencies: pharmacies, multi-disciplinary teams, hospital discharge teams, allied health professionals, fire service, police, job centres, social care services, housing associations, and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.

  • Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes. Develop trusting relationships by giving people time andfocus on what matters to me. Take a holistic approach, based on the persons priorities and the widerdeterminants of health.

  • Co-produce a personalised support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services.

  • The role will require managing and prioritising your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload.

  • 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, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the link worker role e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner.

  • Work together with all local partners, in particular with link workers in other PCNs in Bromley and those working across Bromley to develop an area of expertise to ensure that the needs of individuals are met most effectively.

  • To be familiar with and fully comply with BGPA policies and procedures.Professional Development

  • Attend and participate in an induction programme and all relevant training.

  • Work with your supervising GP and/or line manager to undertake continual personal and professionaldevelopment, taking an active part in reviewing and developing the roles and responsibilities.

  • Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working,information governance, and health and safety.

  • Work with your line manager to access regular clinical supervision, to enable you to deal effectively withthe difficult issues that people present.

  • Participate in annual appraisal.

  • To attend regular monthly SPLW team meetings with the Social Prescribing Manager. Plus any otherappropriate meetings to ensure good team working with the PCNs and wider community teams.

  • To take part in events and activities as appropriate to the role.

    Miscellaneous:

  • Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner.

  • Duties may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The post holder will be attached to GP Practices within a PCN and will work with direct supervision by a GP or senior nurse in each practice, and will also have a named GP supervisor for their PCN.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Take referrals initially from within GP practices in a primary care network, and with time accept referrals from a wide range of agencies: pharmacies, multi-disciplinary teams, hospital discharge teams, allied health professionals, fire service, police, job centres, social care services, housing associations, and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.

  • Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes. Develop trusting relationships by giving people time andfocus on what matters to me. Take a holistic approach, based on the persons priorities and the widerdeterminants of health.

  • Co-produce a personalised support plan to improve health and wellbeing, introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services.

  • The role will require managing and prioritising your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload.

  • 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, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the link worker role e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner.

  • Work together with all local partners, in particular with link workers in other PCNs in Bromley and those working across Bromley to develop an area of expertise to ensure that the needs of individuals are met most effectively.

  • To be familiar with and fully comply with BGPA policies and procedures.Professional Development

  • Attend and participate in an induction programme and all relevant training.

  • Work with your supervising GP and/or line manager to undertake continual personal and professionaldevelopment, taking an active part in reviewing and developing the roles and responsibilities.

  • Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working,information governance, and health and safety.

  • Work with your line manager to access regular clinical supervision, to enable you to deal effectively withthe difficult issues that people present.

  • Participate in annual appraisal.

  • To attend regular monthly SPLW team meetings with the Social Prescribing Manager. Plus any otherappropriate meetings to ensure good team working with the PCNs and wider community teams.

  • To take part in events and activities as appropriate to the role.

    Miscellaneous:

  • Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner.

  • Duties may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • – Polite and confident.
  • – Flexible and cooperative.
  • – Motivated.
  • – Forward thinker.
  • – High levels of integrity and loyalty.
  • – Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
  • – Ability to work under pressure.

Qualifications

Essential

  • – Educated to GCSE level or equivalent.

Desirable

  • – Health & Well-being qualification.
  • – NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or other relevant professional academic qualification.

Experience

Essential

  • – Experience of working with the general public.
  • – Experience of working in a healthcare setting or in the leisure industry/public/voluntary sector.
  • – Experience of delivering lifestyle changes interventions.

Desirable

  • – Experience of working with vulnerable people.
  • – Experience of working as a health advisor/trainer.

Knowledge

Desirable

  • – General understanding of well-being and community services.
  • – Good understanding of interventions, behavioural and motivational change methodologies.
  • – Good understanding of social prescribing.

Skills

Essential

  • – Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
  • – Strong IT skills.
  • – Clear, polite telephone manner.
  • – Competent in the use of Office and Outlook.
  • – Effective time management (planning and organising).
  • – Ability to work as a team member or autonomously.
  • – Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • – Problem-solving & analytical skills.
  • – Ability to follow policy and procedure.

Other requirements

Essential

  • – Flexibility to work outside core office hours.
  • – Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Person Specification

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • – Polite and confident.
  • – Flexible and cooperative.
  • – Motivated.
  • – Forward thinker.
  • – High levels of integrity and loyalty.
  • – Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
  • – Ability to work under pressure.

Qualifications

Essential

  • – Educated to GCSE level or equivalent.

Desirable

  • – Health & Well-being qualification.
  • – NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or other relevant professional academic qualification.

Experience

Essential

  • – Experience of working with the general public.
  • – Experience of working in a healthcare setting or in the leisure industry/public/voluntary sector.
  • – Experience of delivering lifestyle changes interventions.

Desirable

  • – Experience of working with vulnerable people.
  • – Experience of working as a health advisor/trainer.

Knowledge

Desirable

  • – General understanding of well-being and community services.
  • – Good understanding of interventions, behavioural and motivational change methodologies.
  • – Good understanding of social prescribing.

Skills

Essential

  • – Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
  • – Strong IT skills.
  • – Clear, polite telephone manner.
  • – Competent in the use of Office and Outlook.
  • – Effective time management (planning and organising).
  • – Ability to work as a team member or autonomously.
  • – Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • – Problem-solving & analytical skills.
  • – Ability to follow policy and procedure.

Other requirements

Essential

  • – Flexibility to work outside core office hours.
  • – Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).