Job summary Are you looking for a new challenge with the opportunity to apply your existing knowledge and skills to help shape services within a new Primary Care Network (PCN)? Do you want to make a real difference to patient care? If so, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Social Prescribing Link Worker within the newly formed Kirkham & Wesham PCN. You will be an integral part of the team, helping to provide an effective service to our patients as well as enhancing a forward thinking PCN. Does this sound like the opportunity for you? If so, Kirkham & Wesham PCN would love to hear from you Main duties of the job Social prescribing is a key component of the NHS Long Term Plan for Personalised Care. The NHS is committed to making Social Prescribers available to people in every GP Practice across England. Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLWs) focus on a patients view - what matters to me, taking a holistic approach to peoples health and wellbeing. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. The service is becoming quickly established in England, helping to strengthen community and personal resilience, and reduce 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), who are lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing. The Link Worker will coordinate between the GP practices to further develop our social prescribing service, supporting patients to access all available community opportunities. Linking individuals with community and volunteering support so they can take charge of their own health and well-being. About us Kirkham & Wesham PCN has a population of approximately 22,000 patients registered with 2 GP practices based in the market town of Kirkham. PCNs form a key building block of the NHS Long Term Plan, bringing general practices together to deliver a wider range of services to their patients. Kirkham & Wesham PCN is a newly formed PCN with an innovative, forward thinking, friendly and focussed team. We value the diversity of our colleagues and actively champion an inclusive culture and are committed to helping our colleagues achieve a work/ life balance. You'll be joining a great team, in a great place, where your commitment will be valued, your skills respected, and your ambition rewarded. Date posted 05 April 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £26,000 a year Pro Rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number A0573-25-0000 Job locations Church Street Kirkham Preston Lancashire PR4 2YL Job description Job responsibilities Primary Duties and Areas of Responsibility Take referrals from multiple agencies 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 and focus on what matters to them. Take a holistic approach, based on the persons priorities and the wider determinants 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 a caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals. It is vital that the post holder has a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when the persons needs are beyond the scope of the link worker role e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner. Be proactive in developing strong links with all local agencies to encourage referrals, recognising what they need to be confident in the service to make appropriate referrals. Draw on and increase the strengths and capacities of local communities, enabling local VCSE organisations and community groups to receive social prescribing referrals. Ensure they are supported, have basic safeguarding processes for vulnerable individuals and can provide opportunities for the person to develop friendships, a sense of belonging, and build knowledge, skills and confidence. Promote social prescribing, its role in self-management, and the wider determinants of health. Build relationships with key staff in GP practices within the local Primary Care Network (PCN), attending relevant meetings, becoming part of the wider network team, giving information and feedback on social prescribing. Provide referral agencies with regular updates about social prescribing, including training for their staff and how to access information to encourage appropriate referrals. Seek regular feedback about the quality of service and impact of social prescribing on referral agencies. Be proactive in encouraging self-referrals and connecting with all local communities, particularly those communities that statutory agencies may find hard to reach. Provide personalised support Meet people on a one-to-one basis, making home visits where appropriate within organisations policies and procedures. Give people time to tell their stories and focus on their view what matters to me. Build trust with the person, providing non-judgmental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices. Work from a strength-based approach focusing on a persons assets. Be a friendly source of information about wellbeing and prevention approaches. Help people identify the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, being unemployed, loneliness and caring responsibilities. Work with the person, their families and carers and consider how they can all be supported through social prescribing. Help people maintain or regain independence through living skills, adaptations, enablement approaches and simple safeguards. Work with individuals to co-produce a simple personalised support plan based on the persons priorities, interests, values and motivations including what they can expect from the groups, activities and services they are being connected to and what the person can do for themselves to improve their health and wellbeing. 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. Where people may be eligible for a personal health budget, help them to explore this option as a way of providing funded, personalised support to be independent, including helping people to gain skills for meaningful employment, where appropriate. Support community groups and VCSE organisations to receive referrals Forge strong links with local VCSE organisations, community and neighbourhood level groups, utilising their networks and building on whats already available to create a map or menu of community groups and assets. Use these opportunities to promote micro-commissioning or small grants if available. Develop supportive relationships with local VCSE organisations, community groups and statutory services, to make timely, appropriate and supported referrals for the person being introduced. Ensure that local community groups and VCSE organisations being referred to have basic procedures in place for ensuring that vulnerable individuals are safe and, where there are safeguarding concerns, work with all partners to deal appropriately with issues. Where such policies and procedures are not in place, support groups to work towards this standard before referrals are made to them. Check that community groups and VCSE organisations meet in insured premises and that health and safety requirements are in place. Where such policies and procedures are not in place, support groups to work towards this standard before referrals are made to them. Support local groups to act in accordance with information governance policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act. Communication: The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members, attend Practice meetings and contribute as necessary. Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly 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. The post-holder should always respect patient confidentiality and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role. Information Technology Work sensitively with people, their families and carers to capture key information, enabling tracking of the impact of social prescribing on their health and wellbeing. Encourage people, their families and carers to provide feedback and to share their stories about the impact of social prescribing on their lives. Support referral agencies to provide appropriate information about the person they are referring. Use the case management system to track the persons progress. Provide appropriate feedback to referral agencies about the people they referred. Work closely with GP practices within the PCN to ensure that social prescribing referral codes are inputted into EMIS and that the persons use of the NHS can be tracked. Also that the PCN documentation and other important documentation is maintained on the Document Management System (GP Clarity) adhering to data protection legislation and data sharing agreements with the Integrated Care Board (ICB). Work closely with the NHS Central Support Unit (CSU) and the Practice Managers to manage data collection, record appropriate coding, analyse reports etc to enable informed decision making and continuous quality improvement. Continuous Professional Development The post-holder will undertake regular professional development as agreed for the role, taking an active part in reviewing and developing the role and responsibilities and provide evidence of learning activity as required e.g. personalised care planning. Equality and Diversity The post-holder must co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc. The post holder will contribute to tackling inequalities in health and social care particularly regarding individuals with long-term conditions. An ethos of promotion of independence and partnership-working is integral to this post. Miscellaneous Demonstrate a flexible attitude and be prepared to carry out other duties as may reasonably be required within the general character of the post, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner. Other duties which may be decided upon by the Kirkham and Wesham PCN Board from time to time Work in accordance with the PCNs policies and procedures. Contribute to the wider aims and objectives of the PCN to improve and support primary care. Job Description Agreement This Job Description is flexible and the post holder will be expected to undertake any other duties appropriate to the role and grade as may be required by the GPs/Practice and PCN Management. This job description is subject to change from time to time in line with organisational need and the post holders agreement should not unreasonably be denied Job description Job responsibilities Primary Duties and Areas of Responsibility Take referrals from multiple agencies 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 and focus on what matters to them. Take a holistic approach, based on the persons priorities and the wider determinants 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 a caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals. It is vital that the post holder has a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when the persons needs are beyond the scope of the link worker role e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner. Be proactive in developing strong links with all local agencies to encourage referrals, recognising what they need to be confident in the service to make appropriate referrals. Draw on and increase the strengths and capacities of local communities, enabling local VCSE organisations and community groups to receive social prescribing referrals. Ensure they are supported, have basic safeguarding processes for vulnerable individuals and can provide opportunities for the person to develop friendships, a sense of belonging, and build knowledge, skills and confidence. Promote social prescribing, its role in self-management, and the wider determinants of health. Build relationships with key staff in GP practices within the local Primary Care Network (PCN), attending relevant meetings, becoming part of the wider network team, giving information and feedback on social prescribing. Provide referral agencies with regular updates about social prescribing, including training for their staff and how to access information to encourage appropriate referrals. Seek regular feedback about the quality of service and impact of social prescribing on referral agencies. Be proactive in encouraging self-referrals and connecting with all local communities, particularly those communities that statutory agencies may find hard to reach. Provide personalised support Meet people on a one-to-one basis, making home visits where appropriate within organisations policies and procedures. Give people time to tell their stories and focus on their view what matters to me. Build trust with the person, providing non-judgmental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices. Work from a strength-based approach focusing on a persons assets. Be a friendly source of information about wellbeing and prevention approaches. Help people identify the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, being unemployed, loneliness and caring responsibilities. Work with the person, their families and carers and consider how they can all be supported through social prescribing. Help people maintain or regain independence through living skills, adaptations, enablement approaches and simple safeguards. Work with individuals to co-produce a simple personalised support plan based on the persons priorities, interests, values and motivations including what they can expect from the groups, activities and services they are being connected to and what the person can do for themselves to improve their health and wellbeing. 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. Where people may be eligible for a personal health budget, help them to explore this option as a way of providing funded, personalised support to be independent, including helping people to gain skills for meaningful employment, where appropriate. Support community groups and VCSE organisations to receive referrals Forge strong links with local VCSE organisations, community and neighbourhood level groups, utilising their networks and building on whats already available to create a map or menu of community groups and assets. Use these opportunities to promote micro-commissioning or small grants if available. Develop supportive relationships with local VCSE organisations, community groups and statutory services, to make timely, appropriate and supported referrals for the person being introduced. Ensure that local community groups and VCSE organisations being referred to have basic procedures in place for ensuring that vulnerable individuals are safe and, where there are safeguarding concerns, work with all partners to deal appropriately with issues. Where such policies and procedures are not in place, support groups to work towards this standard before referrals are made to them. Check that community groups and VCSE organisations meet in insured premises and that health and safety requirements are in place. Where such policies and procedures are not in place, support groups to work towards this standard before referrals are made to them. Support local groups to act in accordance with information governance policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act. Communication: The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members, attend Practice meetings and contribute as necessary. Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly 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. The post-holder should always respect patient confidentiality and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role. Information Technology Work sensitively with people, their families and carers to capture key information, enabling tracking of the impact of social prescribing on their health and wellbeing. Encourage people, their families and carers to provide feedback and to share their stories about the impact of social prescribing on their lives. Support referral agencies to provide appropriate information about the person they are referring. Use the case management system to track the persons progress. Provide appropriate feedback to referral agencies about the people they referred. Work closely with GP practices within the PCN to ensure that social prescribing referral codes are inputted into EMIS and that the persons use of the NHS can be tracked. Also that the PCN documentation and other important documentation is maintained on the Document Management System (GP Clarity) adhering to data protection legislation and data sharing agreements with the Integrated Care Board (ICB). Work closely with the NHS Central Support Unit (CSU) and the Practice Managers to manage data collection, record appropriate coding, analyse reports etc to enable informed decision making and continuous quality improvement. Continuous Professional Development The post-holder will undertake regular professional development as agreed for the role, taking an active part in reviewing and developing the role and responsibilities and provide evidence of learning activity as required e.g. personalised care planning. Equality and Diversity The post-holder must co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc. The post holder will contribute to tackling inequalities in health and social care particularly regarding individuals with long-term conditions. An ethos of promotion of independence and partnership-working is integral to this post. Miscellaneous Demonstrate a flexible attitude and be prepared to carry out other duties as may reasonably be required within the general character of the post, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner. Other duties which may be decided upon by the Kirkham and Wesham PCN Board from time to time Work in accordance with the PCNs policies and procedures. Contribute to the wider aims and objectives of the PCN to improve and support primary care. Job Description Agreement This Job Description is flexible and the post holder will be expected to undertake any other duties appropriate to the role and grade as may be required by the GPs/Practice and PCN Management. This job description is subject to change from time to time in line with organisational need and the post holders agreement should not unreasonably be denied Person Specification Knowledge and Skills Essential Knowledge of community development approaches Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports Meets DBS reference standards and has a clear criminal record, in line with the law on spent convictions Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work demands, including weekends and evenings Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own homes Desirable Knowledge of the personalised care approach Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality Experience Essential Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centered support in a non-judgmental way Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals 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 Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets Able to provide leadership and to finish work tasks Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies (including VCSE organisations and community groups). Able to work with others to reduce hierarchies and find creative solutions to community issues Demonstrates personal accountability, emotional resilience and works well under pressure Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines High level of written and oral communication skills Ability to work flexibly and enthusiastically within a team or on own initiative Understanding of the needs of small volunteer-led community groups and ability to support their development Knowledge of and ability to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work) Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (including unpaid work) Experience of working with the VCSE sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity), including with volunteers and small community groups Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities Desirable Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity Experience of data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services Qualifications Essential GCSE English and Maths and NVQ Level 3 or Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or work experience Desirable Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience Person Specification Knowledge and Skills Essential Knowledge of community development approaches Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports Meets DBS reference standards and has a clear criminal record, in line with the law on spent convictions Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work demands, including weekends and evenings Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own homes Desirable Knowledge of the personalised care approach Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality Experience Essential Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centered support in a non-judgmental way Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals 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 Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets Able to provide leadership and to finish work tasks Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies (including VCSE organisations and community groups). Able to work with others to reduce hierarchies and find creative solutions to community issues Demonstrates personal accountability, emotional resilience and works well under pressure Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines High level of written and oral communication skills Ability to work flexibly and enthusiastically within a team or on own initiative Understanding of the needs of small volunteer-led community groups and ability to support their development Knowledge of and ability to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work) Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (including unpaid work) Experience of working with the VCSE sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity), including with volunteers and small community groups Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities Desirable Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity Experience of data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services Qualifications Essential GCSE English and Maths and NVQ Level 3 or Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or work experience Desirable Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience 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. Employer details Employer name Ash Tree House Surgery Address Church Street Kirkham Preston Lancashire PR4 2YL Employer's website https://www.ashtreehousesurgery.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)