A social prescriber is a link worker who empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through giving time, focusing on what matters to them, and taking a holistic approach. The post holder works to connect people to community groups as well as statutory services for practical and emotional support. Social Prescribers support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.
The postholder will be deployed in Hyndburn Central Primary Care working in partnership with the practice teams in that network to support patients and promote lifestyle changes, preventing ill-health by means of behaviour change techniques. The post requires a good understanding of social prescribing, well-being, and community services, and an ability to provide motivational and behavioural techniques.
Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience and reduce health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing, and physical inactivity; and 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 of the job
Key Responsibilities
* Take referrals from the PCNs Core Network Practices and from a wide range of agencies, including wider 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 (list not exhaustive).
* 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 focusing on 'what matters to me'.
* Take a holistic approach, based on the person's 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.
* Manage and prioritise your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities, and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload.
* Have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies.
Please note - you will be required to work across two practices within this role so own transport and driving licence will be required.
About us
About Us
The East Lancashire Alliance is a network of 9 PCNs covering 48 GP practices covering a population of over 390,000 patients across East Lancashire. Patients are at the heart of everything we do, and we pride ourselves in ensuring our patients feel safe, supported, communicated with, and respected at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable. The Alliance is proud to represent our member practices and to champion our Primary Care Partners, by working with local general practice and other system partners in the provision of patient-centred, local healthcare services.
Each practice has a close-knit team of staff who collectively seek to improve the health of their patient populations.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NVQ Level 3 Advanced level in the relevant field, equivalent qualifications or working towards.
* Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
* Clean Driving License and own transport.
* Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience.
Experience
* Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support, or public health/health improvement.
* Experience of supporting people, their families, and carers in a related role.
* Experience of working with the VCSE sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity).
* Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.
* Experience of supporting people with their mental health.
Skills and Abilities
* Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
* Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals.
* Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets.
Knowledge
* Understanding of the wider determinants of health.
* Knowledge of community development approaches.
* Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills.
Other
* Meets DBS reference standards and has a clear criminal record.
* Willingness to work flexible hours when required.
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.
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