Social Prescribing Link Worker

Job summary

Contract:

Permanent

Hours:

Full time 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £31,150 per annum

We're looking for a full time Social Prescribing link worker who will be employed wholly by One Wight Health Ltd and will work within the Islands South Primary Care Network at the Bay Medical Practice (Covering Sandown and Shanklin branches).

You will work with individuals to identify their needs, then support them to access other organisations, services or community groups as appropriate. You will be engaging and use your skills to build networks to identify local services that can support patients with underlying issues that may contribute to ill health, such as managing their housing, finances, stress, loneliness or lifestyle choices.

To be successful you must have experience of managing your own caseload, knowledge of the local community, ideally hold a relevant health qualification and have knowledge of advice and advocacy services. You will be customer focused in your approach with the ability to listen to patients' needs as well as develop strong networks and relationships with suitable partners. Full UK Driving licence and use of car is essential.

Take referrals from a wide range of agencies, working with GP practices within primary care networks, 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 (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 focus onwhat matters to me. 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 your own caseload, in accordance with the needs,priorities and any urgent support required by individuals onthe caseload. It is vital that you have a strong awareness and understanding ofwhen it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of thelink worker role e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring aqualified practitioner.

One Wight Health supports our member GP practices to help them deliver the best possible care to patients on the Island. We hosta team including Social Prescribers & Health and Wellbeing Coaches under aPrimary Care Contract that support our Island practices.

We aim to do that by providing centralised services that enable GPs to enhance their offer of support to patients.

We also help bid for and secure additional funding from NHS England, where it becomes available, to help support new initiatives that help practices to meet their patients care needs and we work to support general practice/primary care, to make sure it has a voice within the wider healthcare system as it develops plans for the future care for our population.