Social Prescriber

About the Role

We have an exciting, new opportunity for two Social Prescribers to join Harlow South PCN team. Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and well-being 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 and statutory services for practical and emotional support. The main responsibilities of the role include:

• Receiving and managing all referrals from multi-agencies and providing personalised support to vulnerable individuals;
• Working in partnership with the practice team, supporting patients and promoting positive lifestyle changes, preventing ill-health by means of behavioural change techniques;
• Completing holistic care planning assessments, analysing how needs can be met by services and other opportunities available in the community;
• Providing information and advice about a wide range of services to promote health and well-being and maintain independence within communities;
• Forging strong links with local VCSE organisations, community and neighbourhood level groups;
• Contributing to reducing demand on statutory services, hospital admissions and to combat unnecessary GP appointments;
• Working with patients in the practice or with patients in their own homes, providing personalised person centered support.

About the Candidate

If you are a local community champion / social prescriber and want a new and exciting change in career, then we would love to hear from you. You will need to have the following skills :

• You will have experience of working within healthcare or the voluntary / community sector, supporting vulnerable groups;
• Ideally you will have a Diploma Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification;
• You will have strong listening and communication skills;
• You will be familiar on local resources and services and how to access them;
• You will be motivated by helping people, with care and empathy;
• In delivering person-centred support in a non-judgmental way;
• Experience of completing holistic person centred care planning assessments;
• Understanding of the needs of small volunteer-led community groups and ability to support their development;
• Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies;
• Experience and confident in the delivery of lifestyle change interventions.

About Us

We are a friendly, supportive, democratic, well organised and enthusiastic Primary Care Network, based in a new purpose-built single site Health Centre in Harlow.

• The PCN has 40,000+, patients from three practices. Lister Medical Centre based at Lister House, Staple Tye, The Ross Practice and The Hamilton Practice based at Keats House, Bush Fair.
• We have an innovative team structure, including Social Prescribers, Care coordinators, Clinical Pharmacists and a Health and wellbeing coach.
• We are a training hub and support learning and development.
• SystmOne clinical system
• Easy access to M11/M25, close to London and Stansted and attractive Essex and Hertfordshire countryside, excellent schools

We look forward to the addition of a Social Prescriber to the PCN and would be able to support someone new to the role providing support and training as needed.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.