Kendal PCN Social Prescriber

We are looking for someone to join our well-established and innovative Social Prescribing Team. We work alongside social prescribers in child mental health and safeguarding as we support the work of the 3 GP practices in Kendal. As the successful candidate, you will be involved in the identification, assessment, and support of our patients with complex health or social needs. You will help them to engage with their GP practice and local services to improve their long-term health and wellbeing and will assess the impact of the support that has been given.

You will identify and work with charitable and volunteer organisations, promoting their services to your patients as well as advising practice staff on the support available.

As the successful candidate, you will have a background in social or health care. You will be enthused by the prospect of working in a new role and have the skills to develop care pathways and drive change. You will enjoy working with people with complex needs on a one-to-one basis, be experienced at assessing risk, and be clear about what can and cant be done within the boundaries of this developing role.

You will be part of our developing Primary Care Network team - supported by our Clinical Director, PCN Manager and our well-established Integrated Community Care team, as well as our entire Primary Care Teams of our GP practices.

Hours - 30 hrs per week, 1. Take referrals from any of the practices within Kendal Primary Care Network.

1. 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 me.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. Draw on and increase the strengths and capacities of local communities, enabling local Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations and community groups to receive social prescribing referrals. Ensure they are supported, have 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.

Kendal Primary Care Network currently consists of three practices, Captain French Surgery, the James Cochrane Practice and Station House Surgery, all based in the same town, offering Primary Care to over 38,000 patients.