Social Prescribing Link Worker

There is wide recognition that peoples health is determined primarily by a range of social, economic and environmental factors. The NHS has published a bold new vision for Social Prescribing, a relatively new function within Primary Care that seeks to address peoples needs in a non-medicalised way, focusing on What Matters to Me to agree personalised care plans, and then support individuals to take greater control of their health, by connecting them to diverse community groups and statutory services for both practical and emotional support.

An existing team of social prescribers have already been working with Primary Care to provide social prescribing. This scheme is highly valued and we are looking to expand the existing capacity and enhance the role to encompass more complex case load, and integrate with existing clinical teams to work on preventative health projects

Primary Care Networks were established in 2019 as part of NHS Englands long term plan to enable services to work collaboratively to meet the needs of patients. As Primary Care Networks are becoming the vehicle of change for most primary care services, the NHS recognised the need to evolve other services and integrate Primary Care Networks into a newly formed Integrated Care System. Integrated care systems are geographically based partnerships that bring together providers and commissioners of NHS services with local authorities and other local partners to plan, co-ordinate and commission health and care.

Main duties of the job

Working within practices to assess and allocate referrals from a wide range of agencies, including GP practices and multi-disciplinary teams

Working with practices and patients to be a representative within the newly forming Integrated Care System.

Handle your own caseload of more complex cases

Support practices undertaking and delivering elements of health and social care population health projects

Supporting the service specifications detailed in the PCN DES contract.

Promote the service and educate relevant parties

Oversee the data, reporting and evaluation of the service to strive for continuous improvement and community development

Southend East PCN is located at Norton Place in Shoebury, along Ness Road. We have our own PCN building which is extremely active and is in use by our 5 member practices in the local area. We cover approx 37,000 patients and offer a range of appointments from our wide range of staff, fully utilising the ARRS budget. Our team consists of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, social prescribers, health trainers, paramedics, physiotherapists and assistant practitioners. We have 2 clinical directors who are partners in two local surgeries, and an operations manager to provide support wherever needed. We have a strong digital presence and have employed a Digital Transformational Lead, to help our PCN network with other businesses and mature over time.