PCN Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW)inStamfordinStamfordPUBLISHED WED 30 OCT 2024
Lakeside Healthcare GrouprPMjjZs7
Empowerment of individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing by providing personalized support.
Opportunities to work collaboratively with diverse local partners, enhancing community connections and resources.
Ability to address various social determinants of health, such as housing and financial issues, thus tackling health inequalities.
A holistic approach to care that focuses on what matters to each patient, improving their overall quality of life.
Flexibility in working hours, including part-time options, allowing for a better work-life balance.
Engagement with a multidisciplinary team, facilitating continuous learning and professional development.
Contributing to the creation and enhancement of community services that directly impact the health and wellbeing of individuals.
Job Summary: PCN Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW) at Lakeside Healthcare Group, Stamford
The PCN Social Prescribing Link Worker will support individuals in managing their health and wellbeing through non-medical interventions. The role involves collaborating with GP practices, community organizations, and multidisciplinary teams to create personalized care plans for patients, particularly those with long-term conditions, mental health issues, or social needs.
Key responsibilities include:
- Engaging with local partners to connect patients to community resources for practical and emotional support.
- Managing referrals and providing sensitive assistance to address issues like debt, housing, and loneliness.
- Following up with patients to ensure ongoing engagement and satisfaction with services.
- Developing and maintaining an up-to-date directory of local resources and services.
- Training practice teams on effective referrals to the SPLW service.
- Monitoring the social prescribing impact and collaborating with local organizations to identify community needs and gaps in services.
Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills, a compassionate and resilient approach, and proficiency with computer systems (knowledge of SystmOne is a plus). Part-time hours may be considered.
Empowerment of individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing by providing personalized support.
Opportunities to work collaboratively with diverse local partners, enhancing community connections and resources.
Ability to address various social determinants of health, such as housing and financial issues, thus tackling health inequalities.
A holistic approach to care that focuses on what matters to each patient, improving their overall quality of life.
Flexibility in working hours, including part-time options, allowing for a better work-life balance.
Engagement with a multidisciplinary team, facilitating continuous learning and professional development.
Contributing to the creation and enhancement of community services that directly impact the health and wellbeing of individuals.
Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through GP referral to non-medical Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLWs) based in GP surgeries 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. Social Prescribing Link Workers work collaboratively with all local partners.
Social prescribing can help to strengthen community and personal resilience and reduces health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing, and physical inactivity, by increasing peoples 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.
- Part time hours will be considered
You will work alongside Social Prescribing Link Workers, Occupational Therapists and Care Coordinators within the PCN, with PCN GP Practices, as well as local community and voluntary services.
You will help provide a service that focuses on personalised care planning for each patient who requires this level of practical or emotional support.
- Build trust with the person and use active listening to focus on a what matters to me approach
- Receive and manage referrals from multiple sources
- Provide sensitive support to understand the wider issues that is impacting a persons health, such as debt, housing or loneliness
- Empower people to take control of their own health, wellbeing and independence
- Use the what matters to me approach to develop the personalised care and support plans with the help of multidisciplinary teams within the PCN
- Follow up with patients to ensure they are happy, engaged and if any further services are required
- Work with the team to review any unmet need within the community and potential creation of new services to tackle inequalities across the patch
- Apply a caring, resilient, and dynamic approach
- Understand the importance of relaying information whilst maintaining confidentiality
- Possess good computer skills to use local IT systems to support caseload. Knowledge of SystmOne is an advantage, although training will be provided
- Help maintain a directory of services and positive links within the community and local organisations
About us
Purpose of the role
Lakeside Healthcare are looking to employ a Social Prescribing Link Worker to assist in the provision of care for patients within our Primary Care Network Four Counties PCN.
The PCNs vision is to work together to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients and staff. You will work in close partnership with our member practice teams as well as health, statutory and voluntary groups to create effective help and support for those that need it whilst being a key point of contact to enable patients to be supported within their local community.
Empower people to take control of their own health and wellbeing through GP referral to non-medical Social Prescribing Link Workers SPLWs based in GP surgeries 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. Social Prescribing Link Workers work collaboratively with all local partners.
Social prescribing can help to strengthen community and personal resilience and reduces health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing, and physical inactivity, by increasing peoples 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.
Key responsibilities
- Liaise and engage with member practices to ensure Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLWs) are valued and effective members of the PCN team.
- Establish and maintain effective liaison with stakeholders including health, voluntary, social, financial and education resources
- Work in partnership with local voluntary and community organisation to build a comprehensive directory of local resource to design and support social prescribing
- Ensure information on local voluntary and community resource is always up to date to enable effective and accurate signposting and linking of patients with services
- Train and develop wider practice teams to improve SPLW referral suitability and effectiveness
- Establish and maintain comprehensive data and evaluation systems
- Produce quarterly reports in relation to service delivery and progress
- Partake in audit as directed by the PCN Clinical Direct
- Take referrals from and make referrals to a wide range of appropriate agencies
- Ensure the social prescribing function within the PCN is successful and delivers the required service in line with NSHE guidelines
- Co-produce personalised support plans with individuals, their families and carers that help them take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes
- Take a holistic approach, based on the persons priorities and the wider determinants of health
- When appropriate, refer patients back to other health professionals/agencies, if their requirements exceed the scope of a SPLW
- Ensure all relevant groups and organisations maintain basic procedures that include the consideration of vulnerable individuals and safeguarding concerns
- Work collectively with all local partners to ensure community groups are strong and sustainable
- Work with commissioners and local partners to identify unmet needs within the community and gaps in community provision and support development of new groups and services where needed, and thereby influence the development of services that will benefit this target population and tackle health and neighbourhood inequalities
- Work sensitively with people, their families and carers to capture key information, enable tracking of the impact of social prescribing on their health and wellbeing
- Provide one-to-one consultations (mindful of the organisations lone working policy), giving patients time to tell their stories and focus on what matters to me Work with the person, their families and carers and consider how they can all be supported through social prescribing
- Work with other link workers to create a wider team understanding of the service that can be offered to patients and opportunities for further improvement of the offer and patient outcomes
More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:
Here are 5 questions you could be
asked
if you apply for this job:
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1. Can you describe your understanding of social prescribing and its importance in primary care?
2. What do you think are the most pressing social determinants of health that you might encounter in this role?
3. Can you share your experience in working with individuals who have complex social needs? What approaches have you found to be most effective?
4. What strategies would you employ to build trust with patients who may be initially reluctant to engage with support services?
5. Have you previously collaborated with multidisciplinary teams? Can you give an example of how you contributed to a successful partnership?
1. Can you describe your understanding of social prescribing and its importance in primary care?
2. What do you think are the most pressing social determinants of health that you might encounter in this role?
3. Can you share your experience in working with individuals who have complex social needs? What approaches have you found to be most effective?
4. What strategies would you employ to build trust with patients who may be initially reluctant to engage with support services?
5. Have you previously collaborated with multidisciplinary teams? Can you give an example of how you contributed to a successful partnership?
More about MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health has emerged as a critical issue in the United Kingdom, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis highlighted the fragility of mental well-being across different demographics, from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly. It has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of mental health care, accessibility, and the stigmas often associated with mental illnesses.Learn more...
Useful skills for a PCN Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW):
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To work as a Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW) in the UK, particularly within a Primary Care Network (PCN), you'll need a combination of skills, knowledge, and personal attributes. Here are the key skills and competencies that are essential for the role:
1. Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication skills are vital for building relationships with patients, healthcare professionals, and community resources. You should be able to listen actively, empathize, and establish trust.
2. Cultural Competence: Understanding and respecting diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and values is crucial to effectively support individuals from various communities.
3. Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to assess situations, identify needs, and develop practical solutions to help patients navigate their health and well-being.
4. Knowledge of Local Resources: Familiarity with local community services, charities, and activities that can support patients in social, emotional, and practical aspects of life.
5. Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills to manage caseloads, maintain accurate records, and coordinate services effectively.
6. Motivational Interviewing: Skills in motivational interviewing techniques to encourage and empower patients to take an active role in their health and well-being.
7. Assessment Skills: Ability to conduct assessments to understand patients' needs and goals, and to tailor approaches accordingly.
8. Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and collaborate with other healthcare professionals, community groups, and stakeholders.
9. Resilience and Adaptability: The capacity to handle a range of situations and adapt to changing needs within the community and among patients.
10. Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing your own emotions, as well as recognizing and influencing the emotions of patients, to foster positive interactions.
11. Knowledge of Health and Social Care: A good understanding of the healthcare system, social determinants of health, and how they impact individuals' well-being.
12. Data Management and Reporting: Competency in managing data and reporting outcomes, which may be necessary for evaluation purposes.
13. Commitment to Continuous Learning: Openness to ongoing training and development to stay updated with best practices in social prescribing and community health initiatives.
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