Lead Social Prescribing Link Worker
Job Description
Job summary
The Lead Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW) will provide day-to-day leadership for the PCNs Social Prescribing team, supporting and developing colleagues to deliver an efficient, person-centred service and a core component of emerging Intergrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs). Working closely with the PCN Manager, the post holder will help ensure the service runs smoothly, aligns with local priorities, and supports people's wellbeing. Please note: this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient applications are received.
Main duties of the job
The role includes team leadership, complex case work and service development.
It also involves supporting safe and consistent ways of working, contributing to quality improvement, and acting as a senior point of contact for safeguarding or complex situations. The lead SPLW will build strong partnerships across primary care, local statutory services, community organisations and the VCSE sector to improve people's access to the support they need.
About us
Primary Care Networks (PCNs) were established in July 2019 as part of the NHS Long Term Plan to improve the quality and accessibility of care by encouraging collaboration among various healthcare services and community organisations. One of 7 PCNs in Coventry, we are a collaboration of ten GP practices in the East of Coventry with 86,000 registered patients. Our purpose, values and vision underpin our beliefs on the necessities of a healthcare service, and what we aim to achieve, both now and in the future. They guide the actions and decisions made by our whole team, ensuring they align with our commitment to prioritise personalised care for the people of Sowe Valley PCN.
Job responsibilities
Leadership and Management
- Provide day-to-day leadership, line management and supervision to SPLWs across the PCN
- Help support a psychologically safe, supportive and inclusive working environment that promotes wellbeing, professional development and reflective practice
- Support recruitment, induction, training and retention of Social Prescribing staff
- Develop clear role expectations, caseload management frameworks and consistent ways of working across the team
- Act as a senior point of contact for complex case discussions, safeguarding concerns and escalation
- Work in conjunction with the PCN Manager to lead the ongoing development of the Social Prescribing service in line with PCN priorities, the NHS Long Term Plan and local population health needs
- Collaborate with the PCN Manager to plan, implement and monitor quality improvement initiatives, ensuring robust governance and reporting arrangements
- Ensure services are equitable, accessible and responsive to people experiencing health inequalities
- Co-develop and implement standard operating procedures, pathways and outcome measures with the PCN Manager and relevant stakeholders
- Contribute to audits, service evaluations and performance reporting, supporting the PCN Manager to demonstrate impact and value
- Use insight, feedback and data to inform continuous improvement and service redesign
- Hold a reduced caseload of complex individuals requiring advanced intervention, co-ordination or multi-agency input
- Undertake holistic, person-centred assessments using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach
- Support individuals to identify goals, improve wellbeing and access appropriate community, statutory and VCSE support
- Model best practice and mentor staff in advanced engagement and behaviour change approaches
- Build and maintain strong relationships with GP practices, VCSE organisations, local authorities and other integrated neighbourhood team partners
- Represent Sowe Valley PCN Social Prescribing at internal and external meetings, forums and networks
- Support the development of sustainable community assets and referral pathways
- Work collaboratively with PCN colleagues from other teams and within practices (e.g. Care Coordinators, Paramedics, FPCs, Mental Health Practitioners) to support integrated care
- Act as a safeguarding link between the PCN Social Prescribing team and GP practices, ensuring compliance with local and national safeguarding policies
- Ensure accurate, timely and confidential record keeping in line with information governance requirements
- Promote duty of candour, professional boundaries and ethical practice
- Identify risks within the service, escalating appropriately
- Provide regular supervision, appraisal and development planning for SPLWs
- Identify training needs and support continuous professional development
- Facilitate peer learning, reflective practice sessions and team meetings
- Support students, trainees or volunteers where applicable
- Adhere to PCN policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.
- Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training
- Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training
- Take part in an annual appraisal
- Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018
- Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Infection Control policies and procedures
- Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations
- Perform general administrative duties such as locating of clinical files and working with the administrative team as required
- Document in patient notes in the agreed PCN format
- Report untoward incidents such as complaints, clinical emergencies or injury to senior staff
- Strive to maintain quality within the PCN, and alert other team members to issues of quality and risk, assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
- Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance
- Work effectively with individuals in other services and organisations to meet patients needs
- Effectively manage own time, workload and resources
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Able to support a positive, inclusive and reflective team culture
- Committed to learning, improvement and high standards of ethical practice
- Able to manage the emotional aspects of the role and support others with sensitivity in complex or challenging situations
- Professional, reliable and able to maintain confidentiality
- Able to maintain appropriate boundaries and work with sensitivity in challenging situations
- Adaptable and open to new ways of working
- Committed to ongoing learning, development and reflective practice
- Positive, proactive attitude and a willingness to contribute ideas for improvement
- Compassionate, respectful and committed to person-centred practice
- Contributes to a supportive, inclusive and collaborative team environment
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 3 qualification in Social Prescribing or equivalent ...
