Social Prescriber

Colchester Medical Practice has an exciting opportunity for a social prescriber to join our practice team on a full-time basis for 37 hours a week.
Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and well-being through referral to non-medical link workers who give time to focus on what matters to each individual, taking a holistic approach and 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;


• Providing personalised support to vulnerable individuals;


• Working in partnership with the practice team to support patients and promote positive lifestyle changes, with the aim of 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 in order to promote health and well-being in order to support 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, to provide personalised person-centred support.


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  If you are a local community champion or already a social prescriber, and want a new and exciting challenge, then we would love to hear from you.

You will need to have the following skills :

• Experience of working within healthcare, the voluntary or community sectors, supporting vulnerable groups;


• Diploma Level 2 in Health and Social Care, or equivalent qualification or experience;


• Strong listening and communication skills;


• You will be familiar with local resources and services and how to access them;


• Motivated by helping people, with care and empathy;


• Ability to deliver 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 the ability to support their development;


• Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies; Experience and confidence in the delivery of lifestyle change interventions.