Sample job description (Band 5 equivalent)

Writing the SPLW job description

The WHISWHIS— World Health Innovation SummitEstablished in 2015 to improve health and wellbeing outcomes through innovation, education and partnerships. Co-developer (with GSPA) of the WHIS Social Prescribing Link Worker programme. & GSPAGSPA— Global Social Prescribing AllianceInternational alliance of social prescribing practitioners, researchers and partner organisations working to grow the social prescribing workforce globally. Co-developer (with WHIS) of this programme. programme provides a sample SPLWSPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. job description as a starting point. Use it; adapt it to local context.

Pay and grading

The SPLWSPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. role should be paid and graded at an appropriate skilled-professional level — recognising:

• the complexity of the situations people present with
• the autonomy the SPLWSPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. works with day-to-day
• the multi-agency working the role demands, including supporting community groups to receive referrals.

Different countries have different pay structures. Whatever yours uses, benchmark against equivalent professional roles, not against administrative roles.

What the JD covers

The template is intentionally broad. It includes elements that a larger team might choose to separate out into a managerial / lead SPLWSPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. role — for instance, line management of other SPLWsSPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'., service development, or strategic relationship building.

For most JDs, expect:

• Person-facing time (the bulk of the role)
• Co-producing personalised care and support plans
• Connecting people to community-based offers
• Working with the MDTMDT— Multidisciplinary teamA team of professionals from different disciplines working together with the person at the centre. and clinical colleagues
• Working with community-sector partners and contributing to community development
• Recording, reporting, and outcome measurement
• Training, supervision and CPDCPD— Continuing Professional DevelopmentOngoing learning and reflection used to maintain and improve competence in a role.
• Optionally: peer support, mentoring, service development.

What to be careful with

• Don't write clinical responsibilities into the JD. The role is non-clinical by design.
• Don't conflate SPLWSPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. with care co-ordinator or HWB coachHWB coach— Health and Wellbeing CoachA personalised care role focused on supporting behaviour change and self-management. Works alongside SPLWs and care co-ordinators.. They are different roles. (See the Personalised care team lesson.)
• Don't quietly absorb administrative or reception duties into the role. SPLWsSPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. are not surgery cover.
• Do write in protected time for CPDCPD— Continuing Professional DevelopmentOngoing learning and reflection used to maintain and improve competence in a role., peer networks, and community outreach. If it isn't in the JD, it doesn't happen.

Recruitment without losing lived experience

The WHISWHIS— World Health Innovation SummitEstablished in 2015 to improve health and wellbeing outcomes through innovation, education and partnerships. Co-developer (with GSPA) of the WHIS Social Prescribing Link Worker programme. programme explicitly recognises that personal qualities and lived experience can be a strength for the SPLWSPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. role. Don't over-specify formal qualifications — you may screen out candidates who would be excellent. Apprenticeships, volunteering and prior frontline experience are all valid routes in.