Job Introduction

Fixed Term Contract – Up to 12 Months (Possible Extension)

Please Note: A Full UK Driving License and Access to a Vehicle is an Essential Requirement

Turning Point is a leading Social Enterprise which supports people with a wide range of complex needs across Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Substance Use and Public Health. Right now, we are now looking for a talented candidate to work within our new Social Prescribing service in Birmingham as a Social Prescribing Specialist Link Worker. The successful candidate will specialise in one of the below divisions of the team:

• Substance Use
• Homelessness 
• Learning Disability & Autism
• Complex Mental Health

Passionate about people, you’ll enjoy the opportunity and support to enhance your own life and career too, as you gain the experience and training you need to progress in your career within a social enterprise. So if you’re ambitious and ready for a fresh challenge with a sector leader then this could be the opportunity for you.

Role Responsibility

As a Social Prescribing Specialist Link Worker you’ll have the chance to make a real difference to the lives of the people we support by empowering individuals within the geographical area and the wider surrounding areas to take control of their health and wellbeing by supporting people over time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and take a holistic approach to improving an individual’s health and wellbeing.

The Social Prescribing Specialist Link Worker will be accountable for:

• Providing personalised information and advice via 1 to 1 sessions based on specialist experience and knowledge
• Facilitating problem solving and goal setting skills through 1 to 1 wellbeing sessions including the development of individual wellbeing plans
• Facilitate and connect people to diverse community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Link workers will support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local diverse partners
• Reducing health inequalities (in relation to timely access and outcomes) and wellbeing inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing people’s active involvement with their local diverse communities

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Requirements:

• A good working knowledge of the geographical area in which you are assigned to and organisations that the service could benefit from working with
• Ability to actively listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way
• Able to provide a culturally sensitive service, by supporting people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
• Have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when the person’s needs are beyond the scope of the link worker role – e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner
• Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets
• Commitment to collaborative working with all local agencies (including VCSE organisations and community groups). Able to work with others to reduce hierarchies and find creative solutions to community issues
• Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines
• High level of written and oral communication skills
• Understanding of the needs of small volunteer-led community groups and ability to support their development
• Able to provide motivational coaching to support people’s behaviour change
• Knowledge of, and ability to work to, policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety
• Knowledge of the personalised care approach
• Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities, individuals, their families and carers
• Knowledge of community development approaches
• Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports
• Knowledge of the social and health needs of people with varying degrees of complexity
• Caseload management of a complex nature
• Demonstrable skills and knowledge in assessing risk presented by clients to themselves and others
• Harm reduction, suicide and self-harm awareness
• Management of incidents of a violent or aggressive nature

About us

What Benefits Will I Receive?

We know reward looks different to each person and so whether its ways to make your money go further, a culture supporting recognition and celebration, or opportunities to boost your career – we want to support you in every way we can with our total reward package that includes:

• Comprehensive learning and development opportunities so we can invest in your future – we’re proud to have a silver accreditation from Investors in People. Choose from our range of courses to gain recognised qualifications
• 28 days’ paid holiday a year, increasing with each year of service up to 30 days. Plus the option to buy or sell additional holidays and spread the cost
• An exclusive discounts hub for TP colleagues, to help make your money go further – including high street shopping, pubs and restaurants, mobile phones, gym memberships, and much more. You’ll also have access to the Blue Light Card, for even more discounts and savings!
• Flexible working solutions to support your work-life balance
• Life Assurance of up to 3x annual salary and a competitive Pension Scheme to support your savings and security
• Access to our Rightsteps Therapy service – free, confidential telephone based counselling sessions, access to an online wellbeing platform, and a Financial Education hub to support your total wellbeing
• A 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme including a Digital GP, legal advice and more – all free to you and your immediate family
• Recognition awards to recognise colleagues’ inspirational work and dedication, as well as Long Service bonuses to celebrate your commitment to us
• Flexible benefit options including a Cycle to Work scheme and interest-free Season Ticket Loans
• A £300 bonus if you successfully refer a friend as a new colleague through our Refer a Friend scheme, as a thanks from us!
• Enhanced Infection/Prevention Control Measures, including the use of PPE, social distancing and regular testing
• Following all government guidance applicable to our services as a minimum and ensuring our teams are trained effectively
• Strongly encouraging colleagues to receive a vaccination to keep themselves and those around them safe, enabling access through time off & covering transport costs
• Regular updates, FAQs, myth busting from Turning Point’s clinical team as well as wellbeing seminars which provide support on a variety of topics

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

Turning Point