Job Descriptions

Role Overview

The role of Community Connector is aligned to that of Social
Prescribing link Worker. Social prescribing generally involves three key
components: - (i) a referral from a healthcare professional,(ii) a consultation
with a social prescribing link worker and (iii) an agreed referral to a local
community activity or programme or service delivered by the Health Service or
other organisation. A Social Prescribing service empowers individuals to take
control of their health and wellbeing by referral to a social prescribing link
worker who adopts a holistic approach to assessment of their needs. Social
prescribing link workers work in true collaboration with individuals over a
period of time, assessing their needs and concerns and developing a person-
centred health plan based on these needs. The ultimate aim of the social
prescribing link worker is to connect people to community groups, organisations
and statutory services for practical and emotional support with the overall
purpose of improving health and wellbeing and improving social support. Social
prescribing link workers support existing groups to be accessible and
sustainable and working collaboratively with all local partners identify gaps
and needs regarding particular groups or interests.

Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and
personal resilience, and reduces health 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 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.

Description of the Post:

The Community Connector provides a specialist service to older
people similar to the service provided by the Social Prescribing Link Worker.
However, this is a specialist service for a specific cohort of older patients
upon discharge from the Integrated Care Team for Older Persons. This is the
only referral pathway for patients to be referred to the Community Connector.

The integrated care team for older persons is a specialist
multidisciplinary service primarily targeting and managing the complex care
needs of the older person with multiple co-morbidities across a continuum of
care. The overall aims of the service are to:

· Provide a specialist geriatric opinion using a multidisciplinary
approach to support older people with complex care needs.

· Develop a person-centred care planning approach that supports
robust and timely communication across care settings.

· Support appropriate and timely reduction of Emergency Department
(ED) attendance through the development of care pathways that support GPs and
others in assessment of older people with escalating care needs.

· Provide support and education to the older person, carers and
healthcare professionals.

Monitoring and evaluation:

· Work sensitively with clients to administer ICPOP agreed
evaluation tools in order to capture key information, enabling tracking of the
impact of social prescribing on participant health and wellbeing and other
outcomes measures.

· Document and report progress on health and wellbeing plans

· Provide progress reports and presentations to oversight groups and
funders detailing the progress of the service.

Reporting Relationship

You will report directly to the Service Manager in ALONE.

Responsibilities

· Build collaborative relationships with the ICPOP team and ensure
they understand the purpose and function of the service.

· Work on a one-to-one basis with individuals to improve health and
wellbeing in line with the Social Prescribing model Work with individuals on a
one-to-one basis, complete needs assessment and co-produce a plan to improve
health and wellbeing through social prescribing in partnership with the
individual and the Integrated Care Team for Older Persons.

· Provide non-judgemental support, respecting diversity and
lifestyle choices working from a strength-based approach.

· Book appointments with individuals, meet them personally,
follow-up cases and manage case load remaining as a point of contact and
support throughout the individual's social prescription.

· Support and encourage individuals to access appropriate services
in their community. Where appropriate, physically introduce people to community
groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable.
Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, feel included and receiving
good support. Where appropriate, attend the activity with the older person to
maximise the potential for enrolment and continued attendance.

· Work in partnership with health professionals and the Community
and voluntary sector.

· Participate in relevant meetings and under the guidance of the
ICPOP Team.

· Develop supportive relationships with local community
organisations, community groups and statutory services, to make timely,
appropriate and supported referrals for the person being introduced.

· Work closely with the local HSE health promotion and improvement
team to support the ongoing development of the programme taking an active part
in reviewing and developing the service and contribute to business planning.

· Contribute to the building and maintenance of a comprehensive
database of local community groups, resources and services and ensure
information on sources of voluntary and

community support is up to date at all times to enable effective and
accurate supported access and linking of individuals with services.

· Work with local partners to identify unmet needs within the
community and address gaps in community provision.

· Work in partnership with all local agencies to raise awareness of
the community connection programme and how partnership working can reduce
pressure on statutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic
approach to care.

· Any other duties within the general requirements of the above that
may be assigned

Essential skills & experience

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

A minimum of 3 years' experience in a community development OR
healthcare OR related field.

3rd Level qualification in a Social, Community, Health or related
field; Health A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully
competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be
in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to
render regular and efficient service.

Further information

35 hours per week

This is a 1-year fixed term contract.

Core hours are generally Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 but you may
be required to work outside of those hours i.e., evenings or weekends on
occasion to meet the needs of the service.

Regular travel is required with this role.

Remote Induction and training will be carried out on commencement in
role.

The salary scale offered for this position is depending on
experience.

Full clean drivers’ license and use of a car is required.

Applicants that are successful to the interview stage but are not
offered a position may be placed on a reserve panel and their CV’s will be kept
on file.

Benefits

· Comprehensive Training & Development

· 24 Days annual leave pro rated, increase to 25 days after 2 years’
service.

· Pension Scheme- after 12 months service

· Death in Service – after 6 months’ probation successfully
completed.

· Travel Saver Schemes

· Bike to work Scheme

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Paid maternity & Paternity leave – after 18 months service

· Comprehensive Training & Development

· Mileage Policy in place for applicable roles

· Progression Opportunities

· Sick Pay scheme – after 6 months’ probation successfully
completed.

· Horizontal transfer policy

Skills

Experience

• 3 years