Social Prescriber

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a new Social Prescriber on a 12 month fixed term to join our Barnsley PCN. The successful candidate will be based across the Barnsley Borough.

The main purpose of this post is to deliver a Social Prescribing Service to the patients within the Barnsley Primary Care Network. Our Social Prescribers will focus on specific areas of need and specific patient cohorts in supporting patients of all areas.

The post holder will work with the Practices within the PCN and additional services to support patients by providing a patient centred assessment with the aim of addressing all issues that are affecting the health and wellbeing. The post holder will ensure Social Prescribing empowers individuals by connecting them to other people, community groups and statutory services that take decisive action to reach positive outcomes.

Social Prescribing has an important role to play in strengthening personal resilience by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical activity and by increasing peoples active involvement with their local communities. It can have a significant benefit 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.

Please note if a large number of applications are received then we may close the advert early.

Main duties of the job

Assess how far a patients health and wellbeing needs can be met by services and other opportunities available in the community.

Co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan to address the patients health and wellbeing needs by introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services.

Evaluate how far the actions in the care and support plan are meeting the individuals health and wellbeing needs.

Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes.

Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them.

Take a holistic approach, based on the persons priorities, and the wider determinants of health.

Promoting social prescribing and its role in self-management.

Help to develop the knowledge on how to identify individuals suitable for a social prescribing referral.

Build relationships with key staff across the PCN and Neighbourhood teams, attending relevant meetings and becoming part of the wider network team.

Please refer to the attached job description to see all the duties of the post.

About us

Barnsley Primary Care Network:

Barnsley has established one super Primary Care Network (PCN) of over 250,000 patients which includes all of GP practices across Barnsley. This is supported by six Neighbourhood Networks building on our successful and existing model of neighbourhood working; this enables us to maintain and focus on the specific needs of each local area whilst allowing integration at a borough wide level.

BHF are fully committed to ensuring equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as this is embedded in our values. We are also a committed employer under the Disability Confident Scheme. Therefore, should you wish to discuss any reasonable adjustments or assistance you might need in the application or interview process, please contact a member of the HR team at syicb-barnsley.bhf-hrteam@nhs.net and we will be happy to help.

Please note that interviews may take place prior to the advert closing as and when suitable applications are received. If a suitable candidate is appointed the role may close early, therefore please do not hesitate to submit your application.

Details

• Date posted: 02 September 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £32,204.82 a year (FTE)
• Contract: Fixed term
• Duration: 12 months
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: B0243-26-0048
• Job locations: B H F Priory Centre, Pontefract Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S71 5PN, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE:

The job description and person specification are an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonable be required by their line manager.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Social prescribing link workers will take referrals from Professionals along with patient self-referrals expanding from 2020/21 to take referrals from a wide range of agencies in order to support the health and wellbeing of patients.

Key responsibilities

The role will require social prescribing link workers to manage and prioritise their own caseload, in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of their population. Where required and as appropriate, the social prescribing link workers will refer people back to other health professionals within the PCN.

REFERRALS:

Be proactive with developing strong links with all local agencies to encourage referrals, recognising what they need to be confident in the service to make an appropriate referral.

Work with all local agencies to raise awareness of social prescribing and how it can reduce pressure on statutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic approach.

Be proactive in encouraging self-referrals and connecting with all local communities, particularly those communities that statutory agencies may find hard to reach.

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY GROUPS AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS:

Forge strong links with local voluntary organisations, community and neighbourhood level groups, utilising their networks and building on what is already available to create a map or menu of community groups.

Develop supportive relationships with local voluntary organisations, community groups and statutory services to make timely, appropriate referrals.

Ensure that local voluntary organisations and community groups have procedures in place for ensuring that vulnerable individuals are safe and, where there are any safeguarding concerns these are promptly escalated.