Job Vacancy: Head of Social Prescribing

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Head of Social Prescribing Service

Salary: Competitive salary offered 

Hours: 37.5 Hours      (Negotiable)

Location: Virtual, but with occasional presence in Health Exchange’s offices at Avoca Court, Birmingham; and visits to the Social Prescribing team working in NHS locations across the Midlands.

Accountable to: Chief Executive Officer

 

JOB PURPOSE:

The Head of the Social Prescribing (SP) Service will lead and manage Health Exchange’s Social Prescribing Programme, which currently involves the management of multiple contracts providing Social Prescribing and Primary Care Network (PCN) Link Worker services across Birmingham, Sandwell, Coventry, Rugby and Warwickshire. The Head will ensure the effective and efficient delivery of Social Prescribing services, including any targets set out in the contracts; and be responsible for the development and growth of the programme – as Health Exchange seeks to increase the scope of service provision in existing areas and expand its geographical reach across the Midlands.

The Head will lead and be responsible for the management and support to the Social Prescribing team; and lead Health Exchange’s relationship management with NHS stakeholders who commission its SP services (including Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), PCNs, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and General Practices).

The Head of Social Prescribing is also a member of Health Exchange’s Senior Management Team, and s/he will therefore help to lead executive delivery of the whole organization to meet its strategic goals as set by the charity’s Governing Board.

 

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Head of Social Prescribing will be responsible to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the development and delivery of all Health Exchange’s Social Prescribing Services; and as a member of the Senior Management Team, to lead and support the wider executive team in ensuring Health Exchange meets its strategic goals. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Senior Management Team
  • As a member of the Senior Management Team, support the CEO and contribute to the organisational management of Health Exchange and successful implementation of its strategic goals and objectives.
  • Lead the Social Prescribing Team, developing team workplans in support of strategic objectives, and managing the related staff and volunteers.
  • Contribute to Health Exchange’s budget planning processes, and manage the resources associated with the Social Prescribing portfolio effectively.
  • Represent Health Exchange publicly at meetings, conferences and other events.
  • Keep the CEO and SMT informed of all relevant matters, including developments and proposed legislation, which may affect the operation of Health Exchange’s Social Prescribing services.
Social Prescribing
  • Working closely with the CEO and SMT, lead the operational management of Health Exchange’s Social Prescribing Services to achieve all of its agreed key performance indicators.
  • Working closely with the CEO and SMT, lead and manage the further strategic and operational development of Health Exchange’s Social Prescribing Services.
  • Lead the development of new Social Prescribing contract offerings and business plans for NHS and any other Commissioners interested in purchasing Health Exchange’s SP services.
  • Oversee and monitor the use of Health Exchange resources to maximise the overall activity requirements for each contract.
  • Lead the relationship management with individual NHS Commissioners (ICBs, PCNs, CCGs and GP practices) around Health Exchange’s Social Prescribing services, supporting the Social Prescribing Coordinator as necessary with her/his visits to the teams in situ or with any relevant SP business meetings.
  • Support and guide the Social Prescribing Coordinator with her/his direct line management of the SP teams and team members, ensuring effective engagement and communications with all operational staff.
  • Support and guide the Social Prescribing Coordinator with her/his development and direct line management of SP volunteers.
  • Lead the preparation and on-time delivery of Social Prescribing operational reports as and when required by Health Exchange and Commissioners.
  • Lead compliance by the Social Prescribing team of all Health Exchange’s policies and procedures.
 Other Duties
  • Undertake any other duties considered appropriate.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal:      Chief Executive Officer; Senior Management Team; Social Prescribing Team.

External:     NHS Commissioners; Strategic Partners. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential:
  • A Degree, or Higher National Diploma in a relevant subject.
  • Experience of the NHS, healthcare or voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors.
  • Demonstrable experience of leading a health or social service operational service, supporting the successful delivery of complex public service contracts, and managing or coordinating projects and volunteers (paid or unpaid in a health or community service setting).
  • Demonstrable experience of supporting the remote management of teams.
  • Proven ability to inspire, motivate and work with a diverse range of people in a collaborative management style; and in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, adapting quickly to rapidly changing situations.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Self-motivated and results-oriented, with excellent organisational and time management skills, including the ability to think creatively when faced with new problems, and to work to deadlines and flexible hours as needed.
  • Self-confidence, personal credibility and the ability to support and challenge others appropriately.
  • Flexibility and willingness to get the job done, whether that involves high-level strategic and technical work or basic administration tasks.
  • Ability to deal with information in a confidential manner and respond sensitively and appropriately.
  • Excellent administrative and IT skills (including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), attention to detail and an ability to maintain accurate records and produce clear written reports.
  • Commitment to Health Exchange’s mission and values.
Desirable
  • Postgraduate qualification in a related field.
  • Knowledge and understanding of Information Governance, the Patient Confidentiality Act and the Data Protection Act.
  • Excellent up-to-date working knowledge of UK health legislation.
  • Clinical/Community Health experience.
  • Experience of coaching and supporting managers.
  • Leadership experience of working within a Senior Management Team and in a similar role. 

Terms and Conditions

Availability: This is a permanent post, available from October 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter. Appointment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire and the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

Salary scale: Competitive, the entry point to be determined by level of experience.

Annual leave: 22 days per annum plus 8 public holidays (pro rata); rising to 24 days per annum after five years continuous service.

Probationary period: Six months.

Notice period: During the initial probationary period, notice will be one month on either side. Subsequent to satisfactory review and confirmation in the post the notice period will be three months on either side.

 Pension rights: The postholder will be enrolled automatically in Health Exchange’s Aegon UK pension scheme.

 Hours of working: This is preferably a full-time role, working 37.5 hours per week, but this is negotiable.

Data Protection: Personal data is processed in accordance with Health Exchange’s Privacy Policy which is available at https://www.healthexchange.org.uk/privacy-notice/.

 

Equal Opportunities:

The policy and practice of Health Exchange require that all staff are afforded equal opportunities within employment. Entry into employment and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Where suitably qualified individuals are available, selection committees will contain at least one member of each sex.

 

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials by the closing date of 10th October 2022:

  • A covering letter, explaining your interest in the post and demonstrating how, by your skills and experience, you meet the requirements of the person specification.
  • An up-to-date CV
  • The names and contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. We will assume that we may approach them at any stage unless you tell us otherwise.

Applications should be sent to: recruitment@healthexchange.org.uk

Any enquiries related to the application process should be directed in the first instance to Elayne Dwyer (elayne.dwyer@healthexchange.org.uk).