Background Information for Candidates Primary Care Networks From July 2019, NHS England made funding available for Primary Care Networks, through the national GP contract, for the creation of 7.5 Link Workers (FTE) who will work across the 7 Primary Care Networks in Sefton. A Primary Care Network (PCN) consist of groups of general practices working together with a range of local providers, including across primary care, community services, social care and the voluntary sector to offer more personalised, coordinated health and social care to their local population. Each PCN serves a patient population of between 30 and 50k. There are 7 PCN’s in Sefton. These are Bootle, Seaforth and Litherland, Crosby and Maghull, Formby, Ainsdale and Birkdale, Central Southport and North Southport. Primary Care Networks are an integral part of the recently published NHS Long-Term Plan which introduces this new role of social prescribing link workers into their multi-disciplinary teams as part of the expansion to the primary care workforce. This is an opportunity to work collaboratively with these developing PCN’s to establish this new role and shape social prescribing in Sefton. Social Prescribing Link Workers In December and January Sefton CVS recruited 7.5 FTE Social Prescribing Link Workers on behalf of host organisations, to support the delivery of a social prescribing service for Primary Care Networks in Sefton as part of the award winning Living Well Sefton programme. The social prescribing link workers are employed by a range of partner organisations working across the borough but function as one social prescribing team alongside Living Well Mentors in the wider service. We are now pleased to be recruiting a further two Social Prescribing Link Workers to be employed by Sefton CVS to work in the Bootle and the Seaforth and Litherland Primary Care Networks alongside the existing Link Workers. The Social Prescribing Link Workers will support and empower people by, Taking a holistic approach to health Focusing on ‘what matters to me’ Connecting people to the wide-ranging and vibrant VCF sector in Sefton Working as part of the multidisciplinary team within general practice The social prescribing link workers will also work with community groups and organisations to ensure that they are supported to receive social prescribing referrals. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new and developing service and we are looking to recruit people with, Experience of working with people to support and empower them to take control of their own health 1 | Page Social Prescribing LINK Workers Background Information September2019 An ability to build rapport quickly and develop good working relationships with a broad range of people Extensive knowledge of the VCF sector preferably developed in Sefton An ability to work independently and efficiently in a fast paced and demanding role 2 | Page Social Prescribing LINK Workers Background Information September2019 .