Wellbeing Community Connector

Job summary

The Adult Wellbeing Services (AWS) are delivered by a partnership between County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust (CDDFT) and the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) and includes the Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) Service. WBFL is a commissioned service in County Durham based on the principle of Your Wellbeing, your way. Based on the model of behaviour change, the team encourages people living and working across County Durham to take small steps to better health in a way tailored to suit them.

The Community Connector role will be aligned to a specific Primary Care Network area (PCN) The post holder and team will support and undertake asset mapping within their allocated PCN area to ensure a joined-up approach of service development and delivery.

In addition to managing their own caseload of clients, the post holder will also line manage a team of Wellbeing Practitioners, to develop, support and manage their caseload of clients providing lifestyle and behaviour change support particularly in the five ways to wellbeing.

The post holder will liaise with a variety of partners, community and voluntary organisations across the PCN area to develop a strong relationship network and promoting the wider programme.

Excellent communication skills and local knowledge are essential in order to engage and work with members of the public. Willingness to undertake mandatory and role specific training within a specified timescale will also be essential.

Main duties of the job

The main role of the Wellbeing Community Connector will be to support the Wellbeing for Life Locality Co-ordinator and Adult Wellbeing Services Programme Manager with the overall development and implementation of the service specifically within their assigned PCN area. The role will support clients with initial strengthening of community and personal resilience and reduce health and wellbeing inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing peoples active involvement with their local communities. The post holder will particularly work with people with long term conditions (including support for mental wellbeing), those who are lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing. Essentially the role will be about connecting and enabling people to access the range of support they require.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Job responsibilities

The Community Connector role will be aligned to a specific Primary Care Network area (Teesdale PCN).

The post holder will engage and work with a wide range of partners and local voluntary and community groups within their PCN area, to develop joint wellbeing activities, ensuring that specific groups are supported by the service. The post holder and team will apply asset-based community development, engagement and consultation techniques as appropriate within their PCN area, to ensure a joined-up approach to service development and delivery.

They will work closely with the Community Wellbeing Hub and Volunteer Officers to support Wellbeing Hubs and volunteers within their area.

The post holder will liaise with a variety of partners, community and voluntary organisations across the PCN area to develop a strong relationship network and promoting the wider programme.

To work with partners and existing groups to develop the referral pathways for support.

Excellent communication skills and local knowledge are essential to engage and work with members of the public. Willingness to undertake mandatory and role specific training within a specified timescale will also be essential.

In addition to managing their own caseload of clients, the post holder will directly line manage a team of Wellbeing Practitioners, (including carrying out one to one supervisions and appraisals) to develop, support and manage their caseload of clients providing lifestyle and behaviour change support particularly in the five ways to wellbeing.

Support clients on a 121 and group basis, both face to face and using digital platforms, including social media and video content, to support them through behaviour and lifestyle change by developing step change action plans and referring to relevant specialist services.

To carry out service evaluations in line with the project plan and learning from best practice.

To develop new services / activities for the community based on identified need.

To support the Wellbeing for Life Locality Coordinator and Adult Wellbeing Services Programme Manager in the development and implementation of the service specifically, but not exclusively, within their assigned PCN area.

To support staff in the development and management of their caseloads, providing support and quality monitoring to all aspects of their roles.

To support staff to develop new activities / groups for the community based on identified health need.

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 me.

To manage and prioritise your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload.

Alongside other members of the Adult Wellbeing Services teams, work collaboratively with all local partners to contribute towards supporting the local VCSE organisations and community groups to become sustainable and that community assets are nurtured, through sharing intelligence regarding any gaps or problems identified in local provision with commissioners and local authorities.

To source a holistic package of support to assist the development of skills and knowledge and in particular assisting individuals to progress and achieve their health goals.

To signpost or refer individual clients to a range of health improvement lifestyle intervention, primary and secondary care services and voluntary and community support.

To deliver Mini Healthchecks with 1:1 clients and groups as an engagement tool in line with locally agreed standardised quality assured protocols and practice.

To apply solution focused problem solving to deal with the wider determinants of health and lifestyle issues including healthy eating, physical activity, smoking and alcohol.

To demonstrate innovative and creative practice to engage with vulnerable and or disadvantaged groups and utilise support from the volunteers in engaging with communities.

To promote the micro grant programme assisting with form completion and setting up of local grant panels.

To be responsible for data management of clients including inputting information onto databases and creating reports.

To work flexibly as part of the team and to provide cover for colleagues as required maintaining appropriate staffing levels across the wider programme.

There is a requirement to work flexibly including some weekends and evenings depending on service need.

To audit and maintain resources, stock and equipment levels.

To contribute to knowledge sharing and learning before, during and after projects, and to the development of a culture that helps colleagues become confident in using the appropriate technology and develop skills.

To undertake any training and development deemed appropriate by your line manager.

To promote activities, including managing events and publicity campaigns

Person specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• A substantial understanding of the factors affecting both physical and mental and wellbeing. (I)
• A substantial understanding of the challenges faced by those with poor health literacy and the ability to support individuals to develop appropriate skills. (I)
• A good understanding of behaviour change models. (I)
• A professional and pleasant manner with the ability to negotiate changes with a wide range of people and at all levels whilst actively promoting the 5 ways to wellbeing.(I)
• A good understanding of Asset Based Community Development Approach and experience of applying the tools. (A)
• Ability to handle sensitive data with confidentiality. (A)
• Ability to work as an effective ambassador with distinct groups / populations and the ability to evidence your success in reaching the client group and effectively supporting behaviour change.
• Ability to act upon own initiative, respond to changing situations. (A)
• Very good organisational and time management skills. (A)
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and listening skills.
• Very good, sound IT skills with experience in a range of Office packages. (A)

Desirable

• Knowledge of community development approaches
• Good report writing skills, with the ability to collate, analyse and present data clearly and concisely
• Experience of multi sector working. (A)

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 4 / Higher National Certificates (HNC) or 2yrs equivalent experience.
• Able to demonstrate substantial overall topic based training covering a range of wellbeing and lifestyle disciplines, including mental wellbeing

Desirable

• Adult training qualification e.g. CTTLS or equivalent experience. (A)
• RSPH Level 2 Understanding Health Improvement. (A)
• Level 2 Mental Health Awareness qualification (A)
• Health Trainer qualification (City and Guilds Level 3) with core competencies completed. (A)
• Level 2 SCIP Training
• First Aid Qualification (A)

Special Requirements

Essential

• The ability to regularly travel independently across County Durham within the working day. (A)
• Flexibility and ability to work outside normal hours including evenings and weekends. (A)

Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience of working in the community or voluntary sector. (A)
• Substantial experience of Asset Based Community Development Approach and experience of applying the tools. (A)
• Very good experience of evaluating projects or services, using a range of techniques. (A)
• Very good experience of working within a team. (I)
• Good experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of settings
• Experience of working with volunteers and assisting them to develop. (A)
• Experience of delivering health awareness campaigns.

Desirable

• Experience of line managing staff or volunteers, undertaking supervision and appraisals