PCN managers: Hybrid welfare advice link worker advert
Having met with many social prescribing link workers and their managers over the summer to understand interest in developing the hybrid Advice Link Worker role across NE London’s boroughs and PCNs we are pleased to say that there is significant interest in developing this role and an understanding the benefits of it to patients, GP Practices and social prescribing.
However we are aware of a number of challenges with the adoption of this new role, including during the training period and longer term. We have therefore decided to modify to seek to meet some of these challenges in order to be able to work with you to further consider the opportunity and to do everything we can to make it work.
The deadline for Expressions of Interest has been extended to Monday 30 September.
For more information and details about how to express an interest, as well as the conditions for success, please email: nelondonicb.personalisedcare@nhs.net
A summary of the new offer is outlined below:
| 1. Theory course giving an understating of advice issues Learning to Advise – Advice UK accredited |
| October to February: Commitment 1 day per week. 15 days/half days in person and on-line. The Learning to Advise course covers theory and understanding of advice issues with sessions on the following areas: Welfare Benefits, Housing, Debt, Arrears, Council Tax, Immigration and Employment rights etc. Although we would encourage Link Workers to study the further two stages, they may study the Learning to Advise course only if they wish. |
| 2. Training placement Placement with local advice provider |
| A minimum of 15 days training placement with local social welfare advice providing organisation, giving advice to clients. Commitment 1 day per week over 4 to 6 months. The timing of training placement can be arranged to suit your availability and you may choose to do the training placement at the same time as the Learning to Advise course or afterwards. Your decision may depend on whether you can take 1 or 2 days training leave per week between October and February. If you can only take 1 day training leave per week you can do the training placement after the Learning to Advice course. |
| 3. Practical course NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance – qualification awarded by City and Guilds |
| The studying of the NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance is linked to the training placement. It consists of 10 one hour portfolio building workshops which help you to structure your portfolio of work. Commitment 10 one hour on-line works and self study time, building your portfolio of evidence. The NVQ is usually studied alongside the training placement and the two go together. But if needed we can arrange for you to study the NVQ after the placement. |
| Overall training time See worked examples below |
| A. Only studying the Learning to Advise Course. October – February 25. Time commitment, 1 day a week. 15 full and half day sessions in person and on line B. Studying the Leaning to Advise course, and doing the training placement and taking the NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance. If all three elements we taken at the same time, including a six month training placement, the programme could be completed between October 24 and April 25, with a study leave time of 2 days per week If the training placement and NVQ were taken after the Learning to Advise course the programme could be completed between October 24 and August 25, with a study leave time of 1 day per week. |