Physical Health Connector

Description:

Job Title: Physical Health Connector 

Responsible to: Senior PHC

Location: Community based across Birmingham and Solihull with flexible outreach and hybrid working (work from home 3 to 4 days a week expected)

Contract: Fixed term to 31st March 2027

Working Hours: Fulltime 37.5 (9 day fortnight every other Monday-non working)

Salary: £26,227.50 

The Active Wellbeing Society  

The Active Wellbeing Society (TAWS) is a community benefit society and cooperative working with communities to identify, mitigate and remove barriers that prevent them from living active and connected lives. 

 As part of our approach, we are excited to be working in partnership to develop a health connector service which will focus on improving health outcomes for people with severe mental illness.   

We are working in collaboration with Primary Care Networks (PCN) and The Primary Care Mental Health Teams who are delivered as part of a partnership between Forward-Thinking Birmingham (FTB) and the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (BSMHFT).  

Job Purpose:

The Physical Health Connector will work within TAWS to support people experiencing mental health challenges, severe mental illness (SMI), and health inequalities to improve their physical health and wellbeing.

The role focuses on relationship based support, community engagement, and system navigation, helping people overcome barriers to accessing physical healthcare and wider support. The post holder will act as a trusted, nonclinical bridge between individuals, communities, and statutory services, particularly primary care. 

Requirements:

• Build trusting relationships with individuals through outreach, community presence and one-to-one telephone support (predominantly phone support from home), with people who are underserved or disengaged from statutory services.
• Educate through practical, emotional and motivational support using strengths-based, trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches to support engagement with physical health.
• Engage and encourage individuals to access physical health checks and screenings, helping them understand what to expect and how to prepare for appointments. Driving individuals towards attending their appointments is key to success.
• Identify and address barriers to engagement such as stigma, access issues or past negative experiences of healthcare. Over the phone, coordinate appointments, send reminders, follow up disengagement and advocate for reasonable adjustments and person-centred care.
• Drive stakeholder and partner organisation engagement as a link between TAWS, primary care, mental health services and community partners to support joined-up working. Build effective relationships with GP practices, PCNs, mental health teams and VCFSE organisations, representing the VCFSE perspective when required.
• Work collaboratively with partners to avoid duplication and champion community-led solutions. Map, promote and refer into local community assets and VCFSE services that support physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring and reporting requirements for funders and partners. Share learning, insight and community feedback to support service improvement and evaluation.

Experience, Knowledge and Values:

1. Experience of working in a voluntary, community, faith, social enterprise (VCFSE), community or outreach setting is essential.
2. Experience of supporting people with mental health needs, including Serious Mental Illness (SMI), health inequalities or social exclusion is required, with experience of psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or addiction being desirable.
3. A sound understanding of trauma-informed and strengths-based practice, with the ability to apply these approaches in day-to-day work.
4. Experience of working in connector, navigator, link worker, peer support or advocacy roles would be an advantage.
5. Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with experience of engaging individuals through a range of methods including telephone (primarily), digital and face-to-face contact.
6. Ability to build trust with service users and develop effective professional relationships across health and community networks.
7. Good organisational and data management skills, with experience of maintaining accurate records and working towards agreed targets and KPIs.
8. Experience of using health or case management systems (such as Rio, SystmOne, EMIS or bespoke systems), alongside strong verbal, written and IT skills.
9. Demonstrable experience of working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including primary care, mental health services and community partners.
10. Resilient, flexible and able to remain calm in challenging situations, including when working with individuals affected by substance misuse, offending behaviour or homelessness.
11. A proactive, adaptable approach to managing competing demands and complex needs.

Additional Requirements

1. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be desirable.

Benefits:

We offer our team members a comprehensive staff benefits offering to include:

• 9 Day working week - every other Monday is Non-working!
• Annual Leave – 38 days! 25 days AL (increasing to 29 days with service) plus 5 wellbeing days and 8 bank holidays.
• Nest Pension – 8% employer contribution - 3% employee contribution.
• Heath Cash Plan – giving you discounts on everyday healthcare such as dental, optical, physio, prescriptions & more.
• Employee Assistance Programme (counselling and DRs on call 24hrs a day).
• Fantastic volunteering opportunities within The Active Wellbeing Society every month.