Job Description: Community Connector (Social prescribing Link Worker for Older People)· Job Title: Community Connector· Organisation: Southside Partnership Dun Laoghaire Rathdown CLG· Contract: a six-month fixed term period 6 months with the possibility of extension· Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 5 days· Location: Based in, Southside Partnership offices in Blackrock and and ICPOP (Clonskeagh) and offsite work in other locations in DLR County. The candidate will be able to apply for some remote working· Salary: 43,628.00 per annum· Reports to: the Social Prescribing and Wellbeing Project Leader· Probation: 6 monthsOur MissionWorking in partnership to improve social and economic inclusion and build vibrant communities in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown.Our VisionTo see an inclusive and just society, without discrimination, where people are encouraged and enabled to reach their full potential within strong vibrant communities.OrganisationSouthside Partnership DLR CLG is a local development company working towards an inclusive and just society where each person is encouraged and enabled to reach their full potential and live with dignity in active, healthy, sustainable and safe communities.We provide a comprehensive range of supports and services to individuals and communities through several funded programmes, including:SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) 2024–2028Tusla and HSE funded family and wellbeing programmesChanging Lives DLR philanthropic partnership initiativesDept Of Social Protection funds our LAES, Tús and CE (Community Employment) Employment ProgrammesValues in actionAt Southside Partnership, our work is guided by four core values:Integrity & Accountability – We act with honesty, reliability, and professionalism, taking responsibility for our actions and ensuring our work is consistent, trustworthy, and ethical.Community & Inclusion – We believe in the power of community and strive to foster diverse, inclusive, and cooperative spaces that ensure fairness, collaboration, and a shared sense of belonging.Growth & Learning Mindset – We are committed to continuous improvement, open mindedness, and innovative thinking, embracing curiosity, ambition, and creativity to adapt and lead in a changing world.Compassion & Wellbeing – We lead with empathy and care, nurturing environments where people feel valued, supported, and connected, promoting balance, health, and human dignity.Social Prescribing and the Community Connector RoleA Social Prescribing service empowers individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing by referral (or self-referral) to a social prescribing link worker who adopts a holistic approach to assessment of their needs. Social prescribing link workers work in true collaboration with individuals over a period of time, assessing their needs and concerns and developing a person-centred wellbeing plan based on these needs. The ultimate aim of the social prescribing link worker is to connect people to community groups, organisations and statutory services for practical and emotional support, with the overall purpose of improving health and wellbeing and improving social support.The Community Connector provides a specialist service to older people similar to the service provided by the Social Prescribing Link Worker. However this is a specialist service for a specific cohort of older patients upon discharge from the Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP), a Community Specialist Team (CST). This is the only referral pathway for patients to be referred to the Community Connector.The proposed Community Connector role is a pilot project being implemented in key sites across Ireland. It is similar to social prescribing albeit with a focus on older people who have more complex care needs. Models of social prescribing vary from a light touch signposting function to coaching models of intervention delivered by link workers. The ICPOP Community Connector service is a specialist social prescribing service for a defined caseload of older people. The Community Connector will adopt a coaching role with a defined caseload of older people known to the local Older Persons Integrated Care services. On account of the pilot nature of the service, the caseload will be agreed as the programme develops.The ICPOP team for the CHO6 health area is based on the Clonskeagh Hospital campus. It covers the geographic area of Community Healthcare Networks 1, 2 and 3, from Baggot Street in the North to Blackrock in the South, and as far West as Ranelagh and parts of Ballinteer and Churchtown.The integrated care team for older persons is a specialist multidisciplinary service primarily targeting and managing the complex care needs of the older person with multiple co-morbidities across a continuum of care. The overall aims of the service are to:Provide a specialist geriatric opinion using a multidisciplinary approach to support older people with complex care needs.Develop a person-centred care planning approach that supports robust and timely communication across care settings.Enable Early Supported Discharge from hospital and contribute to reduction of Emergency Department (ED) attendance where appropriate through the development of care pathways that support GPs and other community healthcare professionals in assessment of older people with escalating care needs.Provide support and education to the older person, carers, and healthcare professionals.Southside Partnership operates an existing Social Prescribing Programme, which commenced as a pilot in late 2018, and has developed as a successful programme, with proven outcomes in addressing health, wellbeing and social isolation. It now includes a team of a Social Prescribing and Wellbeing Project Leader, a Social Prescribing Link Worker and a Community Employment participant. The team collaborates with a range of interagency partners both regionally and nationally. The Community Connector role will be part of that team, with their key focus on providing social prescribing to older people, through referrals from the ICPOP team.The key focus of this post will include:Implementing a community connector service in partnership with the HSE and other stakeholders targeting a defined population of older peopleMap appropriate services older people can access and avail of across the area, in coordination with other voluntary stakeholdersIdentification and development (where appropriate) of activities to refer participants intoEstablishment of case management systems (database) to ensure required monitoring and evaluation processes are in placeCompletion of reports required under the contractual agreement with the HSE and required by Southside PartnershipSupport and encourage individuals to access appropriate services in their community. Where appropriate, physically introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory servicesWork in partnership with health professionals (within ICPOP) and the community and voluntary sector including internal health programmes at Southside Partnership DLR (e.g. the DLR Social Prescribing Programme, Living Well with Dementia)KEY Responsibilities (include but not limited to)Developing and implementing a Community Connector ServicesEstablishment and development of a Community Connector Service within CHO6 health area in conjunction with the HSE ICPOP and the SSP Social Prescribing teamsBook appointments with individuals, meet them personally, follow-up cases and manage case load remaining as a point of contact and support throughout the individual's social prescriptionDevelop a case management system to manage referrals, tracking of engagement, activities and closing of casesProvide non-judgemental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices working from a strength-based approach.Support and encourage individuals to access appropriate services in their community. Where appropriate, physically introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable.Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, feel included and receiving good support. Where appropriate, attend the activity with the older person to maximise the potential for enrolment and continued attendance.Develop orientation pack for clients (leaflet) overviewing the service and process of engagementWork in partnership with health professionals and the community and voluntary sector including internal health promotion programmes at Southside Partnership DLR (e.g. the DLR Social Prescribing Programme, Living Well with Dementia and Healthy Food Made Easy)Develop supportive relationships with local community organisations, community groups and statutory services, to make timely, appropriate and supported referrals for the person being introducedContribute to the building and maintenance of a comprehensive database of local community groups, resources and services and ensure information on sources of voluntary and community support is up to date at all times to enable effective and accurate supported access and linking of individuals with services whilst avoiding duplication.Work closely with the HSE designated point of contact and the Social Prescribing and Wellbeing Project Leader to support the ongoing development of the programme taking an active part in reviewing and developing the service and contribute to business planning.Track patient's access to transport to attend activitiesMonitoring and EvaluationCollaborate with the Social Prescribing team to continue to build and manage a database of local community groups, resources and services and ensure information on sources of voluntary and community support is up to date at all times to enable effective and accurate supported access and linking of individuals with services.Maintain a comprehensive database of participants, including data required by HSE and SSP such as case management, referral pathways, wellbeing assessments, progress, KPIs etc.Contribute to and write reports required by HSE.Professional DevelopmentUndertake continual personal and professional development, including national training organised by the HSEAdhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safetyAccess external supervision as a mechanism of professional supportThe above job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.Requirements:Essential Qualifications and Experience:The successful candidate will hold a third level qualification (ideally degree level) in Social, Community, Health or related field.Significant (minimum three years) experience in the fields of community development and/or healthcare and/or a related fieldExperience of supporting people in a one-to-one or group capacityExperience of partnership/ collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.Desirable Experience:Experience in working specifically with older people in a one-to-one or group capacitySocial prescribing or similar experienceSkills & Competencies:Understanding of health inequalities and community development/health sectorsUnderstanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communitiesWorking from an strengths based approach, building on existing community and personal assetsUnderstanding of the Local and Community development sector, including some understanding of Social PrescribingKnowledge of the structure of the HSE and the health services provided at Community Healthcare Network levelGovernance and commitment to qualityAbility to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, reporting, safeguarding, information governance, and health and safetyExcellent IT skillsPromoting and maintaining high work standardsProviding a quality and professional service to internal and external stakeholdersDeveloping own knowledge and expertiseCommunication and Interpersonal skillsListening and empathising with people and provide person-centered coaching and support in a non- judgemental way, with a commitment to principles of equality and fairnessSupporting people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potentialOrganising, planning and prioritising on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlinesBuilding and maintaining relationships with a variety of stakeholders including with people, their families, carers, community groups, GPs, health professionals and other stakeholdersPresenting information in a clear and concise manner Working both independently and collaboratively within a team and multi stakeholder environmentFlexibility, adaptability and openness to working effectively in a changing environment. Evaluating information, problem solving and decision-makingAnalysing and interpreting information, develop solutions and contribute to decisions quickly and accurately as appropriateIdentifying risk and assess/manage risk when working with individualsUnderstanding when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/ agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the Community Connector role - e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner. Commitment to a quality serviceAppreciating the importance of working with clients with diverse needs in an empathetic, non-judgemental, empowering mannerOther:Annual Leave: The annual leave associated with the post is 20 days per calendar year, (with three additional days gifted during the Christmas period). An extra day leave is added per year of service, up to a maximum of 25 daysTravel & Subsistence: Travel and subsistence will be paid at public sector ratesGarda Vetting The appointed candidate will be Garda VettedTransport: Access to own transport is required, including a full clean driver's licenseEmployee Assistance Programme: In addition to professional supervision, access to an Employee Assistance Programme will be providedThree additional gifted days to be used at ChristmasTime in lieu, including opportunities for hybrid workingLegal right to work in Ireland requiredTo apply, please send your Curriculum Vitae as well as a cover letter explaining your suitability for the role by email marked "Community Connector Role" by Tuesday December, 11Job Types: Full-time, PermanentPay: €43,628.00 per yearBenefits:Bike to work schemeCompany eventsEmployee assistance programSick payWellness programWork from homeApplication question(s):How many years of experience do you have working directly with older people (either one-to-one or in group settings)?Experience:in community development, health care: 3 years (required)Work authorisation:Ireland (required)Work Location: In personApplication deadline: 28/11/2025