Background and Main Aims of the Post:
Personal Health Budgets (PHB) aims to empower people to take control of their health and wellbeing Personal health budgets are a way of offering individuals with disabilities and long-term conditions greater choice and control in how the NHS supports them in improving their health and managing their care. The national personal health budget evaluation (2014) found that personal health budgets had particularly positive impacts for those with mental health conditions. The pilot programme included more than 20 areas that offered personal health budgets for mental health and found that the use of PHBs resulted in significant improvement of people’s quality of life and wellbeing and were cost effective. These areas worked with a range of different populations, from older people with dementia to young people in early intervention services, and with a range of types and size of budget.
Individuals who are eligible for a PHB will be referred to a nonmedical ‘link worker’ who will work with individuals, focus on ‘what matters to them’ and take a holistic approach, linking and connecting individuals to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support so that the ‘service user ‘ are supported and feel more empowered and therefore better able to take up and utilise a personal health budget. The role will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team focused on providing personalised care so that individuals are able to maintain a good quality of life.
Key Responsibilities
• To work as part of the (South East London)PHB team, taking referrals to provide advice, and advocacy which supports the provision of proactive, preventative and personalised PHB that aims to reduce readmissions.
• Provide personalised support to individuals, to assist individuals to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes. Providing information and supported advocacy to improve PHB take up and assist individuals with accessing contacts within their community so that PHB’s are utilised.
• Co-produce PHB support plans to improve health and wellbeing and introducing or reconnecting individuals to community groups and statutory services so that they are able to fully utilise their PHB. The role will require managing and prioritising a caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload.
• Be outcome focused, assist in the take up of PHB interventions, and make efficient use of available local resources, including technology and innovation so that individuals can benefit from the budget. Have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people to community agencies and assist with referral process and engagement.
• Develop a good knowledge of local voluntary, community and faith sector (VCF) organisations to refer to. Check agencies have basic safeguarding processes for vulnerable individuals and can provide opportunities for the individual to utilise communities support to benefit from a PHB and also have opportunities to develop friendships, a sense of belonging, and build knowledge, skills and confidence. Key Tasks
• Be proactive in developing strong links with all local agencies to encourage referrals, confidence in services and effective partnership working.
• Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes.
• Take a holistic approach, based on the person’s priorities and the wider determinants of health including supporting people to access support and services so that they are better placed to utilise a PHB.
• Manage and prioritise a caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent advocacy support required by individuals.
• Provide agencies with regular updates about PHB,s, including working with colleagues on training and how to access information to encourage PHB take up.
• Attend associated meetings as requested, providing updates and reports promptly as necessary.
• Keep up to date with developments within PHBs to ensure the approach is in line with other Boroughs, regionally and nationally.
• Support the Management Team by ensuring accurate records are produced and maintained, reporting requirements are completed, producing case studies and providing additional information as required.
• 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, included and receiving good support and assist with the evaluation.
• Work with colleagues and partners to identify unmet needs within the community and gaps in community provision.