Overview

Social prescribers connect people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Social prescribing link workers give people time to focus on the question ‘what matters to me?’ and support people to take control of their health and wellbeing through the co-production of a personalised care plan. Social prescribers work collaboratively across the health and care system offering an all-age, whole population approach that works particularly well for people who:

  • have one or more long term conditions
  • who need support with low level mental health issues
  • who are lonely or isolated
  • who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

Social prescribers target populations with greatest need and risk of health inequalities to identify gaps in provision and support community offers to be accessible and sustainable.

The NHS England standard model of social prescribing NHS England » Social prescribing

Career Pathway, Training and Development

There are no set entry requirements for social prescribing roles. The backgrounds, skills and experience for this role will be varied. Some employers may ask for basic numeracy and literacy plus some IT skills and relevant work and/or life experience. Some may also require a qualification at level 3 or above.

Training and development will be led by individual needs although there are guidelines set out in the Workforce development framework in the links below. It is recommended that social prescribers undertake the Level 3 community health and wellbeing worker  approved by the Personalised Care Institute (PCI) for workers who do not have a level 3 qualification

Social Prescribing – elearning for healthcare

Arrs roles training requirements – Personalised Care Institute

NHS England » Workforce development framework: social prescribing link workers

Useful links

Accredited Training Menu – Social Prescribing NEW – Personalised Care Institute

National Association of Link Workers

NHS England » Social prescribing

Contact

Claire Wagner, Personalised Care Roles Facilitator stw.traininghub@nhs.net