Policy commentary - Social prescribing 'plus': a model of asset-based collaborative innovation?

Abstract

Social prescribing is a current UK social policy phenomenon but to what extent does it represent a substantive change in the way policymakers think about services for people with multiple and complex needs? I draw on several local studies of social prescribing initiatives to argue that cautious optimism is merited: through the idea of social prescribing 'plus' key actors in a number of localities have embraced the principles of asset-based working and collaborative innovation to achieve real change in policy and practice. However, policy interest in social prescribing cannot be decoupled from the public sector austerity and transformation agenda, and the true testing ground will be how local policymakers develop services in future: will they draw on the asset-based collaborative principles of social prescribing 'plus'; or will it lead to expectations that people and communities do more for themselves without the necessary investment in this alternate model of welfare.

Understanding the effectiveness and mechanisms of a social prescribing service: a mixed method analysis

“…Indeed, the strength of the voluntary and community sector is critical to the development of social prescribing interventions [ 2 ] – this study, based in a large city in Northern England, has a strong third sector infrastructure which enabled service users to be supported. The success, in part, was arguably contingent on the local activities that people can be ‘referred-out’ to [ 22 ]. This finding raises broader concerns about the sustainability of third sector providers in delivering health and social care activities and the potential dangers in overburdening small-scale organisations through social prescribing diverting individuals away from primary care services [ 2 ].…”

“…Moreover, the study has identified key processes that make successful outcomes from social prescribing more likely. Criticisms that social prescribing services are simply the latest ‘shiny new policy thing’ ([ 22 ], p.90) seem now to be unjustified given the evidence and support for such approaches since the start of this century [ 2 ]. However, it is very clear that the research evidence on social prescribing has not kept pace with policy direction and momentum.…”

Evaluating the impact of a community-based social prescribing intervention on people with type 2 diabetes in North East England: mixed-methods study protocol

“…Although social prescribing has become a more ‘mainstream’ intervention in the UK since 2012,40 commissioners and practitioners require robust evidence to guide the implementation of best practice social prescribing.…”

Social prescribing in general practice

“…8 Co-production of social prescribing schemes with service users should also be encouraged, not just as a 'consultation', but as an appropriate co-production, particularly at the design stage, but ideally throughout the implementation and evaluation stages. 9 A final important consideration in setting up a social prescribing pathway within primary care is the need to evaluate the service's effectiveness. The use of measurement tools needs careful consideration as traditional clinical measures may not capture meaningful change in the patient.…”