Working in social prescribing services: a qualitative study

Abstract

PurposeSocial prescribing (SP) is an emerging area of public health that has the potential to alleviate pressure on primary care by offering non-clinical solutions to health problems. Whilst there is an increasing body of literature exploring service design and impact, there is little research that focuses specifically on the SP workforce. The purpose of this paper is to explore routes into SP, worker’s experiences of the sector and potential career progression.Design/methodology/approachFor this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight members of the SP workforce with varying levels of responsibility from within six different organisations in an urban/suburban area of South West England. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsPathways into the sector were varied, and those without direct experience often brought transferable skills from other professions. Careers in SP were clearly rewarding, and some providers had established good support structures for staff. However, some participants were in need of additional training in areas such as collaborative working and staff management. Staff working at a more senior level – particularly in community-based organisations – seemed less well supported overall, with limited career progression. Staff in such organisations also reported working beyond contractual hours.Originality/valueThis study has revealed inconsistencies between the experiences of staff in some community organisations vs those associated with larger, more established services. It has also highlighted a need for further training and capacity building in some areas. These findings may be of interest to those commissioning or funding SP services in the future.

Role of Social Prescribing Link Workers in Supporting Adults with Physical and Mental Health Long-Term Conditions: Integrative Review

“…Our fndings accord with current suggestions that social prescribing interventions require a skilled workforce [19,29,49] that is equipped and supported to deal with the complexity of caring for an increasingly ageing population with multiple conditions [33]. Recent evidence proposed that the role of a link worker needs a clearer scope and possibly standardised referral criteria that could improve caseload management systems [26,81].…”

“…Equally, referral and assessment rates were increasingly prioritised, thus complicating time resources for engagement with patients [62]. Tis fnding is consistent with evidence suggesting that the link workers role is becoming unrealistic, ranging from supporting diverse groups of patients through person-centred approaches, tackling service funding concerns, and operating interventions tightly linked to fnancial targets [46,49,51].…”

Role of Social Prescribing Link Workers in Supporting Adults with Physical and Mental Health Long-Term Conditions: Integrative Review

“…Our fndings accord with current suggestions that social prescribing interventions require a skilled workforce [19,29,49] that is equipped and supported to deal with the complexity of caring for an increasingly ageing population with multiple conditions [33]. Recent evidence proposed that the role of a link worker needs a clearer scope and possibly standardised referral criteria that could improve caseload management systems [26,81].…”

“…Equally, referral and assessment rates were increasingly prioritised, thus complicating time resources for engagement with patients [62]. Tis fnding is consistent with evidence suggesting that the link workers role is becoming unrealistic, ranging from supporting diverse groups of patients through person-centred approaches, tackling service funding concerns, and operating interventions tightly linked to fnancial targets [46,49,51].…”

Routes to social prescribing outside National Health Service (NHS) structures: a systematic map

“…Link workers are important for cultivating ‘strong’ connections between those that refer and services that provide activities or support that form part of a social prescription. Beardmore 31 described the importance of social prescribing staff working as part of a team, particularly when the service was co-located within the NHS. Garner-Purkis et al 28 described health mentors who met with mainly self-referral clients and supported them in developing activity plans, taking baseline measures and supporting engagement with chosen activities.…”

Tensions and opportunities in social prescribing. Developing a framework to facilitate its implementation and evaluation in primary care: a realist review

“…8 An environment offering supervision and peer support allows link workers, for instance, to discuss difficult patients and learn from challenging situations. 40 , 41 Training of the VCS staff equates to service quality for primary care stakeholders and increases their reliability on the service. 19 , 65 …”

Role of Social Prescribing Link Workers in Supporting Adults with Physical and Mental Health Long-Term Conditions: Integrative Review

“…Our fndings accord with current suggestions that social prescribing interventions require a skilled workforce [19,29,49] that is equipped and supported to deal with the complexity of caring for an increasingly ageing population with multiple conditions [33]. Recent evidence proposed that the role of a link worker needs a clearer scope and possibly standardised referral criteria that could improve caseload management systems [26,81].…”

“…Equally, referral and assessment rates were increasingly prioritised, thus complicating time resources for engagement with patients [62]. Tis fnding is consistent with evidence suggesting that the link workers role is becoming unrealistic, ranging from supporting diverse groups of patients through person-centred approaches, tackling service funding concerns, and operating interventions tightly linked to fnancial targets [46,49,51].…”

Routes to social prescribing outside National Health Service (NHS) structures: a systematic map

“…Link workers are important for cultivating ‘strong’ connections between those that refer and services that provide activities or support that form part of a social prescription. Beardmore 31 described the importance of social prescribing staff working as part of a team, particularly when the service was co-located within the NHS. Garner-Purkis et al 28 described health mentors who met with mainly self-referral clients and supported them in developing activity plans, taking baseline measures and supporting engagement with chosen activities.…”

Tensions and opportunities in social prescribing. Developing a framework to facilitate its implementation and evaluation in primary care: a realist review

“…8 An environment offering supervision and peer support allows link workers, for instance, to discuss difficult patients and learn from challenging situations. 40 , 41 Training of the VCS staff equates to service quality for primary care stakeholders and increases their reliability on the service. 19 , 65 …”

Role of Social Prescribing Link Workers in Supporting Adults with Physical and Mental Health Long-Term Conditions: Integrative Review

“…Our fndings accord with current suggestions that social prescribing interventions require a skilled workforce [19,29,49] that is equipped and supported to deal with the complexity of caring for an increasingly ageing population with multiple conditions [33]. Recent evidence proposed that the role of a link worker needs a clearer scope and possibly standardised referral criteria that could improve caseload management systems [26,81].…”

“…Equally, referral and assessment rates were increasingly prioritised, thus complicating time resources for engagement with patients [62]. Tis fnding is consistent with evidence suggesting that the link workers role is becoming unrealistic, ranging from supporting diverse groups of patients through person-centred approaches, tackling service funding concerns, and operating interventions tightly linked to fnancial targets [46,49,51].…”

Routes to social prescribing outside National Health Service (NHS) structures: a systematic map

“…Link workers are important for cultivating ‘strong’ connections between those that refer and services that provide activities or support that form part of a social prescription. Beardmore 31 described the importance of social prescribing staff working as part of a team, particularly when the service was co-located within the NHS. Garner-Purkis et al 28 described health mentors who met with mainly self-referral clients and supported them in developing activity plans, taking baseline measures and supporting engagement with chosen activities.…”

Tensions and opportunities in social prescribing. Developing a framework to facilitate its implementation and evaluation in primary care: a realist review

“…8 An environment offering supervision and peer support allows link workers, for instance, to discuss difficult patients and learn from challenging situations. 40 , 41 Training of the VCS staff equates to service quality for primary care stakeholders and increases their reliability on the service. 19 , 65 …”