Social Prescriber

You will build relationships with the people you are helping by listening carefully to what is important to them and what motivates them. Every day you will identify what is affecting someone’s health and wellbeing. You will then work with them to find services and activities that offer practical, social, and emotional support that will improve their health and wellbeing.

Social Prescriber is also known as Social Prescribing Link Worker, Living Well Co-ordinator.

Role Characteristics

Talk and listen to people to understand how to best support them
Connect people to community based support, including activities and services that will improve their health and wellbeing
Collaborate and advocate for people by connecting to other health care professionals or services
Identify what is affecting someone's health and wellbeing, you will then work with them to find services and activities that offer practical, social and emotional support that will improve their health and wellbeing
Take a community development approach to enabling growth in community activities and groups
Support development of accessible and sustainable community offers by working in partnership with Voluntary Sector organisations, local authorities and others

Skills

Active listening
Advice giving
Collaboration
Empathy
Team work
Working with groups

Day in the life

Watch this video to find out more about being a Social Care Prescriber.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

Maths and English skills

Apply directly

GCSEs

BTEC

A-Levels

How to become

There are no set entry requirements for this role because your life experience, personal qualities and values are generally more important than qualifications.

Some employers may ask for basic numeracy and literacy plus some IT skills and relevant work experience. Some may also require a qualification like A Levels of BTEC. You could also undertaken an apprenticeship to further develop your skills.

Once in a role, You'll receive training and development to support you.

It is important to check your preferred employer's entry requirements for guidance.

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care.

Being a Social Prescriber is a broad role and there are many opportunities for training and development. You might want to specialise in a specific area like mental health support or move into a managerial or Team Leader role. There are also opportunities to work in different sectors such as GP Practices, Community, Council or Charities. You might want to gain additional higher level qualifications to become a Mental Health Nurse or Social Worker.