Social prescribing can play a crucial role in the delivery of neighbourhood health, and help shift the NHS from treatment to prevention and from hospitals to communities.
At the National Academy for Social Prescribing, we work with health and social care systems and leaders and are here to support you in the delivery of high-quality social prescribing.
You can find information about social prescribing below – including the latest evidence and research, guides to supporting the workforce, advice on working with the voluntary sector and links to useful toolkits.
To raise awareness about social prescribing in your setting, within your setting, become a Social Prescribing Champion.
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Is social prescribing effective?
There is now strong evidence that social prescribing is effective for patients and the health system. Read the latest evidence, including on value for money.
Supporting the social prescribing workforce
Workforce Development Framework: Social Prescribing Link Workers
The Workforce Development Framework sets clear and consistent standards and includes guidance on support, supervision and development. This is a crucial resource for employers of Social Prescribing Link Workers and related roles.
Social Prescribing Maturity Framework A Quality Improvement Tool for Integrated Care Systems
This Social Prescribing Maturity Framework is a resource for leaders across Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to strategically embed, plan and deliver social prescribing at neighbourhood, place and system level.
Training for link workers
Find resources to support the training of link workers - including our Link Worker Training Roadmap and Link Worker Induction Guide, online learning and links to webinars and toolkits.
Social Prescribing: Reference Guide and Technical Annex for PCNs
This guide has been created to support primary care network employers of Social Prescribing Link Workers. This includes practice managers, GP supervisors and other clinical supervisors - and it will also be useful for commissioners and local system partners.
How to include money guidance or social welfare legal advice within your social prescribing offer a guide for PCNs
A guide to recruiting link workers who specialise in providing money guidance or social welfare legal advice.
Social prescribing in secondary, specialist and acute care
Toolkit for embedding and connecting prevention in specialist pathways
Published by Barts Health, this toolkit documents how they have implemented social prescribing into heart attack care and other specialist pathways.
Supporting people with long-term conditions
Read evidence and examples of how social prescribing can support people living with long-term conditions.
Working with children and young people
Find out about social prescribing for children and young people - including evidence, training, toolkits, best practice guides and examples of successful projects.
Working with older people
Find out about how social prescribing can support older people, include those facing financial hardship or living with dementia.
Working with partners across sectors
Social prescribing is a crucial way of connecting the health system to other sectors - including advice and information, creative health, nature, physical activity and faith-based groups and organisations. Click on the links below to find toolkits, resources and information.
Further insights and resources
Become a Social Prescribing Champion
Raise awareness and build understanding of social prescribing within your workplace or region.
