Following our recent link worker survey, we have created a training roadmap to provide greater clarity over training and development requirements.
Social Prescribing Link Workers are at the heart of social prescribing. They take a holistic and person-centred approach and give people time to develop a practical way forward that supports and addresses their health and wellbeing needs.
Through consultations with link workers, including our first national survey, we have identified a need for greater clarity around training and development requirements. That is why we have created a training roadmap for Social Prescribing Link Workers, which builds on the recommended core competencies outlines in the Workforce Development Framework published by NHS England.
The results of our national survey have demonstrated that, overall, link workers feel confident in their ability to meet these competencies.
However, 36% said that they were not aware of the training and development opportunities in their role; 41% do not have access to a training budget; and 47% do not know whether there is one available for their development. 70% of link workers would like to develop their skills to improve in their role.
Our roadmap has been developed in collaboration with the Royal Society of Public Health, Connexus, The Social Prescribing Network and members of our Link Worker Advisory Group.
It is intended as a developing resource to help link workers understand how they can meet the competencies by outlining the key skills and learning outcomes , and to support national training providers, employers and commissioners to establish a consistent training offer informed by the roadmap.
This roadmap builds on and complements our existing Link Worker Induction Guide. All elements of the roadmap have been co-produced with practitioners, trainers and experienced leaders to ensure that this is useful and relevant for link workers, regardless of setting, context or specialty.
This roadmap does not include all the training and development information that you need as a link worker, but aims to highlight the recommended skills required for you to feel able to succeed in your role. It will need to be aligned with your organisation’s own induction and training requirements.
This is an evolving document, that is part of our developing offer for the workforce, which we aim to update as other national guidance and policy further develops. We strive to continue to build on our offer for the workforce and are keen to advance this important piece of work in collaboration with others to ensure more SPLWs are clear on where to go for their training and development.
We would love to hear your feedback - including on what's useful, how we can improve this and how we can work with you to implement it. Whether you are a link worker or a training provider, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
