Developing social prescribing for children and young people is a “clear priority” for preventing health problems, according to a new report by the Children and Young People’s Health Policy Influencing Group (HPIG).
The report, supported by more than 50 charities and Royal Colleges, sets out a roadmap for the NHS to meet the government’s manifesto commitment to the ‘healthiest generation of children ever’.
In a section on preventing health problems, the report states that “NHS models which address social determinants of health and support prevention, such as social prescribing (which has predominantly focused on adults), must develop their delivery model to include children and young people as a clear priority.”
Catriona Jamieson, National Lead for Children & Young People at NASP said: “We welcome the HPIG report’s inclusion of social prescribing in its roadmap for the future. Social prescribing can make a huge difference as part of the NHS pathway for children and young people’s mental health, from referral to discharge, and we hope this will be recognised in the new NHS 10-year plan.
“We also know that there are lots of excellent community projects that take a ‘social prescribing approach’ to supporting young people, without using that language. By working together and sharing ideas, we can build better connections between these projects and the health system, and ensure that many more young people can benefit.”
NASP is currently working with a wide range of charities and experts to develop a vision for the future of social prescribing for children and young people’s mental health, which is due to be published soon.
