Line management of social prescribing teams is a natural progression for experienced SPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. — and effective management is a strong driver of workforce retention.
What service managers do
A service manager's role typically covers:
Line management of a team of SPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. (and often HWB coach— Health and Wellbeing CoachA personalised care role focused on supporting behaviour change and self-management. Works alongside SPLWs and care co-ordinators. and care co-ordinators where those roles exist).
Supervision structures — making sure clinical and workplace supervision happen and are quality.
Service development — understanding population health needs, building strategic relationships across the local team, regional health system, local authority and community sector.
Workforce planning — recruiting, retaining, developing the team.
Outcome reporting — to commissioners, partners, and the wider organisation.
Building the local social prescribing system — including the community asset side.
The template SPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. JD is intentionally broad. Larger teams typically separate out the managerial / lead SPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. elements into a distinct role.
What good management of SPLWs looks like
Protected time for the team to do CPD— Continuing Professional DevelopmentOngoing learning and reflection used to maintain and improve competence in a role., supervision and community work.
A culture where SPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. are valued as full members of the team, not auxiliary.
Active boundary work — protecting SPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. from drift into reception, admin, or out-of-scope tasks.
Genuine peer support opportunities — networks, learning sets, conferences.
Career conversations that go beyond performance reviews.
Leadership pathways
Formal development pathways for SPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. moving into leadership are emerging in different regions. GSPA— Global Social Prescribing AllianceInternational alliance of social prescribing practitioners, researchers and partner organisations working to grow the social prescribing workforce globally. Co-developer (with WHIS) of this programme. national chapters are good places to find out what is available locally. WHIS— World Health Innovation SummitEstablished in 2015 to improve health and wellbeing outcomes through innovation, education and partnerships. Co-developer (with GSPA) of the WHIS Social Prescribing Link Worker programme. & GSPA— Global Social Prescribing AllianceInternational alliance of social prescribing practitioners, researchers and partner organisations working to grow the social prescribing workforce globally. Co-developer (with WHIS) of this programme. also run international convenings for emerging leaders in the social prescribing field.
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WHIS— World Health Innovation SummitEstablished in 2015 to improve health and wellbeing outcomes through innovation, education and partnerships. Co-developer (with GSPA) of the WHIS Social Prescribing Link Worker programme. & GSPA— Global Social Prescribing AllianceInternational alliance of social prescribing practitioners, researchers and partner organisations working to grow the social prescribing workforce globally. Co-developer (with WHIS) of this programme. leadership convening series
Your regional workforce development body or training hub.
