The 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. programme recognises specialism as an emerging route within the 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'. role. Specialisms are important for retention and for matching workforce capability to local need.
The specialisms recognised in the programme
Children and young people
Mental health
Financial inclusion and advice
Refugees and asylum seekers
Secondary care, including hospital discharge.
These have emerged from population need rather than central planning. Other specialisms exist in some areas (carers, perinatal, end-of-life).
Three models of specialism
Three patterns are common:
Matrix.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'. have specialist theme lead roles within a generalist team — they keep some generalist cases but advise the team on their specialism.
Exclusive. Some 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'. work only with a specific population.
Advisor. Specialist 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'. act as case advisors to generalist colleagues without holding their own caseload.
The right model depends on local need, team size, and the population's complexity.
What specialism requires
The core competencies (the four 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. domains) still apply.
Plus appropriate skills, experience or qualifications for the population — employers must ensure this.
Plus appropriate supervision — supervisors of specialist 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'. need their own enhanced skills.
Why specialism matters for retention
Without progression routes, 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'. leave. Some go into management; some leave the sector entirely; some move to similar roles in other organisations. Specialist routes give people who are excellent at the work a way to develop without becoming managers.
How to grow specialist capacity
Identify a local need through population health data or service patterns.
Develop theme lead roles in existing teams as a first step.
Pair specialists with enhanced supervision — including peer learning sets across organisations.
Build referral pathways so specialists can take complex cases without overloading.
