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'. give people time over several sessions and centre every conversation on the question: "what matters to you?"
What an SPLW does
Works with people who are lonely, have complex social needs, low-level mental health needs, or long-term conditions — as part of a whole-population approach.
Helps people identify the issues that affect their health and wellbeing, and co-produces a simple personalised care and support plan.
Supports people by connecting them to non-medical community-based activities, groups and services — including specialist advice, the arts, physical activity, and nature-based interventions.
Uses coaching and motivational interviewing techniques to help people take control of their own health and wellbeing.
Works with voluntary, community and faith organisations, local authorities and others to help develop accessible and sustainable community offers, and to identify gaps in provision.
What an SPLW is not
An 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'. is not a clinician. They do not diagnose, do not prescribe medication, and do not provide therapy. They escalate to clinical colleagues when something falls outside their scope.
An 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'. is not a one-off signposting service. They give people time across multiple sessions — typically 6–12 contacts over three months — and the relationship is the work.
An 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'. is not responsible for leading or convening MDT— Multidisciplinary teamA team of professionals from different disciplines working together with the person at the centre. meetings. They contribute to them.
An 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'. is not a replacement for specialist services like talking therapies, debt advice, or housing services. They make sure people can find and use those services.
Where referrals come from
People can be referred from a wide range of agencies: primary care, hospital teams, local authority services, pharmacies, emergency services, employment services, housing organisations, community groups — and people can self-refer.
How SPLWs work alongside the team
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 part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT— Multidisciplinary teamA team of professionals from different disciplines working together with the person at the centre.), working alongside doctors, nurses, mental health practitioners, social workers, health and wellbeing coaches and care co-ordinators where those roles exist locally. Each role has its own focus. The personalised care roles are different but complementary, and you will meet them again in a later module.
Knowledge check
Test what you've just read
Q1.Over what kind of timescale does an SPLW typically support someone?
Q2.Which of these is NOT part of the SPLW role?
Q3.Are SPLWs responsible for leading or convening MDT meetings?
