The SPLW role at a glance
If you work in primary care, a community organisation, a hospital, or a charity — and you're new to social prescribing — this short orientation tells you what an is and what they're for.
What is an SPLW?
A Social Prescribing Link Worker is a non-clinical 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.
are part of a wider personalised care workforce alongside health and wellbeing coaches and care co-ordinators where those roles exist.
What do they do day-to-day?
- Spend time with the person — typically across 6–12 sessions over three months.
- Centre the conversation on the question: "what matters to you?"
- Co-produce a personalised care and support plan with the person.
- Connect the person to non-medical community-based offers — community-sector groups, advice services, arts, physical activity, nature-based interventions.
- Work in partnership with primary care, social care and community-sector colleagues.
Who do they help?
The programme focuses on:
- People with one or more long-term conditions.
- People who need support with their mental health.
- People who are lonely or isolated.
- People with complex social needs that affect their health.
Where do they fit?
can be:
- Directly employed by a primary care team or other lead organisation, or
- Hosted by a community-sector organisation under sub-contract.
In either case, the expectations on supervision, embedding and are the same.
What's their training?
- The Social Prescribing Link Worker programme — six practice areas covering engagement, care planning, partnerships, community working, safeguarding, and records & impact.
- Mandatory and statutory training required in their jurisdiction.
- Monthly clinical supervision with a relevant health professional.