4.1 Explain the role and responsibilities of the frontline health and care practitioner in relation to social prescribing

This guide will help you answer 4.1 Explain the role and responsibilities of the frontline health and care practitioner in relation to social prescribing.

Social prescribing connects people with non-clinical support to address wider needs affecting health. It recognises that health is influenced by more than just medical conditions. Things like housing, loneliness, unemployment, or debt can have a huge impact on wellbeing. Instead of, or alongside, medicine, people receive help to join social groups, exercise schemes, volunteer projects, money advice, befriending schemes or arts activities.

GPs, nurses, social workers and other frontline practitioners can all refer people into social prescribing. The aim is to improve overall wellbeing, not just treat symptoms. Services are usually local and involve voluntary sector or community organisations.

The Frontline Health and Care Practitioner

A frontline practitioner works directly with people needing care or support. This can include:

Nurses
GPs
Healthcare assistants
Social workers
Support workers
Allied health professionals

These practitioners play a key role in delivering or referring to social prescribing. Their actions, knowledge and attitudes have a direct impact on outcomes.

Role of the Frontline Practitioner

Identifying When Social Prescribing May Help

The frontline practitioner looks for situations where a person would benefit from non-medical support. This starts with active listening in consultations or appointments. Focus is not only on symptoms but the wider context of a person’s life.

Key triggers include:

Social isolation or loneliness
Poor housing or homelessness
Low mood or anxiety not helped by medication alone
Unemployment or financial insecurity
Lifestyle issues, for example lack of exercise or unhealthy eating
Lack of confidence or low self-esteem
Bereavement or loss
Carer stress

The practitioner watches for clues and asks open questions about how a person is feeling or coping. They help people talk about issues they may not find easy to discuss. This helps root out the social factors affecting health.

Offering Information and Explaining Social Prescribing

It is the practitioner’s role to explain what social prescribing is and how it works. Many people do not know about it. Some may feel unsure or hesitant. Good communication builds trust. The practitioner should:

Use clear, everyday language. Avoid jargon or technical terms.
Give examples relevant to the person’s situation.
Explain how social prescribing complements medical care.
Reassure the person about what to expect.
Check understanding and answer any questions.

Effective practitioners try to make people feel respected and listened to. They encourage shared decision-making, inviting people to take part in choices about their own care.

Making a Referral

Once a person agrees, the practitioner arranges for them to be seen by a link worker or social prescriber. The referral process must be clear and accurate. Key steps include:

Completing any required paperwork or electronic forms, accurately and promptly
Sharing appropriate information, with the person’s consent
Including relevant background and health issues
Explaining the reason for the referral and expected benefits
Confirming the referral pathway and giving contact details

The practitioner should respect confidentiality when sharing information. Consent must always be gained before sharing personal or sensitive information.

Supporting Engagement

Some people need encouragement or ongoing support to attend groups or activities. Barriers may include anxiety, low confidence, transport problems, mobility issues, or lack of family help.

The frontline worker helps by:

Giving encouragement and reassurance
Helping arrange transport or accompanying, if appropriate
Signposting carers or support networks
Following up to check how things are going
Liaising with social prescribers or community groups if any problems arise

Such support helps people feel valued and can increase participation.

Responsibilities of the Frontline Practitioner

Adhering to Person-Centred Principles

Person-centred care means putting people’s needs, goals and wishes at the heart of practice. In social prescribing, this is especially important. The worker should:

Show empathy and listen without judgement
Respect each person’s choices and values
Encourage people to talk about what matters to them
Avoid making assumptions or giving unwanted advice
Work in partnership with the person

The focus is on empowering people, not making decisions for them.

Collaborating with Other Professionals

Frontline health and care staff do not work in isolation. They should build effective working relationships with:

Social prescribing link workers
Community and voluntary groups
GPs, nurses and allied health staff
Social care staff

This means communicating clearly, sharing relevant information and keeping everyone informed, within the limits of confidentiality and consent.

Record Keeping and Reporting

Accurate record keeping is a legal and professional requirement. It protects people receiving care and the organisation. Responsibilities include:

Recording the discussion, consent and any agreement about social prescribing
Updating care or support plans with relevant information
Noting the referral date, pathway, and name of the link worker or scheme
Reporting any risks or safeguarding concerns

Records should be honest, factual, clear and up to date.

Respecting Data Protection and Confidentiality

The worker must handle all information in line with data protection law, such as the Data Protection Act 2018. This means:

Keeping information secure, whether digital or paper
Sharing only as much as is needed, and only with permission
Respecting the person’s rights to know what is shared and with whom
Safeguarding any sensitive personal details

Breach of confidentiality can damage trust and may lead to disciplinary or legal action.

Recognising Own Limitations

Practitioners must recognise when a person’s needs are outside their expertise. Social prescribing is not a replacement for mental health crisis teams, safeguarding services, or medical treatment.

The worker should:

Know when to escalate concerns or refer to other services
Not give advice outside their professional limits
Seek supervision or guidance as needed

This protects both people using services and practitioners themselves.

Promoting Equality and Diversity

Everyone deserves fair access to social prescribing, regardless of background. The frontline practitioner:

Recognises and challenges discrimination
Offers information in accessible formats
Is sensitive to cultural or language needs
Adapts ways of working, if necessary, to make support inclusive

Each person’s uniqueness must be respected.

Safeguarding and Managing Risk

The safety and wellbeing of people receiving care is always the highest concern. Responsibilities include:

Noticing and reporting signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation
Assessing risks before encouraging participation in community activities or groups
Alerting the appropriate person or service if there are safeguarding worries
Supporting people to take safe risks, if they wish, but stepping in if someone is in danger

Frontline practitioners must follow their organisation’s safeguarding policy at all times.

Providing Feedback and Monitoring Outcomes

It is good practice to check if social prescribing makes a difference. Practitioners should:

Follow-up with the person, where possible, to see how they are getting on
Record outcomes or changes in wellbeing
Share feedback with the social prescribing coordinator or team

This helps improve services and makes sure people are receiving the right support.

Key Qualities and Skills

Successful frontline practitioners in social prescribing need:

Warm and approachable manner
Good listening and communication skills
Reliability and organisational skills
Open-mindedness and flexibility
Ability to work as part of a team
Confidence in handling sensitive conversations
Understanding of local community resources

They should keep up to date with available groups, services and opportunities, and know who to ask if unsure.

Practical Examples

Here are some practical examples of frontline practitioner responsibilities in action:

Scenario 1 – GP Identifying Social Isolation

A GP notices that an older man keeps attending surgery for minor worries. The GP asks open questions about his home life and finds he is lonely since his wife died. The GP explains social prescribing and refers him to a link worker. The worker helps him try a local men’s group, greatly improving his wellbeing.

Scenario 2 – Support Worker Recognising Money Worries

A support worker notices a young mother is regularly attending appointments in a low mood. On asking gentle, non-judgemental questions, the worker learns she is struggling with debt. The worker explains how social prescribing can help and makes a referral to a local advice charity through the scheme. The mother receives support and starts to manage her finances better.

Scenario 3 – Nurse Aiding Engagement

A nurse refers a patient to a gardening group but learns the person feels too anxious to attend alone. The nurse arranges for a volunteer befriender to accompany the patient to the first session. This extra support enables the patient to join in and keep attending.

Working in Partnership with Link Workers

Social prescribing link workers are specialists who connect people with local support. The frontline practitioner’s role is not to provide ongoing social support themselves but to:

Identify who might benefit
Make accurate and timely referrals
Share relevant information (with consent)
Work alongside link workers to ensure the person’s needs are met
Seek feedback to monitor outcomes

Good teamwork makes social prescribing successful.

Legal and Professional Responsibilities

Frontline practitioners must:

Work within professional codes of conduct
Follow organisational policies, including safeguarding, information sharing, and confidentiality
Keep up to date with training relating to social prescribing and data protection
Safeguard both physical and mental wellbeing

Neglecting these duties may cause harm or lead to disciplinary action.

Reflecting on Practice

Regular reflection helps workers improve. You might ask yourself:

Did I listen and show respect for the person’s wishes?
Was the referral handled sensitively and confidentially?
Did I follow up to find out the outcome?
Am I clear on the boundaries of my own role?
How could I improve my knowledge of local community support?

Reflection strengthens professional development.

Summary of Key Points

The frontline practitioner is the first point of contact who identifies, explains, refers to, and supports social prescribing
The focus is person-centred, respectful, and supportive
Responsibilities include accurate information sharing, record keeping, safeguarding, and supporting engagement
Knowledge of local opportunities and an open, non-judgemental attitude are key
Boundaries must be clear – referral, not ongoing social support, is the core task
Teamwork with link workers, community groups, and others is central
Equality, inclusion and safety must always be prioritised

Supporting social prescribing in these ways helps improve health, tackle inequalities, and enhance wellbeing in real and lasting ways.