What is social prescribing?
Social prescribing is a way of connecting those most affected, or at risk of violence within their communities, with local support. The pathway is designed to support clinical and non-clinical staff in identifying vulnerable individuals and getting them the right kind of support within the community.
This model of care is intended to foster a close working relationship between primary care providers and community-based organisations in providing holistic support for those at risk.
Why use social prescribing?
Youth violence has become a major concern across the capital. Between April 2015 and January 2021, interpersonal violence represented over a fifth of recorded crimes committed by young people under 25. The Social Prescribing Pathway for Children and Young People at risk of Violence is a preventative approach to addressing serious violence, aiming to engage with, and support, young people to create lasting change in communities affected by violence.
Piecemeal approaches to violence reduction don’t work. We need preventative and collaborative measures which take an evidence-based approach to understanding the root causes of violence, and what works to reduce violence. Social prescribing emphasises the importance of collaboration between a range of professionals and organisations, including:
- Primary care providers
- Specialist case workers
- Community-based organisations
How does social prescribing work?
The social prescribing pathway provides training and educational materials to support clinical and non-clinical staff in recognising vulnerable individuals. Specialist case workers provide the link between primary care providers and local community organisations and programmes to find the most appropriate interventions for those most at-risk.
Find out more about the Social Prescribing Pathway Supporting Children and Young People Affected by Violence.
