Social prescribers’ perspectives on essential skills and experiences: a qualitative interview study

Abstract

Social Prescribing is a core component of health policy in England, linking healthcare with community support. Social Prescribers (SPs) have a central role in connecting individuals to local activities and resources. However, the rapid expansion of the role has not been matched by clearly defined skills or standardised training pathways. This study explored SPs’ perspectives on the skills and experiences they consider valuable and how their professional backgrounds influence social prescribing practice. SPs across the North West of England, representing multiple healthcare settings and organisations, took part in semi-structured online interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis generated four overarching themes and eleven sub-themes: (1) How Role Boundaries and Professional Diversity Shape Practice; (2) Skills Shaping Effective Practice and Hidden Strengths in Social Prescribing; (3) Barriers to Effective Social Prescribing in a Complex Health and Social Care Landscape; (4) Perceptions of Training, Networking, and Future Training Needs. While based on a small-scale sample, these findings inform the key skills and experiences underpinning effective social prescribing practice. Participants described how professional backgrounds influenced role boundaries, collaboration, and practice, with resilience, adaptability, and time management identified as essential. Limited mental health training was associated with reduced confidence and preparedness. The findings highlight potential needs for workforce development, particularly in relation to training, clarity and multidisciplinary collaboration.