Introduction to Social Prescribing
Social prescribing is a holistic approach that enables health and care professionals to refer individuals to a range of non-clinical community-based services to improve their health and wellbeing. It recognises that health is influenced by social determinants and aims to address these through personalised care plans linking people to local support such as exercise groups, arts activities, or debt advice. This element introduces the core purpose, the variety of available services, and the structured signposting process central to effective care navigation.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The SEG Awards Certa Level 2 Extended Award in Care Navigation is a vocational qualification designed to equip learners with the essential skills and knowledge to support individuals in navigating health and social care services. This award focuses on the role of a care navigator, who acts as a guide, advocate, and coordinator for service users, helping them access appropriate care, understand their options, and manage their health journeys effectively. It covers key areas such as communication, person-centred care, multi-agency working, and the legal and ethical frameworks that underpin care navigation in the UK.
Care navigation is increasingly vital in modern health and social care systems, which can be complex and fragmented. By studying this award, students learn how to reduce barriers to care, improve health outcomes, and empower individuals to make informed decisions. The qualification is particularly relevant for those aspiring to roles in community health, social prescribing, or as care coordinators in the NHS or local authorities. It also provides a foundation for further study in health and social care at Level 3 or beyond.
This award is part of the wider Health & Social Care curriculum offered by Open College Network Yorkshire and Humber Region (trading as Certa). It emphasises practical, real-world application, with assessments that test both knowledge and skills. Students will explore case studies, role-play scenarios, and reflective practice to develop competence in supporting diverse service users, including those with complex needs, long-term conditions, or mental health challenges.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Person-centred care: Tailoring support to the individual's preferences, needs, and values, ensuring they are active participants in their care decisions.
- →Multi-agency working: Collaborating with professionals from health, social care, housing, and voluntary sectors to provide holistic support.
- →Communication skills: Using active listening, empathy, and clear language to build trust and gather accurate information from service users and professionals.
- →Care pathways: Understanding the routes individuals take through services, including referral processes, assessments, and transitions between care settings.
- →Legal and ethical considerations: Applying principles such as confidentiality, consent, capacity (Mental Capacity Act 2005), and safeguarding.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Understand the purpose of social prescribing.Understand the range of non-clinical community based services available through social prescribing. Understand the process of sign posting through the use of social prescribing.
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Award credit for accurately defining social prescribing and its role in addressing social determinants of health.
- Look for evidence of understanding a broad range of non-clinical services (e.g., physical activity, social groups, financial advice) and how they meet specific wellbeing needs.
- Assess for knowledge of the systematic signposting process: identifying needs, providing tailored information, enabling informed choice, and ensuring appropriate follow-up.
- Credit explanations that highlight the importance of a person-centred approach and active partnership with the individual.
- Check for recognition of the care navigator's professional boundaries and limitations when signposting versus clinical referral.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡Use real-world case studies to demonstrate the practical application of social prescribing and signposting, linking theory to practice.
- 💡Explicitly reference the core principles of social prescribing, such as empowerment, asset-based approaches, and reducing reliance on clinical interventions.
- 💡In assignments, show clear understanding of the whole signposting journey: initial assessment, information sharing, supporting choice, and evaluating outcomes.
- 💡Highlight the importance of maintaining confidentiality, obtaining consent, and working within the scope of your role when navigating services.
- 💡Prepare to discuss potential barriers to accessing services and strategies to overcome them, as this demonstrates deeper understanding.
- 💡Use specific examples from your placement or case studies to illustrate how you applied person-centred principles. Examiners look for evidence of reflection on what worked and what you learned.
- 💡When discussing multi-agency working, mention the importance of the Care Act 2014 and how it promotes integration. Show you understand the roles of different professionals (e.g., GPs, social workers, voluntary organisations).
- 💡In your assessments, always link your answers to relevant legislation, such as the Health and Social Care Act 2012 or the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This demonstrates depth of knowledge and application.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Confusing social prescribing with direct medical treatment and overlooking the non-clinical, holistic ethos.
- Failing to identify a diverse range of community-based services, often only listing exercise or social groups.
- Misunderstanding signposting as a one-off instance of giving a leaflet, rather than an ongoing, supportive process.
- Not appreciating the need for person-centred practice, assuming a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to service recommendations.
- Overstepping professional boundaries by attempting to make clinical decisions or referrals outside the care navigator role.
- Misconception: Care navigation is just about giving directions or making phone calls. Correction: It involves complex coordination, advocacy, and emotional support, requiring deep knowledge of services and strong interpersonal skills.
- Misconception: Person-centred care means always agreeing with the service user. Correction: It means respecting their autonomy while providing professional advice and balancing risks, especially when capacity or safety is an issue.
- Misconception: Multi-agency working is straightforward and always effective. Correction: It requires clear communication, shared records, and overcoming barriers like differing priorities or confidentiality concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for OPEN COLLEGE NETWORK YORKSHIRE AND HUMBER REGION TRADING AS CERTA Introduction to Social Prescribing
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic understanding of the UK health and social care system, including the roles of the NHS and local authorities.
- •Communication skills at Level 1 or equivalent, as the course involves interacting with service users and professionals.
- •Awareness of safeguarding principles and confidentiality is helpful but not essential, as these are covered in the award.
Coursework AI Review
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Understand the purpose of social prescribing.Understand the range of non-clinical community based services available through social prescribing. Understand the process of sign posting through the use of social prescribing.
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