Barnardo’s calls for national social prescribing strategy
Fiona Simpson
Monday, October 23, 2023
Children’s charity Barnardo’s is urging the government to introduce a national plan for social prescribing in a bid to tackle rising mental health issues among children.
A new report from Barnardo’s The Missing Link – Social Prescribing for Children and Young People outlines how social prescribing, with adequate funding, could make a difference to the mental health of children and young people as part of a range of sustainable options to suit a person’s specific needs.
Social prescribing is a non-clinical treatment option to support children with mild but complex mental health issues.
According to recent NHS figures, nearly one in five school-age children have a probable mental health disorder.
A referral for social prescribing can be made by various agencies including a GP, local authority or a teacher so that organisations, including Barnardo’s can match children with the right services to suit their needs including talking therapy, sports, leisure and arts activities.
Such services are prescribed to help prevent and provide early intervention for conditions including isolation, anxiety and low self-esteem.
The report highlights the need for social prescribing services on a national scale “to help children and young people with their mental health by nurturing self-confidence and developing a sense of belonging”.
Barnardo’s LINK service in Cumbria is the largest voluntary sector-led social prescribing service for children and young people in England.
Lynn Perry, chief executive of Barnardo’s, said: “Social prescribing connects children with community-based activities like walking outside and developing creative skills, which can help improve wellbeing and stop things escalating.
“We know through our own frontline work that for a group of children and young people who are struggling, this can really help to turn their lives around, and means they don’t go on to need clinical NHS services. That’s why we’re calling on the government to put the backbones of funding and infrastructure in place to ensure social prescribing is available to all children and young people who need it throughout the country.”
Charlotte Osborn-Forde, chief executive of the National Academy for Social Prescribing, which is backing The Missing Link report, added: “Whether it’s ensuring a young person gets practical assistance with housing and addiction or helping them take up an activity that gives them hope, social prescribing can change lives.
“Developing and rolling out social prescribing for young people more widely could have a big impact, both for those individuals and the wider system.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Social prescribing can be an empowering and potentially life-changing intervention for those that need it, and has a key role to play in cutting waiting lists – one of the government’s five priorities.
“Over 2.3 million referrals have been made to social prescribing services – more than double our target – while the NHS has recruited 3,475 social prescribing Link workers to put people in touch with social prescribing services that will support their health and wellbeing.
“We’re also continuing to invest in mental health support for those who need it, including young people – with an extra £2.3 billion funding per year by 2024 and by rolling out mental health support teams across schools and colleges in England.”
