Managing and Closing Client Engagement in Social Prescribing
- AISPN
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
A Structured, Person-Centred Approach for Social Prescribing Link Workers Social prescribing is a powerful tool for supporting people to build resilience, rediscover interests, and strengthen their sense of agency and wellbeing. However, managing caseloads effectively and knowing when and how to close a case can be challenging especially when strong relationships have been built or when people present with complex or ongoing needs. In this post, we explore a structured, evidence-informed model for managing and closing cases in social prescribing, grounded in best practice and international research.
While social prescribing must remain flexible and person-led, many services have found that working within a structured six-appointment framework over 12–16 weeks supports meaningful progress, reflection, and closure. A timeline may include:
Session Focus
1 Establish the relationship, clarify expectations, and co-create an activity plan
2 & 3 Check-in, review progress, identify any barriers, adjust goals as needed
4 & 5 Deepen engagement, build confidence, and develop independence
6 Reflect, celebrate achievements, discuss next steps, and close the case
Establishing the Relationship
When a Social Prescribing Link Worker begins working with someone, it is important to take a person-centred, strengths-based approach that supports trust, clarity, and collaboration. The early stages of the relationship are a valuable opportunity to explore what matters to the individual and to begin gently shaping a path forward. The following steps may be useful in establishing this foundation:
Set clear expectations about the number of appointments and the goal-focused nature of the service.
Give time and space to hear the person’s story and motivations.
Clarify the scope of the service and avoid fostering dependency.
Co-design an initial activity or wellbeing plan that feels achievable and meaningful.
Reflecting and Reviewing
When supporting someone through social prescribing, the middle stage of the process offers a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and adjust. These check-in points can help ensure the person feels supported while still working towards their own goals. The following suggestions may guide this phase:
Use the second and third appointments to check in on progress.
Explore barriers such as confidence, anxiety, low energy, or unresolved trauma.
Adjust plans where needed, and signpost to relevant community supports.
Fostering Independence
As a Social Prescribing Link Worker, one of the key goals is to support individuals in building the confidence and capacity to maintain their wellbeing independently. The last stages of the process are a chance to reflect on progress, affirm strengths, and gently move towards closure in a positive and empowering way. The following steps can help foster independence:
Support the development of self-awareness, self-advocacy, and self-empowerment: Help
individuals build confidence in understanding their needs, expressing themselves, and taking ownership of their wellbeing.
Encourage engagement with personal development tools and programmes: These support individuals in developing new skills, exploring interests, and strengthening confidence through local community initiatives and coaching approaches.
Plan for closure with intention, highlighting progress and celebrating success: Conclude by recognising achievements and celebrating progress. Agree on next steps to sustain wellbeing independently, leaving the person feeling confident and supported.
Courageous Conversations
Sometimes a person may not be ready to engage fully, or the fit between their needs and the service scope may shift. In such cases, a compassionate but clear conversation is important. Techniques may include:
Appreciative Inquiry – “What’s gone well for you in this process so far?”
Exploratory Questions – “How are you feeling about the journey so far?”
Redirected Support – “If this isn’t the right time for social prescribing, what might be more helpful instead?
Barriers to Progress
When collaborating with individuals through social prescribing, it is important to recognise that progress may sometimes be slowed or complicated by various challenges. Being mindful of these potential barriers can help link workers provide more sensitive and effective support. The following points highlight some common obstacles to consider:
Low confidence or fear of failure
Co-dependency on the link worker
Previous negative experiences of health or community services
Unaddressed trauma or grief
Naming and gently working through these barriers with empathy, alongside appropriate referrals, is vital for supporting the person’s self-determination and long-term wellbeing.
Key Takeaways
A structured and time-bound model does not reduce the person-centred nature of social prescribing, it strengthens it. Clear beginnings and endings can help participants build the confidence to continue their journey independently, while also allowing link workers to manage their caseloads sustainably. Flexibility and kindness are key. Trusting your instinct, staying person-centred, and valuing small, well-supported steps can all make a significant difference to achieving positive outcomes.
Supporting Research
The six-appointment model and case management approach are supported by a growing body of research:
🔗 Social prescribing outcomes: a mapping review of the evidence from 13 countries to identify key common outcomes – Describes wellbeing, social connection, and system outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1266429/full
🔗 Understanding the effectiveness and mechanisms of a social prescribing service: a mixed method analysis– Highlights importance of regular contact and link worker relationships.https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-018-3437-7
🔗 Models of social prescribing to address non-medical needs in adults: a scoping review – Validates structured stages including goal setting and phased closure.https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-023-09650-x
🔗 Service-users’ perspectives of link worker social prescribing: a qualitative follow-up study – Participants identified sustained benefit when supported over time with a clear structure.https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-018-6349-x
🔗 The effectiveness of social prescribing in the management of long-term conditions in community-based adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis– Found early signs of improved quality of life and motivation through supported plans.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02692155241258903
🔗 Social Prescribing—An Effort to Apply a Common Knowledge: Impelling Forces and Challenges – Overviews key design features and evaluation recommendations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.515469/full
