Clarifying SPLW Training Expectations Under the NHS in England Contract: What You Need to Know

The National Association of Link Workers (NALW) welcomed the clarification provided by NHS in England 2025/26 Network Contract DES regarding qualification expectations for Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLWs) employed through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). This updated guidance offers timely reassurance and a practical roadmap for SPLWs, Primary Care Networks (PCNs), and education providers.

This clarification was first shared with NALW members in our exclusive March 2025 briefing. However, in response to ongoing requests from education providers and system stakeholders, we are making this public to ensure there is no regression in the aspirations or development of the SPLW workforce.

What the Contract Says

The NHS contract specification confirms that SPLWs must hold or be working towards an occupationally relevant qualification at Level 3 or above. Crucially, it clarifies that:

Level 3 is the minimum requirement, not the ceiling.
SPLWs already holding qualifications at Level 3 or higher are not required to repeat training, but are encouraged to continue their professional development as expected of all SPLWs.

What This Means for SPLWs

This reinforces a key message: SPLWs are a professional NHS workforce, and there are clear NHS expectations and their development should reflect that.

Whether you are new to the role or an experienced practitioner, here’s what the guidance could mean for you:

No formal qualification? Start with a Level 3 in social prescribing (if eligible), and consider progressing to higher levels as part of a career pathway.
Hold a Level 3 in social prescribing? You may be ready to specialise through Level 4, 5, or even postgraduate (up to PhD) qualifications.
Hold a diploma, degree, or master’s in another field? Consider progressing to a social prescribing qualification at the appropriate level aligned with your experience and practice.
Short-term SPLW or retiree? A Level 3 qualification plus top-up training may suffice if you do not plan to specialise in the SPLW Career.

This flexibility is currently designed not to stall workforce supply.

Background

The push for professionalisation is not new. In 2024, NALW members voted in favour of motions calling for:

An accredited register of SPLWs which NALW should hold
The standardisation of education and training aligned to the NALW Education Standards.

This was supported by Unison, the UK’s largest public sector union, and builds upon:

The NHS England Workforce Development Framework for SPLWs (2023), co-developed with input from NALW.
NALW’s endorsement of the PRSB social prescribing information standards, designed to work in conjunction with education and workforce frameworks.

Why This Matters

This national clarity prevents confusion across the training landscape and protects against the dilution of the SPLW professional identity and setting back progress. Most importantly, it ensures that SPLWs are empowered to grow in confidence, competence, and credibility — and deliver on NHS priorities of access, experience, and outcomes.

We urge all stakeholders — PCNs, employers, educators, and SPLWs — to ensure that training provision and commissioning is aligned to NHS expectations and NALW-endorsed frameworks.

We particularly welcome education provider innovation in delivering apprenticeships and qualifications at a range of levels, including Level 4 to postgraduate, to meet evolving workforce needs.