Children’s charity Barnardo’s has said local authorities are ‘vital’ to the success of social prescribing as it called for a national strategy.
In a new report, Barnardo’s outlined the urgent need for a cross-government plan to reform social prescribing.
Senior policy adviser at Barnardo’s, Becky Rice, said: ‘Social prescribing is an effective way to provide early intervention for children and young people who are struggling with mild but complex mental health issues like anxiety, depression or low self-confidence.
‘Local authorities can play a key role in recognising and responding to the needs of children and young people – identifying, commissioning and shaping services that form the basis of a social prescription.
‘Barnardo’s wants all local authorities to work with their regional Integrated Care Systems to ensure the funding and infrastructure is in place to support children and young people through social prescribing.
'By doing so, we can make it a strong and sustainable treatment option to help tackle the spiralling youth mental health crisis.’
This article was originally published by The MJ (£).
