The Scottish Community Link Worker Network has published the findings of its Scottish Community Link Worker Network Survey 2025. The aim of the survey was to find out more about community link workers day to day working life – both the challenges and successes – and how the Network can support them in their role. Respondents to the survey see securing long-term funding for the role as a key priority for the Network’s activity going forward. One survey respondent said their main ask was:
‘For VHS as the lead in the Network to continue to be the voice promoting the importance of the (CLW) role to Scottish Government and pushing not only for long-term committed funding but also equity of pay for all CLPs/CLWs.’
The initial findings from the survey suggest that:
- Community Link Workers enjoy their jobs; what frustrates them is the lack of long-term job security, low salaries for what is a complex and demanding role, and a depletion in local groups and resources to which they can refer their clients.
- Network members see securing long-term sustainable funding for Community Link Workers as a priority for the Network’s ongoing activity.
- The main reasons for referral to CLWs are primarily in relation to issues around mental health, social isolation and loneliness, housing and financial support. This in turn feeds into the types of services CLWs refer their clients to.
- Community Link Workers would like the opportunity to benefit from more opportunities for professional development, including professional accreditation for their role. They feel this would enhance the reputation of community link working as well as increase understanding of their job and the role of social prescribing in primary care. There isn’t a national training programme for Community Link Workers and what classes as mandatory and optional training for CLWs varies across the country’s programmes (although there is some consistency in terms of the training that CLWs complete and/or would like to undertake).
- 97% of Community Link Workers who completed the survey engage with the Scottish Community Link Worker Network in some capacity. However, they would like more opportunities to attend in-person events.
Roisin Hurst, Project Manager for the Scottish Community Link Worker Network, commented:
‘I continue to be humbled by the commitment and dedication of community link workers across Scotland. They go above and beyond for their clients, despite working under extremely challenging conditions. What comes across in the survey is that they really love what they do; however, long-term job security is a major cause of stress and concern for them.
We welcome the Scottish Government’s current review into community link working in Scotland. We remain hopeful that this will lead to a long-term sustainable funding model for community link workers, so that they can get on with what they do best – supporting people in their local communities to have better health outcomes.’
Thanks to all the Community Link Workers who took the time to complete the survey. We will also be sharing the findings with Scottish Government to support their national review of community link working in Scotland.
For more information about the survey or the Scottish Community Link Worker Network, please contact SCLWN Project Manager Roisin Hurst.
