Delivered by No Limits, the A&E navigators intervention places youth workers in emergency departments across HIPS and with NHS 111. The navigators reach young people presenting due to a violent incident or other cause of crisis, offering support in the department alongside the clinical care delivered by the medical team. Youth Workers listen to young people, give them advice, provide them with coping mechanisms and signpost to other local support services. Social prescribing is available where required, providing further support within the community.

Delivery has demonstrated that the majority of presenting issues relate to mental health rather than direct links to violence, and the independent evaluation will explore the potential for this project to reduce violence. The Youth Endowment Fund finds A&E Navigator projects to have the potential for a high impact on violence reduction, however there is currently little evidence. Hampshire’s evaluation will contribute to the understanding of this under-researched area.

2124 children and young people have been supported by the A+E navigators this last financial year.

Click the link below to be taken to the No Limits website:

Mental Health & Wellbeing – No Limits (nolimitshelp.org.uk)

For more information on the A&E Navigators you can take a look at the YEF A&E Navigators Toolkit