Understanding how Navigators at A&Es support young people facing complex social needs

Embedded within Emergency Departments, the trauma-informed service supports young people presenting with complex social needs, helping them access appropriate community support at a point of crisis.

Our approach

We delivered a mixed-methods process and impact evaluation, combining analysis of service data, case records and referral information with 38 process and impact interviews and 4 on-site visits. This enabled us to understand how Navigators worked within clinical settings, how young people engaged with the service, and how hospital-based support connected with wider community systems.

Impact and insights

• The service engaged 1,540 young people, with around three quarters consenting to an initial assessment. Navigators built trust during often brief interactions in A&E, creating opportunities for young people to disclose underlying needs and access support.
• The service helped identify wider factors affecting wellbeing, including mental health concerns, family circumstances and substance use, which were not always evident from the presenting reason for attendance.
• A high proportion of young people were referred into community-based and specialist support, helping bridge the gap between emergency care and longer-term interventions.
• Information gathered through Navigator interactions provided insight into emerging patterns of vulnerability, supporting partnership approaches to violence prevention and safeguarding.

The evaluation provided partners with evidence to refine service delivery, strengthen data collection, and develop a clearer understanding of the role that trauma-informed approaches can play within healthcare and violence prevention systems.

The report is available to read here.