Supporting Victims of Serious Violence
Our Navigators are specialist youth and violence reduction workers based within local hospital emergency departments (A&E).
Immediate, Trusted Support at the Point of Crisis
They support young people aged 8 to 35 who attend hospital as a result of serious violence, assault, knife crime, or exploitation.
By offering early intervention at a critical moment, Navigators help young people stay safe, engage with support, and move away from cycles of harm.
What Are Navigators?
Navigators are trauma-informed professionals who work alongside medical teams to provide non-clinical support to patients affected by violence.
They are there to:
Engage sensitively at a time of crisis
Offer practical and emotional support
Reduce the risk of repeat harm or retaliation
Connect young people to services around mental health, safety, housing, education, employment, or mentoring
Work with families and trusted adults to support recovery
Navigators build trust when it matters most, often at a moment when a young person is most open to change.
Who We Support
We work with children, teenagers and young adults aged 8–35 who:
Attend A&E due to a violent injury
(e.g. stabbing, assault, group violence)
Are involved in or exposed to gang activity, exploitation, or weapons use
Are at risk of retaliation or further harm
Feel unsafe in their community or social circle
May not already be known to police or safeguarding services
We work with people whether or not they want to report to police and whether the violence happened in the community, at home, at school or in a relationship.
How the Navigator Service Works
Based within Safeguarding Health
Navigators are present on-site in emergency departments and wards, working closely with hospital staff to identify patients affected by violence.
Early Engagement
Navigators speak with young people in a calm, confidential, and non-judgemental way.
They listen to what’s happened, explore any immediate concerns, and talk through options for support.
If the young person is under 18, they may also engage with parents or carers, and liaise with children’s safeguarding teams.
Aftercare & Ongoing Support
Navigators continue to support young people after they leave hospital, either directly or by linking them with local services and specialists, such as:
Youth workers or mentors
Violence reduction programmes
Mental health and trauma support
Substance use services
Housing, education or training pathways
Family or community support workers
Why It Matters
Young people affected by violence often feel:
Disengaged from services
Distrustful of professionals
Trapped by fear, retaliation, or pressure
Unsure where to turn for help
Hospital admission is often a rare moment when someone may be open to change. A Navigator’s role is to use that moment to build trust, reduce risk, and offer a way forward.
This model has been proven to:
Reduce repeat A&E attendance
Break cycles of violence and retaliation
Improve safeguarding outcomes
Connect young people to long-term support
Give young people hope and opportunity
For Professionals
We work closely with:
Emergency & trauma teams
Police & safeguarding services
Social care & youth offending teams
Schools, colleges & alternative education providers
Youth workers, community safety teams & violence reduction units
Our Navigators can provide updates, attend strategy or safeguarding meetings, and contribute to wraparound support plans.
Get in Touch
Based at:
Diana Princess of Wales Hospital and Scunthorpe General Hospital
A Safe Way Forward Starts Here
If you work with young people affected by violence, or you’re a young person needing support, our A&E Navigators are here to help.
We believe in early help, real-world understanding, and second chances.