The Mental Health Navigator Service supports children and young people living in Norfolk and Waveney who are experiencing mental health challenges.
Our Navigators work alongside children, young people, their families, carers, and professionals to coordinate care and bring services together. The aim is to make support easier to access, more joined-up, and focused on what matters most to the young person.
Navigators focus on:
- Helping children and young people stay safely in their community wherever possible
- Preventing crises and reducing the need for hospital admissions or readmissions
- Supporting safe and timely discharge from hospital when needed
- Improving confidence, wellbeing, and quality of life
Each young person receives personalised support based on their individual needs and goals.
How the service helps
Navigators provide flexible, tailored support to both the young person and their support network. They work closely with existing professionals to ensure everyone is working together effectively.
Support may include:
- Identifying what is working well and where extra help is needed
- Setting goals with the young person and their support network
- Improving communication between services
- Helping to build skills, confidence, and positive coping strategies
- Putting the right support in place to reduce the risk of crisis
Support is time-limited and focused on achieving agreed goals. Navigators will gradually step back once the right support network is in place and working well. Follow-up check-ins are offered after support ends.
Who can use the service
The service is available for children and young people up to the age of 18 who:
- Live in Norfolk or Waveney and are registered with a local GP, and
- Have a diagnosed mental health condition or are experiencing behaviours of distress that are causing concern
In addition, they will usually meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Currently in hospital (acute or mental health)
- Within 2 months of discharge from a mental health hospital
- Waiting for a mental health hospital bed
- Receiving specialist support such as CAIST or the Eating Disorder Lighthouse Service
- On the Mental Health Dynamic Support Register (medium or high risk)
- Frequently requiring crisis support
Referrals must be made by a professional involved in the young person’s care.
Who provides the service
The Mental Health Navigator Service is delivered by the Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board (ICB).
How to access the service
A referral must be completed by a professional working with the child or young person. Completed referral forms should be sent to: [email protected]
Access the referral formContact us
If you have any questions about the service, please contact:
[email protected]