Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation from Paul Harris from Curo regarding the Curo Navigator model.

11am - Paul Harris – 30 minutes

The Board considered a report regarding the role of health navigators which has been created by Curo.  Paul Harris, Executive Director of Customer Experience, at Curo also gave a presentation regarding the navigator role.  This covered the following issues:

·  Curo has more and more customers presenting with mental health issues and increasingly complex needs.  Although mental health is not a statutory responsibility it is important to offer support. 

·  Often, people with mental health problems find it difficult to navigate services and this was taking up quite a lot of time for the Curo team.

·  Two new roles were created to act as navigators to support those customers with more complex needs.  This has resulted in a dramatic change and has been very successful.  Customers now experience a greater sense of wellbeing and have their needs met more effectively.

The following issues were discussed:

·  Frontline colleagues within Curo have a high level of training but they are not trained to a statutory level to deal with mental health issues.

·  Curo has strong links with Bath Mind and refer customers to agencies who can offer help where appropriate.  Kate Morton, Chief Executive of Bath Mind welcomed this collaboration.

·  Anthony Payne from Bath University stated that students often experience similar issues, with around 5% of students having complex needs.  He would be interested to learn more about the navigator role and possibly trialling a similar exercise at the University.

·  The Board felt that the critical role played by the health navigators is a very positive one.

·  It would also be helpful to think about how people can be supported to gain employment.  A collective approach along with clear pathways to employment would be welcomed.

The Chair thanked Paul Harris for his report and presentation and the Board noted the report.