TWO ‘navigators’ are set to be hired to help vulnerable residents access the right services they need.

Cheshire West and Chester Council wants to employ two people to give personalised advice to residents who struggle to find the right help and advice when they most need it.

One of the ‘navigators’ will be based at the new public services hub at Wyvern House, in Winsford, while the other will be based in Ellesmere Port.

A report issued to CWAC’s health and wellbeing board on Wednesday said: “Some customers, particularly those with confidence issues or complex needs, could benefit from a system that offers personalised support to guide them to the services that are most needed.

“A named person acting as a single front door would help guide individuals around the system – connecting them to the services that are most appropriate.

“The role will provide reassurance to the customer that they are being listened to. The role would lead to improved referral pathways and improved linkages with agencies to support individuals.”

The triage-style service has been recommended by CWAC’s poverty truth commission, which listened to the stories of residents who have experienced poverty across the borough – known as ‘community inspirers’.

If the scheme is approved, work to fully cost the roles will be undertaken, and CWAC will work with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to commission the service.

At the board meeting, Winsford-based Dr Jonathan Griffiths, chairman of NHS Vale Royal clinical commissioning group (CCG), gave his support to the ‘great idea’.

Dr Chris Ritchieson, chairman of NHS West Cheshire CCG, said the scheme was similar to one previously run at GP surgeries in his patch.

He said: “It was essentially designed to help individuals navigate their way through the system – particularly those who find their way to general practice and didn’t need the skills of a GP, but needed the support to access the voluntary sector, financial advice or similar.

“This has a real promise because at the moment our service is for individuals who have accessed health, and this offers a different route of access.”

Cllr Paul Dolan, CWAC cabinet member for adult social care, added: “This is what the community inspirers were telling us, and I know that with mental health issues and hard-to-reach groups, sometimes there are skills that are appropriate for some groups that might not work for others.”