People in contact with the justice system face disproportionate levels of long-term health conditions, unmet mental health need and barriers to routine primary care. This presentation shares learning from Ingeus’ Health Trainer Services, a scalable approach strengthening pathways between probation, prisons and health and wellbeing partners. The service supports people experiencing multiple disadvantage, where trauma, low confidence and low health literacy can lead to missed appointments and escalating crisis.

Lived-experience Health Trainers offer trauma informed, person centred support, combining holistic assessment with a co-produced Personal Health Plan, practical goal-setting and advocacy. By building trust and staying alongside people through setbacks, Trainers act as system navigators and “connectors”, making mainstream services more accessible. The model depends on collaborative partnerships. Health Trainers work closely with Probation Practitioners through joint visits, updates and three-way appointments, and liaise with NHS partners to support GP registration, attendance and re engagement with primary and specialist care. Voluntary and community organisations extend pathways into recovery, education and wellbeing, supporting continuity beyond statutory contact. Service effectiveness is demonstrated through outcomes and external review. In 2024/25, 317 people were referred and 282 received intensive support and a Personal Health Plan, with access enabled to 50+ community services across Leicester City and Leicestershire. 76% fully achieved their health goals and 86% at least partially achieved their goals. A 2021 review reported improvements in exercise (+19%), self efficacy (+14%), mental health (+12%), wellbeing (+13%) and diet (+8%), and found participants 2–4 times more likely to complete probation supervision than comparable peers.

Bridging Justice and Health: Lived-Experience Health Trainers as System Connectors (PID181)

Speakers

Carrie Peters

James Foreman