People Cabinet Member – Minutes – 15 August 2013

93     (22) HEALTH TRAINER SERVICE – The Director of Public Health and the Director of Places submitted a joint report to inform the Cabinet Member of the option appraisal undertaken to assess the future provision of the Health Trainer service.

The report sought approval to continue the Health Trainer Service as an integrated service directly provided by North Lincolnshire Council, with management responsibility for the service transferred from the Public Health Hub to the Places Directorate, and existing staff contracts of employment extended until end of November 2013.

The aim of the service was to deliver improvements in health and wellbeing to communities, groups and individuals over the age of 16 years. The service targeted individuals from hard to reach groups across North Lincolnshire including the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) community, those out of work, reformed offenders and those from disadvantaged backgrounds and neighbourhoods.

The role of the Health Trainers was to work with people on a one to one basis over six sessions to motivate and empower them to make behaviour changes that would improve their health.

Resolved – (a) That the continued provision of the Health Trainer service by North Lincolnshire Council and the transfer of the management of the service to the Places Directorate be approved; (b) that the contracts of employment for existing staff be extended until the end of November 2013, and (c) that existing health trainer staff be assured that they continue to be valued and will have an important future role as the service is developed to become more embedded with other council services. A scope and plan for this to be developed.