Health information for children and young people in care

Who are the Children in Care Health team?

We are a team of doctors, nurses and administrators.

We complete health assessment’s and provide advice to ensure all of your health needs are met. We work closely with your Social Worker, Foster Carer/Key Worker to support any health needs.

Your health is very important. As a child who is looked after, you are entitled to a health assessment when you come into care.

When will the initial assessment be offered?

The assessment should be offered within 20 working days of being looked after.

Your Initial Health Assessment – or IHA, will be completed by a children or young person’s Doctor (Paediatrician).

Why do I need an initial health assessment?

A health assessment helps you to stay healthy, by having positive physical, emotional and mental health. Staying well means that other things in your life can be easier, for example making friends, learning and working through difficulties.

Where will the assessment take place?

This will take place in a private room at our Child and Family Centre Clinic in Axe Street, Barking if you are placed within Barking and Dagenham, or a local clinic / health centre if you are placed further away. Nobody else in the waiting room will know why you are there.

Who will be at the assessment?

Usually, it is your Carer that comes with you, sometimes your Parent/s may come or Social Worker.

Can I see the doctor alone?

We treat all children and young people as individuals and respect your dignity and privacy.

Whilst having your examination, you can choose not to have anyone else in the room. You will then be given the option of having an impartial observer (chaperone) present wherever possible. This is usually another health care professional.

We do think it is important for the doctor to talk to both you and your Carer, to work together to help you to feel healthy and well.

Your dignity and privacy will always be respected.

Confidentiality

If you want to talk to the doctor without any adults present, then let us know. It is important for you to have the opportunity to express your wishes, feelings, and views and if you wish to do this without another adult present – then that is okay.

What we discuss will be treated sensitively and confidentially but if something you share with us puts your safety at risk, we will have to tell your Social Worker to protect you. If this happens, we will talk to you about this to let you know that this will happen and the reasons why.

What will happen at the assessment?

Your initial health assessment gives us a chance to talk to you and find out if there is any help and support needed so you can be as healthy and well as possible. The appointment can approximately last for up to 90 minutes.

We aim to identify any gaps in routine health care, assess additional physical, developmental, or emotional health needs and develop a health plan to address identified issues.

It also gives you a chance to talk to us about any health worries you might have or ask any questions. No question is silly or unimportant so if you have a question, please don’t be too embarrassed or afraid to ask.

Remember your doctor is there to help you, not to judge you

Things we will talk about include:

• Eating and diet
• Sleeping
• Development
• Activities, exercise and hobbies
• Emotional wellbeing (including your feelings, worries, hopes, behaviours etc)
• Information about your family which can have implications on your own health
• Illnesses, medication, and allergies
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• Staying safe
• Safe and healthy relationships
• Any health goals you might have.

The doctor will ask about your health and how you are getting on generally. They will offer to weigh and measure you to see how you are growing. The doctor may listen to your heart using a stethoscope, but you will not be asked to get undressed.  If you are with your Carer or Parent, we may also ask them some questions.

What happens at the end your health assessment and after?

As part of our discussion, we will work with you to agree what is included in your health plan. This may include information about other people and services that can help and support you with your needs or to achieve your goals.

If your doctor is not able to fully answer your questions or concerns at the time, they will help you to find the right person or place that can.

A summary of your health assessment, any care plans and letters will be sent to your Social Worker, GP, and your Looked After Children’s Health Team. You can also have a copy of the plan if you wish.

Progress of the plan will be monitored within your meetings with Social Workers and by the Nurse who completes your review health assessments.

When will your next health assessment be?

Review health assessments – or RHA’s – are completed every year if you are over 5 years of age or six monthly if under 5 years of age and this will be completed by a qualified nurse.

The assessment will last for approximately 90 minutes and can take place either at home, or in a Health Centre /Clinic.

Your assessment won’t be the only time you see and hear from us. We will be in more regular contact than this to review your health.

Your Carer, Parent, Key Worker, Social Worker or GP may ask us to visit or speak to you if they feel that you need some additional support or health and development advice.

You may also request to see us in between planned visits or before your next health assessment. All you need to do is contact the team using the details on this page

It also gives you a chance to talk to us about any health worries you might have or to ask any questions you might have. No question is silly or unimportant so if you have a question, please don’t be too embarrassed or afraid to ask.

At the assessment, you can also have your height and weight measured.

Your Health Plan

As part of our discussion, we will work with you to agree what gets included in your health plan.

This may include information about other people and services that can help and support you with your needs or to achieve your goals.

Questions

If you want to ask any questions before your health assessment you can call the Looked After Children’s Team. You can also ask for one of our nurses to visit you before your review health assessment if you would prefer to talk things over in person.

What happens when I turn 18?

You will be contacted by one of the nurses from the Looked After Children’s Health team to complete your Care Leaver Health Summary.

The Health Summary provides a history of a child or young person’s journey through health care. It also contains information around accessing health services.

This is your health summary which is your own personal health record. It includes information about your medical history and some facts about your health. It contains confidential information about your health, and some useful contact numbers and websites in case you need these in the future.

You can take it with you when you go to the doctor, dentist or anybody else you might see about your health.

This information will be useful in the future to help you manage your health. The health details will also be useful should you require medical treatment. It will be shared with your General Practitioner (GP), Social Worker and Leaving Care Advisor –  if you give consent.

You will then be discharged from the Barking and Dagenham Looked After Children’s Team on your 18th birthday to the care of your GP.

How to contact the Looked After Children Health Team?

Barking and Dagenham

Barking & Dagenham Looked After Children’s Team

Email BarkDag.LACTeam@nelft.nhs.uk  

Telephone 0300 300 1760

We also have My Health Jigsaw – which is a webpage specifically for children who are looked after to access resources and support including:

• My Health Record
• Health and wellbeing
• Mental Health
• Becoming independent

The health jigsaw can be accessed on the NELFT NHS website.