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Children in Care Team (Looked After Children)

About us

We are a small medical team of Community  Paediatricians with expertise in assessing the health needs of Children and Young People in Care .

We are employed by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust. We work closely with  social workers and foster carers to make sure that Children in Care receive all the healthcare they need. Our Team support Children and Young People in Care by carrying out statutory Initial health Assessments (IHA) until their 18th birthday, to assess any health needs that may be required as they come into care. Within our Team, the  Medical Advisors for Adoption, will also write a report, which provides potential Adopters with a summary of children and young people’s health situation, when  required for Adoption procedures.

The Children in Care Administration Team will contact Carers to make appointments for children to be brought for their statutory Initial health assessments. Children in Care Social Workers are responsible for ensuring the child/young person attends their appointment; and are therefore advised of the dates planned for appointments. This also includes their attendance in the Initial Health assessment, unless otherwise indicated. Individual, confidential appointments are provided in clinics. 

Contact the team

  • Service hours: Monday - Friday 
  • Email: WHCNHS.CommPaedsSCP@nhs.net
  • Phone: Monday - Wednesday: 01905 681067 / Thursday — Friday:  01905 681057

Initial Health Assessments (IHA)

Why do I need an assessment? 

All Children and Young People in Care are required to have a health assessment; so we can make sure that you are as healthy as possible. We will assess your general health and you will have  an opportunity to talk about any aspects of your health or well-being that may concern you. 

What is an Initial health assessment?

This is your first health assessment. It is a health check up carried out by a Doctor. The health assessment takes about one hour (sometimes longer). Initial Health Assessments are always face to face and are offered in-clinic, in different locations across county. Don’t worry, nobody else in the waiting room will know why you are there. 

Children in Care above 5 years of age, will be offered another (Review) Health Assessment with a Specialist Nurse  in a year’s time. Children under five years old, have two assessments each year. 

What happens at my Initial Health Assessment?

At your initial assessment, you will see a doctor. The doctor will explain the assessment to you they will ask you some questions about your health and will answer any worries you may have. The doctor will also want to speak with your social worker and/or your foster carer who are expected to accompany you to the appointment. You can choose whether you want to have a chat with the doctor alone. 

The doctor will offer you to have a physical examination and measurements for your weight and height.  You can choose whether you have a physical examination or not. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about how your body works or talk about anything that is worrying you. The doctor will review the immunisations you had already and  update your plan,  to keep you protected against common conditions. If necessary, the doctor can refer you to be seen by another NHS service, such as  your GP, a hospital clinic or a specialist service

If you are above the age of 10 years , you will also have the opportunity to discuss issues such as emotional and mental health, sexual health, healthy diet, smoking, alcohol and drug use.

Advice and information for carers may be provided on child development, emotional difficulties, diet,nutrition and common health problems

Can I be seen on my own?

Your social worker/key worker and your foster carer is expected to come with you for this appointment.

However, you can choose to see the doctor by yourself. Your carer or key worker will be asked to wait in a separate room until you are finished.

What happens after the Initial Health Assessment (IHA)?

A Health Summary of what has been discussed and a Health Care Plan of your needs is prepared following the health assessment and this is then shared with you, your GP, Social worker, and health professionals involved in your care. Your Foster Carer will also receive a copy of your Health Care Plan, to ensure they are aware of your health needs to ensure you are kept well. You can let us know if there is anything you would not like to be included and it will not go in the report. Please be aware that we cannot keep information confidential if we believe that you are at risk of harm.

The Health Summary and Care Plan forms part of your overall Care Plan, held by Social Care; and the Social Worker and Independent Reviewing Officer (I.R.O.) should review any outstanding health needs alongside their overall Care Plan in specific timescales, whilst you remain in care.

What to expect at an Initial Health Assessment (IHA) 

All children in care should have a health check when they first enter care. This usually happens within 20 working days of moving into foster care. After this first check, children under 5 have a health check every 6 months, and children over 5 have one every year. 

What to expect at an Initial Health Assessment (IHA) 

Produced by NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB, this video is aimed at teenagers as they come into the care of Local Authority (Child in Care or Looked after Child) to explain what a statutory Health Assessment is all about.

Produced by NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB, this video is aimed at primary/junior school age children as they come into care of Local Authority (Child in Care or Looked after Child) to explain what a  Health Assessment is and what to expect.

Produced by The What? Why? Children in Hospital (WWCIH) charity, this video is aimed at families and carers of children undergoing a health assessment. 

Local support and signposting

Mental health and wellbeing support

Herefordshire and Worcestershire CAMHS

  • CAMHS provides a range of wellbeing and mental health support to children, young people and their families across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The CAMHS website includes information on different services, signposting and resources to support your mental health and wellbeing.

Wellbeing and Emotional Support Teams in Schools (WEST)

  • The wellbeing and emotional support teams in schools service is designed to help children and young people ages 5-18 years access mental health and wellbeing support early on in educational settings.

Melo provided by Onside Advocacy

  • Melo supports the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people aged 0-25 years, including individual, group and specialist support. The service is designed to build emotional resilience and promote wellbeing.  

NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies 

  • Talking Therapies is open to young people aged 16 and over. They provide a range of support, including  online therapy, g roups and courses and 1:1 support.  The team can also help you find and access a variety of groups, courses and activities delivered by voluntary, charity and social enterprise providers that can support your physical and mental wellbeing. You can self-refer online in your own time, and you don't need to go to your doctor/GP first.

Anchor - Emotional Health and Wellbeing Team

  • A team dedicated to the emotional health and wellbeing of Looked After Children from 0-18 years of age. The service is made up of professionals working together from two different services, which are Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Worcestershire County Council. 

Onside Advocacy

  • Onside is a charity working across Worcestershire and Herefordshire, providing a range of support and services including mental and physical ill health, sensory impairment, learning disability, drug and alcohol misuse, older people, and carers, advocacy.

NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24-hour mental health helpline

  • If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact the Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24 hour urgent mental health helpline by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option. You can call for yourself, or someone else. NHS 111 is for all ages, including children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental needs. If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, please use the following link to be connected to local crisis service – NHS 111 – SignVideo.

Advice for young people on self-harming — YoungMinds

  • Find out what self-harm means and what to do if you think you’re affected by it in this helpful resource developed by YoungMinds.

Other support and signposting 

  • Kooth offers online counselling and support through text, email and online forums. Kooth is suitable for ages 10-18 years.
  • Lumi Nova is a personalised digital therapeutic game for childhood anxiety, co-designed with children, parents, NHS clinicians and experts in mental health, human-centred design and ethical gaming technology. It empowers young people aged 7 to 12 years to overcome mental health challenges and create life-long skills using immersive experiences that are self-guided, interactive and fun. Sign up for free here.
  • Worcestershire ChatHealth is a service where 11-19 years olds can text 07507331750 to speak to their School Health Nurse for confidential advice and support around a variety of issues, including bullying, emotional health, relationship problems, alcohol and drugs.
  • YoungMinds Textline offers 24/7 text messaging support wherever you are in the UK. If you need someone to talk to about how you’re feeling, text YM to 85258.

Sexual health and relationships

Worcestershire Integrated Sexual Health Service (WISH) 

  • Local sexual health clinics providing contraception, sexual health testing/treatment and pregnancy advice 

NHS Live Well

  • Information and advice about sexual health, including contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Healthy and unhealthy relationships - Childline

  • Relationships can be confusing. Especially if you really like someone but they do things you're not comfortable with. We're here to help you think about what feels right for you. 

Healthy lifestyle choices

The Eatwell Guide — nhs.uk

  • The Eatwell Guide shows how much of what we eat overall should come from each food group to achieve a healthy, balanced diet.

Healthier food swaps — nhs.uk

  • Simple food swap ideas can help reduce sugar, salt, and fat in your and your family's diets.

Food Active - Food in Care

  • Food in Care an innovative programme led by Food Active to assist children in care and their carers to lead healthier lives. The project aims to raise the importance of food, nutrition and associated behaviours for children in care, through a range of resources and training.

Support and resources for carers

Support & advice for parents — NSPCC

  • From early parenting advice, to supporting your child when they leave home, the support and advice for parents and carers information on the NSPCC website is a helpful guide for parents, carers and guardians. 

Sexual development and behaviour in children — NSPCC

  • It’s important that everyone who works with children and young people has a good understanding of how children develop sexually. This guidance, produced by the NSPCC explores the stages of typical sexual development and behaviour for different age groups.