Safeguarding - Cared for Children Health Assessment - HMR

Why do I need a cared for child/young person health assessment?

All Children and young people who are cared for are required by law to have a health assessment, so we can make sure that you are healthy. Health assessments assess your general health, and they are an opportunity for you to talk about any aspect of your health or well-being that may worry or concern you. Your health assessments are important even if you’re feeling well.

Your initial (1st) health assessment

Your very first health assessment is called an initial health assessment and should happen shortly after you come into care. This assessment will be with a children and young person’s doctor and takes about 1 hour to complete or 1 ½ hours if you require an interpreter. The doctor will explain the assessment to you and to anyone that accompanies you to the appointment.

The initial health assessment appointment takes place at Callaghan House, Heywood in a private room. Nobody else in the waiting room will know why you are there, as there are many different clinics often running at the same time. Your carer will have received a phone call or a letter prior to the appointment to inform them of the time and date of the appointment.

Your carer can come with you to the assessment and your social worker may also attend. It is important for the doctor to talk to you and your carer and your social worker so that everyone can work together to help you be healthy and well.

The health assessment will cover topics regarding your health and wellbeing including questions about:

• Your health now and any worries you may want to talk about
• Your health in the past and where you were born
• Your family background
• Any allergies you have or medications that you are taking and why
• Your social situation and general wellbeing
• Your likes and dislikes
• Your development and learning at school
• Your feelings, behaviour and friendships
• Keeping safe, using drugs, drinking alcohol, sex and relationships, exercise, and healthy eating and where you are living now

The doctor will also offer you a physical health check and may want to listen to your heart, check your eyes and your ears and record your height and weight. They will check which immunisations you have had and which ones you may need, and they will ask about your dental health.

If you or your carers or anyone who attends with you does not know the answers to any questions you are asked, that is ok. If at any time you feel uncomfortable about answering a question you do not need to answer it.

Will the assessment hurt?

There is nothing in the assessment that will hurt you.

Can I be seen on my own?

Your carer and/or social worker will normally come with you for an appointment, but you may choose to be seen alone if you would prefer this. Your carer or social worker can always be updated separately if needed.

What happens after the health assessment?

After your initial health assessment, the doctor will write a report describing your health. You can let the doctor know if there is anything you would not like to be included in the health report. The report will say what needs to be done to help you be healthy, by whom and by when.

The health report will be shared with your social worker and is used to write the health care plan which forms part of your care plan. The care plan is reviewed by your Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) at your children/young persons cared for reviews. A copy of the report is also sent to your GP and a summary report is sent to your carer and any other health professionals involved in your care.

If the assessment shows that you need to see someone else or you need to have treatment by another service, you may be referred to another health professional who may be able to help you.

Will I need to have another health assessment in the future?

All children and young people who are cared for will need to have a review health assessment. Children under 5 years of age are offered a health assessment once every 6 months. Children and young people over the age of 5 years old are offered a health assessment once every year but you can ask to be seen at other times if you wish. These health assessments are usually carried out by a registered nurse such as health visitor, school nurse or Specialist Cared for Children Nurse either at home, in school or at a community clinic or even at a place of your choosing.

The review health assessment is another opportunity for you to talk about any aspect of your health or anything else that you or your carers might be worried about. The nurse will talk to you about your health in general and how you are getting on at home, school, or college or in whatever you are doing. They will also talk to you about your dental health, eating and drinking, fitness and exercise, any hobbies you may have, how you sleep, and any other aspects of your life such as smoking, healthy relationships and sexual health. This appointment usually takes about an hour. A health report will be written by the nurse and sent to your GP, social worker and to your carer.

Confidentiality

We know a lot of young people have come across a lot of situations so whatever you tell us will not surprise us, shock us or embarrass us. We aim to treat all children and young people as individuals, and we will aim to respect your dignity and privacy. Confidentiality is central to trust between doctors and nurses and the children and young people that we see. We will treat everything you tell us with the utmost confidentiality, but sometimes if staff are worried about your safety or wellbeing, or the safety of others, they may have to tell other professionals certain things even when you do not want them to.

Remember, this appointment is all about you and for you.

For further information regarding your appointment, please contact: -

Paediatric Secretaries
Community Paediatric Service
HMR Children’s Community Services Callaghan House
Cross Street off Green Lane Heywood
OL10 2DY
Telephone: 0161 206 0376
Email: HMRcommunitypaediatricservice@nca.nhs.uk

Cared For Children’s Health Team

Telephone: 0161 206 7731
Email: rochdalecfchealthteam@nca.nhs.uk