Health

You should be provided with a child’s basic medical history when they are placed with you. If it is an emergency placement, this should happen as soon as possible. As much information as possible needs to be understood about the child’s health especially where the child has health or behavioural needs that potentially pose a risk to themselves, you and others. Any issues should be fully shared with you, together with an understanding as to what support you will receive as a result.

Information should be given about any allergies. See also First Aid and Medication and The Foster Home and Health and Safety.

A child/young person will have a Health Care Assessment which forms the Health Care Plan. If the child/young person does not have one, the Social Worker should arrange an assessment so that a plan can be drawn up and available for the child’s first Looked After Review which will take place within 20 working days.

The Health Care Assessment happens at particular times:

• The first Assessment must be done before the first placement or, if not possible, before the child’s first Looked After Review (unless one has been done within the previous 3 months);
• For children under five years, further Health Care Assessments should occur at least once every six months;
• For children aged over five years, further Health Care Assessments should occur at least annually.

The child should have a copy of their health plan.

You play an important role in looking after and promoting the health needs of children in your care. This means talking to them and providing them with information about doing the things that keep them healthy and well.

You should encourage children/young people to follow their interest and leisure activities.

You should help the child/young person to identify where they can access activities they are interested in and support them to attend. This may be linked to the educational setting they attend. It could be sporting activities or activities which they enjoy which make them feel good about themselves.

It is important that you keep a record of the child’s health and that you take the child for their health assessment and relevant appointments.

It is important that you keep a record of the child's health and that you take the child for their health assessment and relevant appointments.

The information you hold about the child - including their daily routine, likes and dislikes, health issues etc. - may need to be shared with other professionals.

You should check whether you need to register a child with a GP, Dentist and Optician and whether you have delegated authority to take the child for any treatment. This will usually have been decided when completing the Placement Plan.

Each time a child is given medication, you must record when, how often and how much was given. All medicines should be stored securely and accessible for those who need it.

You should help children/young people to make informed decisions about their health and their views should be taken into account when making decisions. 

In the event of an accident or incident, you must record the details of what happened and inform your Supervising Social Worker and the child's social worker as soon as possible.

You will receive appropriate training including health promotion, communicable diseases, hygiene and first aid. The child/YP's LAC nurse will be able to advise on general health matters at the Health Assessment. Social Workers and health practitioners should ensure you have specific contact details and information on how to access relevant services, including CAMHS.

Useful Contacts Regarding Health

Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Looked After Children) – (CAMHS)

CAMHS specifically target the emotional well-being and mental health needs of children living away from their birth parents in the care of the local authority. They may be living in foster care or in residential placements.

The team offers support to young people moving to live independently and receiving a service from the Leaving Care teams.

Referrals are made via the child's social worker and supervising social workers.

For appointment queries, etc. please telephone:

Specialist CAMHS North: 0115 956 0866

Specialist CAMHS South: 0115 844 0501

Drugs and Alcohol

W.A.M. (What About Me?)

Tel: 01623 635 330
Text: 07970 724 165
Email: wam.team@nottshc.nhs.uk
Web: www.wamnotts.co.uk

For children and young people aged 5 – 19 who are worried about someone they care about using drugs or drinking too much alcohol.

Hetty's

Marlborough House
23 Woodhouse Road,
Mansfield
Nottinghamshire
NG18 2AF

Tel: 08000 850 941
Text: 07896 228 547
Email: info@hettys.org.uk
Web: www.hettys.co.uk

Provides access to confidential advice support and information to family members, friends or carers of drug or alcohol users in Nottinghamshire, including information about self-help groups or one or one support.

Talk to Frank

Tel: 0300 123 6600
Text: 82111
Web: www.talktofrank.com

A-Z confidential free information about drugs and drug abuse.

Health Issues:

NHS

Call 111

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

NHS non-emergency telephone number where you can speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

If you have a medical emergency, please call 999.

Nottingham NHS Walk-in Centre

Seaton House, City Link, London Road, Nottingham, NG2 4LA

Tel: 0115 883 8500
Web: www.nhs.uk

Opening hours are Monday to Sunday 7am to 9pm, including Bank Holidays where you can see an experienced nurse for treatment of minor injuries.

In October 2015 the new NHS Urgent Care Centre opened at the above address, (next to the BBC building). The centre will offer assessment and treatment for health conditions that are urgent but non-life threatening such as:

• Minor burns and scalds;
• Minor head injury with no loss of consciousness;
• Skin infections and rashes;
• Suspected broken bones, sprains and strains (X-ray will be available on-site);
• Eye infections and minor eye injuries.

No appointment will be needed; just drop in between 7am and 9pm, 365 days a year.

Equation (formerly Nottinghamshire Domestic Violence Forum)

Domestic violence shatters lives. Equation's vision is that everyone deserves healthy relationships that are based on mutual respect and free from abuse.

Domestic Violence Helpline

A confidential support and advice service:

•  Local helpline tel: 0808 800 0340

Childline

Childine can be contacted anytime -
calls are free and confidential.

Web: www.childline.org.uk