Our children in care team supports the health of children in care from birth to 18 who live in Sunderland and South Tyneside.
The team work with South Tyneside, Sunderland and other local authorities to assess and support the health needs of children in care. They may live in foster care, with family or in a residential home in South Tyneside and Sunderland.
Our team will do health assessments for children and young people and act as the central point of contact for assessment requests.
We offer advice and support to the families and professionals that care for these children and young people and can direct to other services where needed.
Children in care can often need additional support to meet their health needs. To understand the help you may need we will invite you for an initial health assessment and we will try to see you within 20 days.
The initial health assessment will be carried out by a doctor. If you are over 16 a specialist nurse will support the doctor.
You will receive your initial health assessment at either:
- Durham Road Children Centre Sunderland
- Palmers Hospital
- The Child Development Unit at South Tyneside General Hospital.
Following this assessment, you will receive a report which contains a Health Action Plan.
|
Your Health Action Plan 202X |
||||
|
Last Health Assessment Date - No outstanding actions |
||||
|
Health issue |
What needs to happen? |
What would we like to achieve? |
Who will do this? |
When will you do this by? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This report and action plan is shared with your consent with your social worker, your GP and your 0-19 practitioner to make sure everyone is clear what health support you need.
Any actions should be discussed in your care team meetings to make sure you are on track with your health needs and support.
After your Initial Health Assessment you will be invited for a Review Health Assessment with your allocated Cared for Nurse.
Which takes place every 6 months if you are under 5 or every year if you are over 5.
Some children and young people will need the support of their nurse between assessments, we will work out together what is best for you.
Your Review Health Assessment will take place in a location and time which you feel most comfortable and where you don’t have to miss school.
Preparing for adulthood
You will receive your last Review Health Assessment at 17 years old and you will receive a health summary. This will include information on your birth details and immunisations and information on how to access health services when you are 18 years.
Your social worker or out of area cared for health team will refer you into our service.
Confidentiality is very important. We will listen very carefully to you to discuss your healthcare concerns.
We will only discuss your health issues with someone else if you allow us to do so, or if we think that not doing so would place you at risk of harm.
