Health

You should be provided with a child’s basic medical history when they are placed with you. If  the child arrives in an emergency, 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.

A child/young person will have an initial Health Care Assessment (IHA) within 28 days of first coming into care, this will form their Health Care Plan. Arrangements for the IHA will be discussed at the Placement Planning meeting.

The CLA Medical 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 which is part of the Placement 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.

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 be discussed at the placement planning meeting and form part of the Placement Plan.

Each time a child is given medication, you must record the date, time, what was given and sign the entry. This should be recorded on the Medication Administration Record (MAR) form, which can be found in Appendix one. 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 certainly within 24 hours.

You will receive appropriate training including health promotion, communicable diseases, hygiene and first aid. Social workers and health practitioners should ensure you have specific contact detailsand information on how to access relevant services, including CAMHS.