How health teams support children in care

In Kent we have a nursing service for looked after children. The Looked after Children (LAC) Nurses are specialist nurses with a remit for the promotion of health and wellbeing of all looked after children of all ages who are resident in the County.

The LAC Nurses work in partnership with colleagues from Kent Social Services, Kent Education Department, other local authorities and independent care providers. They work together to ensure that the health needs of looked after children are met in their placements by providing health assessments, supporting policy development, training for social workers, carers and teachers and working with individual children and young people to address specific health needs.

The LAC Nurses' work is underpinned by the Healthy Care Standard, and Every Child Matters (these links open in a new window) which are founded on the belief that all children are entitled to excellent, consistent care and health care, and a care environment that will equip them with the knowledge, skills and values for life.

The LAC Nurses are available to provide specialist advice and can be reached by telephone for consultation or to arrange a face to face meeting.

Every looked after child/young person is entitled to annual health checks. These health checks are requested by the child's social worker.

The first (Initial) health assessment is generally undertaken by a qualified paediatrician, (this is a medical assessment and the child may be required to undress). At subsequent health reviews, six monthly for under 5s and annually for over 5s, the child/young person will be seen by the LAC Nurse (the child will not be required to undress). These assessments will be holistic and take into account not only the child's present health needs but also promote a future healthy lifestyle.

Health action plans are written following each health assessment. These will be part of the child's LAC Review and be monitored to ensure that all recommendations are carried out. Children will be fully immunised according to Department of Health Guidance.

All looked after children/young people are required to be registered with a General Practitioner and have annual dental and vision checks with a local dentist and optician.