Children in Care Health Team - Brighton and Hove
This team help to improve the health outcomes for children and young people who are in the care of Brighton and Hove City Council, whether living in or out of the local area.
What does this service provide?
Who we are
We are a team of Specialist Nurses and Paediatricians who are committed to improving the health outcomes for children and young people who are in the care of Brighton and Hove City Council, whether living in or out of the local area.
We also provide support and health assessments (by request) for children/young people placed by other local authorities within the City of Brighton. We strive to deliver a quality service that is responsive, accessible, and flexible.
What we do
Our health assessments aim to:
- improve physical health
- deliver effective health promotion to vulnerable young people
- provide holistic support including referrals to other specialist services
- enable the continuity of health care both in and out of the area – contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced health inequalities
In addition, we:
• attend meetings pertinent to the wellbeing of children/young people
• proactively engage with residential care home staff and residents, and young people in supported living accommodation
• provide training to health professionals, carers, social workers, and other key professionals to enable them to support improved health outcomes for the child or young person
Appointment information
Appointment types
We offer a variety of options, including face to face, telephone and video appointments.
Who you'll see at your appointment
For the initial holistic health assessment, you'll see one of our specialist nurses and paediatricians.
Preparing for your appointment
Initially, we provide a holistic health assessment with a doctor and nurse which details the baseline level of health of the child or young person.
We then provide nurse-led review health assessments which are bi-annual for children under 5 years and annual for children and young people aged 5–18 years, to ensure that their health plan is updated and progressed.
We also provide an individualised health care summary for 17-year olds exiting care so they understand, and know how to access their health history, enabling them to make positive decisions about their future health.
What happens after my treatment or therapy plan ends?
All children and young people are allocated to a specialist nurse who will be their key professional and the contact they can access health support from going forward.
How can I access this service?
All children and young people entering care will be offered an initial health assessment within 16 working days of us receiving a referral from their social worker. Health assessment reviews will then be completed bi-annually/annually (age dependent, see preparing for your appointment).
Health Assessments will be completed for other local authority children/young people on receipt of a referral from their responsible Children in Care Health Team (referrals must be made at least 2 months before the due date).
We like to know about all Looked After Children residing within Brighton, so please contact the team if you are aware that a child/young person has moved into the area.
Where can I access this service?
Initial health assessments are offered at Brighton General Hospital by appointment.
Following that, health assessment reviews are usually offered at home by appointment, but alternative arrangements can be made.
Where can I find resources for this service?
Health for Under 5s – website put together by trusted NHS professionals offering advice from birth to the age of 5.
Health for Kids – website offering health advice to help your children grow and flourish.
Health for Teens – website offering bite-sized information on a comprehensive range of physical and emotional health topics for teenagers, including healthy eating, body image, managing stress, advice on relationships, puberty, sexuality and much more.
Related pages
Get the best from your NHS
If you need advice about our services, facilities or staff, or would like to make a comment, please contact Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS).
Contact details
You can contact PALS by the following:
Telephone: 01273 242 292Email: sc-tr.pals@nhs.net
Give feedback
Tell us what you think about our services, what we are good at, where we can improve, and what matters to you? All feedback will be shared anonymously wherever possible, but if you have any questions about this, please ask.
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