Looked After Children (Brighton and Hove Children in Care Health Team)

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.  We strive to deliver a quality service that is responsive, accessible and flexible, to meet the needs of all children whether living in or out of the local area, and achieve this by:

• Providing a holistic statutory Initial health assessment to map the baseline level of health with the young person upon entering care with a doctor and nurse
• Providing and overseeing 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 the health plan is updated and progressed
• Carers and young people are able to access health support from the Children in Care Health team and know who their key professional is
• Delivering effective health promotion to vulnerable young people
• Demonstrating improved physical health
• Providing an individualised health care summary, for 16-17 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
• Provision of holistic support including referral to other specialist services and enabling continuity of health care both in and out of area – thereby contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced health inequalities
• Attending meetings pertinent to the wellbeing of children and young people
• Proactive engagement with residential care home staff and residents, and young people in supported living accommodation
• Provision of training to health professionals, carers, social workers and other key professionals to enable them to support improved health outcomes for the child