Find the right services for you

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est.

Take the assessment

Initial Health Assessments

When you come into care you will have an Initial Health Assessment (IHA) – this is a statutory health assessment that is required to be completed within 28 days of coming into care. It is completed by a doctor known as a Pediatrician.

Before the assessment

Information is received from the Local Authority, your parents and carers, your GP, Health Visitor or School Nurse.

The assessment

The assessment looks at your health and general well-being. There will be time for you or your carer to discuss any concerns or worries you may have.

It is important that you are present for your health assessment, so we are able to talk directly to you. Your parents/carers will be asked to attend but if you are older you will be offered time to be seen alone if you wish.

It is important that you or your carer brings to the appointment any important information you may have about your health. This will include information about specialist services and appointments you may be attending such as dentist, opticians, hearing, speech and language, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) etc.

Advice and information may be given to you on:

  • Child development
  • Height and weight
  • Emotional health
  • Dental health and oral hygiene
  • Vision and hearing
  • Immunisations and health promotion
  • Drug misuse and smoking
  • Sexual health and relationships

Appointment times may vary in length, this very often depends on your needs. You will be given opportunity to be involved and have your say.

A care plan will be created following your assessment, recording your health needs and how and when they are to be actioned and by whom.

After the assessment

Any issues or worries you or the doctor has will be added to a care plan and this is reviewed regularly throughout the year and your health needs are looked at and revised.

The Children In Care Team can be contacted Monday – Friday between the hours of 9-5pm throughout the year and may attend your Child in Care meetings. Keeping you involved is very important; you and your carers will receive a copy of the care plan following an IHA.