Health

You should be provided with a child/young person’s basic medical history when you first care for them. If it is 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/young person 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. It is important to understand how the child/young person responds to things and how you can support them when providing their care.

Information should be given about any allergies. See also First Aid and Medication and The Foster Home and Health and Safety.

A child/young person will have a Health Care Assessment which forms the Health Care Plan. If the child/young person does not have one, the child/young person’s social worker should arrange an assessment so that a plan can be drawn up and available for the child’s first Children Looked After (CLA Review) which will take place within 20 working days.

The Health Care Assessment happens at particular times:

• The first Assessment must be done before the child/young person first becomes cared for, or, if not possible, before the child’s first Children Looked After (CLA) 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/young person should have a copy of their health plan.

You play an important role in looking after and promoting the health needs of children you care for. 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 or out of school club. 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/young person’s health and that you take the child/young person for their health assessment and relevant appointments.

The information you hold about the child/young person - including their daily routine, likes and dislikes, health issues etc. - may need to be shared with other professionals so accurate recording is important.

You should check whether you need to register a child/young person with a GP, Dentist and Optician and whether you have delegated authority to take the child/young person for any treatment. This will usually have been decided when completing the Placement Plan. Regular appointments need to be maintained to make sure the child/young person is fit and healthy.

Each time a child/young person  is given medication, you must record when, how often and how much was given. All medicines should be stored securely and only accessible for those who need it. (See First Aid and Medication).

You should help children/young people to make informed decisions about their health and their views should be taken into account when making decisions. You can support the child/young person to do this via the Mind of My Own (MOMO). Please find a link to the Mind of My Own for Foster Carers leaflet. (See Durham Children's Services Procedures Manual, Durham Resource Library).

In the event of an accident or incident, you must record the details of what happened and inform your fostering social worker and the child’s social worker as soon as possible.

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 details and information on how to access relevant services, including CYPMHS.