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Derbyshire Children in Care Team
A team of Doctors, Nurses and Administration Staff addressing and coordinating the health services for Children and Young People who are in care.
Mission Statement
Our team co-ordinate the health care of Children in Care and Care Leavers by working in partnership with other professionals and agencies, to enable each child and young person to be as healthy as possible and have the ability to reach their full potential throughout their life
Children and Young People in Care share many of the same health risks and problems as their peers, but often to a greater degree. They often enter care with a worse level of health than their peers in part due to the impact of poverty, abuse and neglect.
Statutory Guidance on Promoting the Health and Wellbeing of Looked After Children D O H (2009)
The Children in Care team at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Derbyshire County Council:
- Carry out statutory Health Assessments.
- Provide Individual Health Care Plans outlining actions.
- Provide a Specialist Nurse for each geographical area across Derbyshire and a Named Nurse for Derbyshire.
- Promote and encourage healthy lifestyle options.
- Offer healthcare advice and support to children, young people and their carers.
- Refer to other agencies as indicated.
- Liaise closely and provide advice to Social Care and other health professionals.
- Offer medical and health advice to Adoption and Fostering.
- Provide a Specialist Nurse to Local Authority children's homes, offering support and guidance regarding meeting the health needs of Children in Care. Signposting will be provided to Private Residential Homes.
- Provide a Health History Summary for young people alongside their final Review Health Assessment completed in their 17th year where appropriate.
- Work closely with the Designated Professionals for Children in Care to help influence strategic direction to develop health services and improve outcomes for Children in Care.
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The Specialist Nurses for Children in Care will provide a duty nurse each weekday for contact by carers and professionals seeking advice regarding the health of Children in Care. This includes responding to Safeguarding concerns and attending Strategy Meetings according to the pathway.