Children in Care nurses and doctors
Our Children in Care nurses are qualified nurses with specialist training who offer confidential support and advice to children in care and their foster carers. They are someone to talk to, who will listen.
Our Children in Care nurses also undertake the statutory review health assessments, and the nurses are also available to ask advice in between health assessments. The Children in Care doctors undertake health assessments when a child comes into care and sometimes in partnership with the nurses when appropriate.
Our partners
Our Children in Care health team works very closely with social workers at Derby City Council and fully supports the pledges in its Children in Care Pledge.
The team also works closely with the council's Connexions team, a city-centre based service dedicated to offering information, advice, referral and support to young people from 12 to 25 years old. Learn more on the Derby City Council website.
The Children in Care health team has developed partnerships with many other health professionals, including hospital paediatricians, integrated sexual health teams and the trust's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) team and Breakout team.
The team also has strong relationships with charities such as Safe and Sound which offers support to children and young people who may be at risk of exploitation.
Our Children in Care nurses are all qualified nurses with specialist training who offer confidential advice, information and support in caring for the health of the children in your care. They also carry out review health assessments in line with statutory guidance.
Children in Care nurses are someone to talk to, who will listen. You are welcome to ask to speak with the Children in Care nurses in confidence at the review health assessment or upon request in between health assessments. The only time when our Children in Care nurses do not keep confidentially is when there are issues of safeguarding involving the child.
What help can they provide?
Our Children in Care nurses can provide help and advice on a range of issues, including:
- Infant nutrition and weaning
- Growing up
- Feeding difficulties
- Speech and language
- Children with disabilities
- Toilet training
- Signposting to agencies
- Early puberty
- Behaviour management
- Attachment and emotional health
- Physical health
- Play
- Support for carers
- Accident prevention
- Storage of medication
Why do Children in Care need a review health assessment?
All children need to be as healthy as possible. In order to support the child being as healthy as possible, health assessments are completed on entry into care within 20 working days (completed by a specialist doctor) and by a specialist nurse every six months, up to the age of five years, then annually, to review the child’s overall health and wellbeing.
What is a review health assessment?
The assessment is a discussion about the child’s health and wellbeing and an opportunity to obtain advice about health issues and leading a healthy lifestyle. The Children in Care health team needs this information to ensure the child in your care is as healthy as possible. After this the nurse or doctor writes a healthcare plan with you and your child which is shared with the child's social worker.
Where will my health assessment take place?
Initial assessments will take place at Sinfin Health Centre. Review health assessments usually take place at Sinfin Health Centre too.
What happens after the health assessment?
The health care plan identifies any health needs, how they will be met and who will deal with them.
The health plan
The health care plan will be discussed at the Children in Care (Looked-After Child) review. It can also be reviewed at any time if the child’s health needs change. The plan is shared with carers and other professionals involved in keeping the child healthy.
The plan is only shared with people who need to know.
Contact
If you require further assistance contact:
Children in Care Nursing Service
Sinfin Health Centre
Derby
DE24 3DS
Tel: 01332 888040 ext 88529, 88530, 88531 or 88520
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Our Children in Care nurses are qualified nurses with specialist training who offer confidential support and information if you have worries or problems. An initial health assessment is undertaken by a specialist doctor within 20 days of entering care which assesses your current health needs and how you are feeling. The Children in Care nurses also undertake your annual review health assessment, which is based more about you, your emotions and your health. The nurses are someone to talk to, who will listen to you during your health assessment or in between health assessments and are available 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday. You have the right to speak the Children in Care nurse or doctor in confidence and in private. The only time when the nurse or doctor does not keep confidentiality is when you are or someone else is hurt or in danger.
What help can the Children in Care health team provide for you?
Information and advice about:
- healthy eating and lifestyle choices
- contraception/emergency contraception
- how to manage stress
- eating disorders and where to get help
- healthy and unhealthy relationships
- smoking cessation
- bullying
- physical development and what is expected during puberty
- alcohol issues
- pregnancy testing
- drugs and where to get help
- sexual health and gender identity and where to get help
Why do I need a health assessment?
All children need to be as healthy as possible. In order to support you being as healthy as possible, health assessments are completed on entry into care within 20 working days (completed by a specialist doctor) and by a specialist nurse every year (if aged five years or older) to review your overall health and wellbeing.
What is a health assessment?
The assessment is a discussion about your health and well-being and an opportunity to obtain advice about health issues and leading a healthy lifestyle. The Children in Care health team need this information to ensure you are as healthy as possible. After this the nurse or doctor writes a healthcare plan with you and this is shared with your Social Worker and carer.
Where will my health assessment take place?
Initial health assessments will take place at Sinfin Health Centre. Review health assessments usually take place at Sinfin Health Centre too.
What happens after the health assessment?
The health care plan identifies health needs, how they will be met and who will deal with them.
The health plan
The health plan will be discussed at your Children in Care (Looked-After Child) review.
It can also be reviewed at any time if your health needs change.
The plan is shared with carers and other professionals involved in keeping you healthy.
The plan is only shared with people who need to know.
Contact
If you require further assistance, support or advice, contact:
Children in Care Nursing Service
Sinfin Health Centre
Derby
DE24 3DS
Tel: 01332 888040 ext 88529, 88530, 88531 or 88520
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Where can I learn more or get support?
Derby City Council's Connexions team is a city-centre based service offering information, advice, referral and support to young people from 12 to 25 years old. Learn more on the Derby City Council website.
Become, the charity for children in care and young care leavers, has lots of information and advice for people leaving care.
Other websites that may be useful are Young Minds and The Samaritans. There is information on the Derbyshire Community Health Services website about sexual health services.