Service : Children and Young People in Care Service

We support children and young people who are in care. Our teams promote their health and wellbeing by working closely with the people involved in their care, including parents, foster carers, social workers, leaving care personal advisors, teachers, school nurses and health visitors, GPs and paediatricians.

We also arrange health assessments for all children looked after by Berkshire’s six local authorities or placed in Berkshire by another local authority.

When a child or young person comes into care, the social worker or out of area provider should email the referral documents to our service within five calendar days.

These include:

• Part A form (if any details are missing, please note this on the form).
• Consent form.
• Parental Health form (Coram BAAF PH). Ideally sent at the time of referral, but it can be sent later as long as it's received before the Initial Health Assessment (IHA) appointment. 
• If the child is looked after by a local authority outside Berkshire, we may also need an additional information sheet.

Consent can be provided by someone with parental responsibility, a young person aged 16 or over, or a child under 16 who is Gillick competent (has enough understanding to consent).

If no parent with parental responsibility is available and the child lacks capacity, or there is no interim or care order in place, the social worker should seek advice from their Service Director and the designated nurse for Children in Care.

The consent form also allows birth parents to consent to share their own health information. Wherever possible, social workers should aim to get consent at the time of placement.

If a child in care looked after by an out of area local authority moves to live in Berkshire, the social worker or out of area provider can notify our service by email. If the child requires a review health assessment this can also be requested by the same email address.

• Children looked after by West Berkshire, Reading, Wokingham: CiCBerkshireWest@berkshire.nhs.uk
  
  
• Children looked after by Bracknell, Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead (AFC), Slough Children First: CICBerkshireEast@berkshire.nhs.uk 
  
  
• Children looked after by another local authority and living in Berkshire West (West Berkshire, Reading or Wokingham): CiCBerkshireWest@berkshire.nhs.uk
  
  
• Children looked after by another local authority and living in Berkshire East (Bracknell, Windsor Ascot and Maidenhead or Slough): CiCBerkshireEast@berkshire.nhs.uk 

Social Worker responsibilities 

These guidelines explain what social workers need to do to support health assessments for children in care and asylum-seeking young people. They cover referrals, confirming appointments, and preparing for assessment.

If the child lives within 20 miles of Berkshire, appointments will be at one of two clinics at Erlegh House or Fir Tree House. Clinics run on Mondays and Thursdays, with three morning slots starting at 9am.

If the child lives more than 20 miles away, a local provider will usually complete the assessment. Children with complex needs or recent paediatric assessments may not need an Initial Health Assessment (IHA).

Social workers should come along to the appointment with the child and their carers. It's important to bring the red book (Personal Child Health Record) if you have it, and let the team know if there are any safety concerns or if the child can’t make the appointment.

If an interpreter is needed, the social worker should arrange this. Please share the interpreter’s name and ID number before the appointment.

Assessment social stories

A health assessment is a check-up to see how you're doing physically and emotionally. We’ve created two social stories to help you understand the different assessments. Each story uses pictures and simple steps to show what will happen, so you know what to expect.

The Initial Health Assessment is your first health check after coming into care. A doctor will ask about your health and how you’re feeling. They’ll check things like your height, weight, hearing, and vision.

The Review Health Assessment is a regular check-up with a nurse. It happens every 6 months if you're under 5, and once a year if you're over 5. The nurse will ask you questions about your physical, emotional health and any concerns you may have.

Sussex CCG

Sussex CCG have created a fantastic tool to show children what to expect at their health assessment too.

• What to expect at your health assessment

NHS

The NHS website provides trustworthy information and guidance on all aspects of health and health care. You can also access your health records through your GP. This includes information about your health such as previous illnesses, allergies, vaccinations and medication you may have been prescribed. 

• The NHS website
• View your GP health record

ChatHealth text messaging service

You can text a school nurse in total confidence via our ChatHealth messaging service. It could be that you have worries about issues such as relationships, healthy eating, drugs and alcohol, anxiety, stress, low mood, bullying, self-harm, body changes, dealing with medical conditions at school, smoking or sleep.

It's available to those who live in Bracknell, Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire. ChatHealth doesn’t receive images or pictures. Please be aware that it is not a live chat session and we will aim to respond to all messages within 24 hours.

ChatHealth is not for professionals who need to speak to the Health Visiting or School Nursing Service. Please use your normal method of contact.

Childline

A confidential support service that offers free counselling, advice, and emotional support to children and young people up to the age of 19.

• Learn more

Hub of Hope

Hub of Hope is the UK's largest and most comprehensive directory of community mental health services, so you can find help when you need it, wherever you are.

• Learn more

Kooth

Kooth is an online BACP-accredited mental wellbeing community for those aged 10 to 18, which offers free and safe online support. If you're looked after by Bracknell Forest, Achieving for Children or Slough Children's Trust, you can access this service.

• Learn more

Samaritans

Provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide through its telephone helpline.

• Learn more

Tellmi

Provide free, safe, and anonymous online support for young people, including online counselling, an emotional wellbeing platform and phone app.

• Learn more

This May Help

This May Help has been created for parents and carers to help manage their child’s mental health. With videos and resources on topics such as eating disorders to self-harm and anxiety.

• Learn more

UASC Health

Provides key documents, templates, tools and clinical guidance used in Kent and Medway to support the health needs of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

• Learn more

YoungMinds

A mental health charity that provides young people with the tools to look after their mental health.

• Learn more