This service provides specialist advice and support to children and young people placed in care by the local authorities of Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and children placed in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent by local authorities from out of the area.

We also work with children and young people that are in pre-adoptive placements.

We offer advice and support to the families and professionals that care for these children and young people, and can sign post to appropriate services where needed.

Our team undertake statutory review health assessments for children and young people, and act as the central point of contact for assessment requests, notifications for changes e.g. placement changes or granting of an adoption order.

Our Team

Our team comprises a Team Leader and specialist nurses: these are registered nurses, who have undertaken additional specialist training and development. Our nurses have lots of experience of working with children and young people and their families to ensure a holistic assessment and individual advice.

The nurses have previously worked in Health Visiting or School Nursing teams and additional experiences outside these specialist areas.

We have administration staff in the team who are experienced in the area of looked after children's health.

We provide a service to Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

Review Health Assessments

A Review Health Assessment (RHA) is a comprehensive health assessment that is completed by one of our nurses every 6 months for those under the age of 5 years, and yearly for those over the age of 5.

  • It is a statutory requirement, this means that it is a legal requirement.
  • As well as gaining a history about health and wellbeing, we will also offer advice about health issues and being healthy.
  • The aim of the Review Health Assessment is to complete an individual health care plan that is shared with the social worker, GP, and carers.
  • We aim to do the Review Health Assessment at a time and place of your choosing where possible. We will discuss this with you as some restrictions may apply.
  • Part of the Review Health Assessment for under 5 year olds is a development review. A questionnaire is sent out to complete prior to the assessment.
  • We weigh and measure the young person and offer assessment of their physical and emotional wellbeing.
  • No investigations or treatment is completed during an assessment.
  • Referral onto other services will be discussed at the time of the assessment.
  • The assessment is confidential we will give the opportunity for the young person to be seen alone where appropriate.
  • We will give the carer the opportunity to discuss any information or concerns that they may wish to share as well.
  • The young person will not be expected to talk about anything if they do not feel comfortable doing so.

How you can help with the assessment?

  • Try to be flexible with regards to appointment times, we will try our best to accommodate where we can.
  • Let us know if an interpreter is required or whether you would predict any other issues regarding the appointment.
  • Explain to your child or young person why they are attending the appointment and what to expect, reassure them that we will not be undertaking any treatment or procedures with them, or make them talk about anything that they feel uncomfortable in doing.
  • Support attendance at appointments but understand that we often ask to see young people on their own to ensure that their voice is being heard.
  • If you are unable to attend to an appointment please let us know.
  • You may find it helpful in preparation for the Review Health Assessment to gather some basic information together such as:
    • Details of any prescribed medications.
    • Dates for health appointments such as dentist, optician, GP or specialists, and details as to where they are.
    • Any concerns that you may want to raise or questions that you wish to ask at the appointment. Feel free to bring any notes if you wish.

Our Partners

The Looked After Children Health Team has developed partnerships with many agencies that work with children in care. These are services that support in helping to meet the health needs of children in care, and you may find it useful to access their services through the links below if needed. Some services will need a referral from the GP or other professionals to access the services but some may accept a self-referral.

Service Feedback

We have a service user feedback questionnaire - MPFT Feedback Centre - Looked After Children - Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent - should you wish to give any feedback on contact that you may have with our service.

If there is more specific feedback that you wish to give, then this can be done by emailing our PALS and Experience Team: palsandexperience@mpft.nhs.uk

  • NHS - Health A to Z for general health advice
  • NHS - NHS vaccinations and when to have them for up to date information related to vaccinations available on the NHS
  • NHS change4life for information about how to lead a healthy lifestyle
  • Talk to Frank for honest information about drugs
  • Stoke-on-Trent Community Drug & Alcohol Service for local support in Stoke-on-Trent with drug or alcohol misuse
  • Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Service where you can find contact details depending on the area where you live in Staffordshire
  • Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way, about whatever's getting to you. You don't have to be suicidal.
  • Headspace teaches young people all about meditation and mindfulness, which can be a valuable coping skill when feeling over-whelmed or unable to control strong thoughts and feelings. Users can sign up for free and take part in guided meditation and mindfulness session.
  • Young Minds is the UK's leading charity committed to improving the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. They also provide a Parents Helpline: a confidential service (unless the advisors think the young person is at risk). Advisors are available from 9:30am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday. The advisor will listen and give some practical guidance on how to help. If you need further help, they'll refer you to one of our specialists whether it's a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or mental health nurse. They'll arrange a phone consultation within 7 days.
  • Calm Harm is designed to help young people resist the urge to self harm. It is free and password protected.
  • Beat Eating Disorders is the UK's leading charity for supporting people with Eating Disorders. The website contains lots of useful information about types of eating disorders, as well as support helplines.
  • Rethink Mental Illness is a mental health charity which provides advice and information and a list of available support in your area.
  • Open Clinic is the website to access advice and contact details for local sexual health services as well as order online testing
  • Support Staffordshire is a directory of support that is available in Staffordshire
  • Stoke Speaks Out offers advice on how to support children and young people who have speech difficulties
  • BBC - Tiny Happy People offers advice and ideas on how to support the development of children and young people.
  • ERIC is a charity offering advice to support with bladder and bowel issues for children and young people

 

Meet the Team

Annmarie Bray

  • Specialist Nurse for Looked after children
  • Area of specialist practice: Health Visiting

Jacqui Harvey

  • Specialist Nurse Looked after children
  • Area of specialist practice: Unaccompanied asylum seeking children, care leavers and learning disabilities

Jo Hales

  • Specialist Nurse Looked after children
  • Area of Specialist practice: 0 to 18 year old Dual Health visiting & School Nurse qualified

Kate Walker

  • Named Nurse Looked after children
  • Area of specialist practice: 0 to 18 year old Dual Health visiting & School Nurse qualified. Neurological conditions.

Rachel Osbourne

  • Specialist Nurse looked after children
  • Area of specialist practice: School Nurse and Paediatric Continence / Enuresis, constipation and soiling.

Sam Chadburn

  • Specialist Nurse Looked after children
  • Area of specialist practice: Health Visiting

Steph Harvey

  • Specialist Nurse Looked after children
  • Area of specialist practice: Health Visiting

Tracey Johnson

  • Specialist Nurse Looked after children
  • Area of specialist practice: School nursing, Ear, Nose & Throat

Vicki Wild

  • Specialist Nurse Looked after children
  • Area of specialist practice: School nursing

Donna Smith

  • Administration support

Julie Spencer

  • Administration support

Lara Thomas

  • Administration support

Sharon Andrew

  • Administration support
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Looked After Children Health Team Contact Details