Looked After Children Health Team

The team comprises of 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, young people and their families and ensure a holistic assessment is provided along with individual advice.

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

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

Team Leader

Kate Walker

• Named Nurse Looked after children

• Area of specialist practice: 0- to 18-year-old Dual Health visiting and School Nurse qualified. Neurological conditions.

Specialist Nurses with a specialism in Health Visiting (0-5 year olds)

• Alison Redman
• Annmarie Bray
• Cheryl Martin
• Lisa Moore
• Mariane Callen
• Steph Harvey

Specialist Nurses with a specialism in School Nursing (5-17 year olds)

• Elizabeth Croll 
• Helen Martin
• Jessica Oakden
• Karon Halliday
• Sonia Allt
• Tracey Johnson
• Tracey Lovekin
• Victoria Edge
• Victoria Wild

Specialist Nurses with a specialism in Dual Health Visiting and School Nursing

• Annette Farnell
• Joanne Hales
• Natalie Pearson
• Sian Price

Staff Nurses

• Hollie Pearce
• Karen Evans
• Maureen Berry

Administrative Support

• Lara Thomas - Administrative Support Coordinator
• Julie Spencer
• Joanne McGraw
• Lucy Thompson
• Sharon Andrews
• Zara Whitehurst

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.

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.

• Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Health Visiting and School Nursing
• School Aged Immunisation
• Community Paediatricians in the south of Staffordshire through MPFT
• University Hospital of North Midlands, specialist hospital Paediatricians
• Speech & Language Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the south of the county
• Children and Young People Autism Service
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the north of the county through North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
• Autism Spectrum Assessment Service through North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
• Staffordshire Special Needs School Nursing Service

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• 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