Looked after children - Me and my health
Your health whilst being looked after
Whether you are being looked after by social services or not it is important that you look after your health and that you know who to go to if you're ill.
When you first start being looked after your social worker will make sure you are registered with a doctor and dentist and will offer you a health assessment medical check up.
Your health will be looked at as part of your care plan and reviews . Your wishes, feelings and any worries about your health should be listened to and taken seriously.
Your doctor
You should be registered with a doctor (GP). If you are already registered and the surgery is not too far from where you are living you may be able to carry on seeing that doctor if you would like to. Alternatively you could register with the doctor your foster carer uses or another doctor close to where you are staying.
You should have a medical card that shows your name, address, date of birth and NHS number. You will need this card to change doctors. Don't worry if you haven't got one though, it is easy to get a replacement.
You will be put in touch with a designated doctor or nurse for looked after children. This is a doctor or nurse whose job is to help looked after children with their health. He or she will talk to you, make sure you are OK and agree with you what health plans you might have. Don't worry you don't have to have an examination, it's just a chat and younger children may also be asked to read, draw or play with toys. If you are a teenager you will be asked to have a chat with the nurse once a year to make sure you are OK.
Your dentist
Lots of people worry about going to the dentist, but if you brush your teeth twice a day have regular check-ups you are less likely to need treatment.
Your social worker will make sure you are registered with a dentist and if you are looked after for some time we will talk to you about whether you have had regular check-ups as part of your six monthly review meetings.
Your optician
If you have a medical your sight and hearing will be checked.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses you should already be having regular check-ups with an optician. If you suffer from headaches or think things (such as the board at school) look blurred you should ask your social worker, foster carer or key-worker about seeing an optician.
Health information and advice
You should be given advice and information about drugs, alcohol, relationships and sex to help you make decisions about the things that affect your health.
You should also have a chance to talk about anything that's worrying you. Growing up can be difficult and confusing for everyone has good and bad times. It often helps to talk about your problems instead of bottling them up. Other people may not be able to solve your problems for you, but they may have ideas or suggestions and just talking about things can help.
