About us

The Children Looked After health services in Kingston and Richmond boroughs aim to support the health and wellbeing of children and young people who are looked after by the local authority, sometimes known as children in care.

Health assessments

It is a legal requirement for all children and young people in care to have health assessments, which the Children Looked After Health Teams provide.

During the health assessment, the child or young person will have the opportunity to talk about issues relating to their health – such as diet, exercise, sleep, healthy living, healthy relationships, and risk behaviours.

The health assessment is carried out by a healthcare professional. Initial health appointments will be with a doctor, usually a community paediatrician. 

Health review appointments will be with either a specialist nurse for children/young people in care, or a community paediatrician for pre-school children. 

At the health assessment, the child or young person and their carer will be asked about health and well-being questions, covering topics such as general health, eating/diet, sleep, hearing, vision, dental, development, education, emotional health, relationships, and behaviour.

They will have the opportunity to discuss any health concerns and questions and the healthcare professional will also discuss health promotion advice, signposting to support services as needed, and referrals to other health services as relevant.

Health records are checked to ensure that immunisations are up to date.

If the child is seen by a paediatrician, they will have a general medical examination and a developmental assessment for pre-school children. Children/young people will also have their weight and height checked at health reviews.

Discussions around emotional health and healthy lifestyle are an important part of the health assessment for young people.

The health assessments are statutory obligations and must be undertaken within the first month of a child or young person coming into care.

An appointment may be arranged either by a telephone call or email or letter.

The Children Looked After health teams will book an appointment for the child or young person with their carer once a referral with consent for the health assessment has been received from the responsible local authority. Sometimes there are delays with referrals and the health appointment may happen later.

If the child has had another holistic health assessment within the last three months, then this information may be sufficient, and a further appointment may not be required. The decision whether another health appointment is necessary will be decided on case-by-case basis by the named health professionals, after reviewing the available health information and any outstanding health concerns.

If the child remains in care, health assessments will take place every six months for children under 5 years, and every twelve months for children between 5 and 18 years.

A health recommendations plan will be drawn up to support the child or young person, their carers and social worker to ensure that the child/young person will stay as healthy as possible, enjoy achieving and attending education, and stay safe.

The child or young person and their carer will be sent a copy of the health recommendations plan.

Referrals

Children are referred into this service by their social worker. 

Children and young people looked after by Richmond or Kingston local authorities, parents, foster carers and social workers can contact the specialist and named health professionals for Children in Care in Richmond and Kingston for advice and information more flexibly without referral. 

Contact information

Kingston

Email:
hrch.clakingston@nhs.net

Telephone:
020 8891 8135

Staff contact details

Named nurse – Ian Fisher

Specialist nurse – Isabelle (Izzy) Prentice

Email:
hrch.clarichmond@nhs.net

Telephone:
020 8891 8135
(Admin Office - Ham Clinic)

Staff contact details

Named nurse – Ian Fisher

Specialist nurse for children in care (Richmond) – Hannah Dunckley  

Named Doctor for Children in Care (Richmond) – Dr Katalin Schneider

Care leavers

The NHS app gives you access to your GP health record. To download the NHS app you need to be over 13 and registered at a GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man. 

More information about the NHS App

As a Care Leaver in Kingston and Richmond you are eligible for free prescriptions under the local offer – contact your Personal Advisor.

For health advice outside of normal working hours and at weekends, call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk.

When you move to a new area, register with a nearby GP practice as soon as possible. Once registered, you will be able to visit a doctor when you need help and support for your emotional and physical health.

To register with a GP, you will need to complete a registration form and you will be asked for proof of address and some identification.

Find your nearest GP practice

As well as brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, you should register with a dentist that treats NHS patients, and have a routine dental check as recommended by the dentist.

Find a dentist

If you wear glasses already you should be seen every year for a check-up.  If you don’t wear glasses, you should have your eyes checked every two years.  

Find an NHS sight test

Being immunised is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves against ill health. Immunisations prevent up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year.

Since immunisations were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or seen very rarely.

Most of your childhood immunisations are completed between birth and 6 years. Many immunisations are given more than once, at different ages, and in combinations. This means that a careful record of your immunisations should be kept.

Although your GP practice will also keep track, people change doctors, records get lost, and the person ultimately responsible for keeping track of your immunisation is you.  

If you are travelling abroad, you may need some extra immunisations. 

More about vaccinations and when to have them

A balanced diet is essential for good health. This includes eating a variety of foods from the 5 main food groups:

  1. Fruit and vegetables
  2. Starchy food: Bread, rice, pasta etc
  3. Milk and dairy: cheese, yoghurts
  4. Protein: meat, fish, eggs, beans
  5. Food and drinks high in fats and sugar

Things to remember

  • Have 3 meals a day
  • Eat a variety of foods using the ‘Eat well’ plate as a guide
  • Only eat sweet treats and fast foods once a week, or less if possible
  • Eat when you are hungry. Don’t keep eating if you feel full
  • Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water

Being active helps to improve your health and your mood, and keeps your body weight in check.

The NHS recommends that adults are active every day. This should be moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking fast or cycling for a total of at least for 2 hours and 30 minutes every week.

You should also do some exercises to strengthen your muscles at least twice a week.

More about healthy lifestyles

Taking care of our sexual health is a vital part of our physical and mental wellbeing. It is important that everyone can make positive choices and be able to talk openly about sex to promote healthy sexual relationships.

Consent is also an essential part of healthy relationships and it’s important to know what it is: both you and the person you’re with always need to consent before sex or any intimate activity.

You can get sexual health advice from your GP, local sexual health services and different websites.

Health, emotional wellbeing and happiness advice (Achieving for Children)

Local offer for Care Leavers in Kingston and Richmond  (Achieving for Children)

GOV.UK website
Information about all government services including information about benefits, visas and immigration, tax etc.

NHS Low Income Scheme
You may be eligible for support with NHS costs if you are on a low income. 

Job opportunities for care leavers (Care Leavers Wanted)

Shelter homelessness advice
Advice about what to do if you are homeless. They offer a free housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444

Female genital mutilation (FGM) help and advice

The Mix
A ‘guide to life’ website for 16-25 year olds, with information about housing, money, work/study issues as well as health.

Rise Above
A sharing experiences website using stories, videos, games and advice. Topics include body talk, friends, love life and mental wellbeing. 

Emotional Health Service at Achieving for Children

Kooth
Online counsellors available 24/7 to support you when you are not feeling well or have questions and or just want to be heard straight from your phone.         

Young Minds
Charity that works to improve emotional health of children and young people and has information about organisations that offer on-line support.

Abuse in teenage relationships - Reducing the risk

Samaritans 
Talk to someone, 24/7, if you're having a difficult time.

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

Men's Minds Matter
Psychological interventions for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, and raising awareness about male suicide.

Mind for young people
Mental health charity.

The Ollie Foundation
Suicide prevention and wellbeing charity.

Suicide Prevention UK
Help for you or someone else. SPUK can help guide you through the darkest days that mental health challenges can bring.

Peer pressure: What it is and how to say no (Childline)

Kingston service

Richmond service

Drink Aware
Lots of useful facts about alcohol, including what an alcohol unit is and a unit calculator to help track your drinking habits.

Recognising substance abuse (UK Addiction Treatment Centres)

Talk to Frank
Friendly, confidential drugs advice

Young Minds drugs and alcohol advice

NHS Smokefree