Children in care

Initial health assessment

When a child or young person comes into care, we are notified, along with University Hospitals Dorset, by the child’s social worker. 

University Hospitals Dorset will arrange an initial health assessment (IHA) with one of the community paediatricians in Dr Lachlan’s team who hold clinics in Poole and Dorchester. The child or young person will be accompanied to this assessment by their carer.

When the doctor has completed the assessment they  will draw up an initial health plan for the child or young person. This will inform the health and social care team of any identified health needs and a treatment plan.

The health recommendations from this will be sent to the carer and the young person if applicable.

Every child in care has a CiC nurse.

You can contact the team on 01305 361127 or at dhc.dorsetcichealth@nhs.net.

The continuing role of the team and review health assessments 

Review health assessments (RHAs) are carried out regularly once a child or young person has had their IHA. If the child is aged under five, we will arrange for the named health visitor to complete an RHA every six months.

All other children or young people will receive an annual RHA by one of the nurses in our team. This can be a home visit, timed after school hours to meet the child and their carer to assess and  identify any health needs and agree a plan to follow up as appropriate. It can also be in a clinic or by virtual means.  We can refer to allied health professionals and teams such as; Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service, Paediatric Care, Substance Use Services, School Health Team or GP services.

The CIC Health Team also provides training to multi-agency team members and health workshops for Children In Care.