Your health
You have the right to good health care and will continue to see any medical professional you would normally see. This would include a GP, dentist and optician. Your carer and social worker will ensure this happens.
When you first become looked after, you will receive a health assessment. Your GP or nurse for Looked After Children will check your health and answer any questions you may have. Remember it is your health, so ask about anything you don’t understand!
If you are looked after for a long time, you will receive health assessments once a year.
- Seeing a doctor
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If you have not moved far, your GP might stay the same. If you have moved to a new area, your carer or social worker will help you find a new GP.
Some advice to stay healthy:
- Walk to school.
- Cycle if you have a bike.
- Join a sports club.
- Ask to go swimming or for a run.
- Eat lots of fruit and vegetables.
- Drink water!
- Dental care
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You have the right to see the dentist and get your teeth checked out. Your dentist will make sure you are looking after your teeth properly.
Some advice for a healthy mouth:
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Floss to get between your teeth.
- Drink water rather than fizzy drinks.
- Don’t eat too may sugary foods.
- My Health Plan
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Part of your social worker’s job is to ensure you stay fit and healthy. This includes how you look after your body and your mind.
When you first come into care, you will receive a health assessment. Then, you will have one every year after that!
Your Health Plan is written by your doctor, your dentist, and any other medical professional you meet. They write down your health needs in your health plan. You will have checks every 3 or 6 months. Talk to your foster parent about this for more information.
Your health plan is completed so that we understand what you need to be healthy, and this can be given to all the adults who are responsible for your wellbeing.
- Mental Health
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The brain is a muscle, just like any other. We therefore need to look after it properly. If things are getting really stressful and you feel like you are not coping well, you can talk to social worker or visit the following websites for more information:
If you feel that you are struggling with your mental health or are looking for support with your emotional well-being, there is also the option to discuss your needs with a therapist who works with your social worker. Should it be something that you want, it may be that you can then meet with a therapist for continued support, or they may refer you to a more suitable service (such as NHS adult mental health or a local counselling service). If you think something like this would be useful, please discuss it with your social worker.