Children in Care Team

Who is the service for?

The service is for all children who are in the care of Birmingham Local Authority. The service will also see children placed in Birmingham from other authorities. Referrals are received from social workers within Birmingham and nursing teams from other authorities. 

 

 

Who provides it?

The term 'child in care' refers to any child in the care of the local authority. This can mean being placed in a children’s home, foster placement, receiving respite care or on a full care order but living at home.

 

There are currently around 2,000 children in care in Birmingham. These children are some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in society. It is not unusual for some of the children to have experienced many placement changes, therefore making it difficult for them to forge relationships.

 

Due to the frequent moves they are also more likely to have missed school or even been excluded. This often means they have missed out on routine health screening and immunisations that other children benefit from. 

 

They also lose the chance of gaining valuable social skills by being able to make and keep friends. Important health promotion issues, for example, sexual health, pregnancy, drugs etc are often missed or misunderstood.

 

The Children in Care team comprises 23 nurses, including one clinical lead, 2 nursing assistants and 7 admin staff, some of whom work part-time hours.

 

We are based at the St Stephens Centre, 171 Nineveh Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B210SY

 

The nursing team undertake review health assessments.

 

We will provide a health plan, address any identified health issues and signpost to other services as required. We will give missing immunisations, carry out health promotion and screen for potential emotional well being concerns. 

 

The nurses attend strategic and operational multi agency meetings city wide.

 

The nursing assistants assist at clinic and work alongside the nurses to provide health promotion and support in a wide range of settings.

 

The administrative team are responsible for all the referrals coming into and going out of the team. They provide administrative support to the nursing team as well as answering queries from many sources.

 

The team generally works from 8.00 am til 5.00 pm, but the nurses offer flexible appointments outside of these hours at times.

 

For all appointments it is important that you bring the dates of the young persons latest dental and optician visit, also the red book if you have it.

 

Sexual health support

• Offer one-to-one contraception and relationship advice
• Offer Chlamydia testing
• Demonstrate and offer condoms
• Look out for sexual exploitation/FGM
• Act as an advocate for the young person
• Signpost to Umbrella services
• Escalate safeguarding concerns