Service detail

The Looked After Children health team provides health services for children who are looked after and placed by Lewisham Children’s Social Care (CSC).

A small number of children we see are looked after by other local authorities.The Looked After Children health team provides health services for children who are looked after and placed by Lewisham Children’s Social Care (CSC). A small number of children we see are looked after by other local authorities.

We see children and young people who are subject to a care order or other court order, including those on an adoption pathway. This includes children who are accommodated voluntarily, are in respite care, on remand and young asylum seekers who have travelled to the UK without their parents or carers.

What we do

Statutory Health Assessments for children looked after: Initial health assessments when a child first comes into care followed by annual reviews for those over 5 years or every 6 months for children under 5 years. 

Health promotion, advice, referrals and signposting for issues such as sleep, healthy eating, dental health, optical health, alcohol/drug use, sexual health, relationships, mental health, smoking/vaping.

Adoption and Fostering: we provide advice and support at Adoption Panels and Agency Decision Maker (ADM) meetings to give medical advice on children and prospective adopters; as well as medical advice on prospective foster carers to the Fostering Panel.

Liaison with other professionals including children’s social care, foster carers, residential homes, specialist schools, mental health services, school nurses, health visitors and other health and social care professionals