Recommendation One:

A top level multi-agency group is established to co-ordinate, develop, manage and monitor all care and support arrangements for children who are looked after in Hampshire taking into consideration the findings of this review.

Suggested Lead: Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership

Action

Suggested

lead agency

Commentary

Maintain an overview of all strategic planning for care and support for children looked after ensuring it meets their needs

C&YPSP

Ensure that all strategic planning meets regulatory requirements

C&YPSP

Promote the needs of children looked after at county, regional and national levels

C&YPSP

Establish, support and maintain local networks who are responsible for putting strategic plans into everyday practice

C&YPSP

Promote the two principles identified through the review

1. All services should endeavour to create a culture which values children and young people.

2. All children who are looked after should be at the centre of a truly multi-agency, needs lead approach that is co-ordinated across the county

C&YPSP

Recommendation Two:

Establish a health information scheme which will enable children who are looked after to maximise their health and care choices

Suggested Lead: C&YP County Partnership Group

Action

Suggested lead agency

Commentary

Build a comprehensive directory of health and care services, what they do and how to access them. This should be available to all Hampshire children who are looked after

C&YP County Partnership group

Maintain a focus on health promotion for diet and physical activity which builds on the Health of School Age Children Recommendations 3 and 4

See Appendix B

Special provision to be made available for children and young people living in children's homes to have cookery lesions and opportunities to cook

Children's Home Managers

Recommendation Three:

Provide a comprehensive, responsive and supportive multi-agency network of services to support children looked after

Suggested Lead: C &YP County Strategy Group

Action

Suggested

lead agency

Commentary

Develop principles and protocols of good practice to enable children who are looked after to gain speedy access to all general and specialist services as and when needed

C&YP County Strategy Group

There should be a range of specialist services available to children who are looked after provided with their needs in mind

C&YP County Strategy Goup

Establish a mentoring scheme which develops professionals from a range of backgrounds to support children looked after to provide them with a consistent person to confide in, and advocate for them

C&YP County

Strategy Group

Develop principles of good practice for involving children and young people in the placements that are made

C&YP County Strategy Group

The image of professional services needs to be more approachable, child friendly and accessible

C&YP County Strategy Group

Children looked after need to be able to access NHS Dental care and should be seen as a priority group

C&YP County Strategy Group

Could be part of an overall review of access to dental services

Recommendation Four:

That Key professionals who are responsible for collating and transferring information should design, establish and monitor a transferral system that meets the needs of children, carers and professionals.

Suggested Lead: C&YP County Strategy Group

Action

Suggested

lead agency

Commentary

Review existing transfer of information systems. Identify where they can be standardised and improved to make the system speedier and more efficient

C&YP County Strategy Group

Establish improved systems ensuring that all carers, professionals and agencies are aware of new procedures

C&YP County Strategy Group

Review new procedures annually to improve and update as necessary

C&YP County Strategy Group

Promote the practice of children looked after having ownership of their own hand held records where practical

C&YP County Strategy Group

Recommendation Five:

Develop clear guidance and procedures for health assessments and GP practices.

Lead: C&YP County Strategy Group

Action

Suggested

lead agency

Commentary

New guidance on health assessment procedures developed which balances the wishes of children looked after with regulatory requirements

C&YP County Strategy Group

New guidance on good practice and procedures for all GPs highlighting registration requirements and the new holistic health approach

C&YP County Strategy Group

Recommendation Six:

Establish a training and support network to enable continual professional development and improve communication

Lead: C&YP County Strategy Group

Action

Suggested

lead agency

Commentary

A toolkit of good practice and advice for mentors and peers developed and made available

C&YP County Strategy Group

Appropriate training available for foster carers, mentors, peers, GPs and other professional staff

C&YP County Strategy Group

A support network that all carers can access as and when they need it (perhaps electronic - website and chatroom)

C&YP County Strategy Group

Improve communication between all working with children and young people who are looked after

C&YP County Strategy Group

Recommendation Seven:

Maintain an overall involvement and responsibility for review recommendations

Lead: Health Review Committee

Action

Suggested

lead agency

Commentary

Written responses to recommendations to be received within the statutory timeline of 28 days

Received from the suggested lead agencies

Responses to recommendations to be presented at the Health Review Committee meeting on 30 March 2004

Health Review Officer

Receive annual reports and updates on progress of review recommendations

Received from the suggested lead agencies

Ensure that all information relating to the review is available on the Health Review website with the aim of informing and communicating with those people working with children who are looked after

Health Review Team