6. Health Promotion
6.1 Young people who are looked after are recognised as being vulnerable to risk taking behaviour including unsafe sex, self- harming, substance and alcohol misuse. It is also an area where they have expressed particular interest in accessing further information. Therefore, the focus of health care planning needs should encompass health promotion as well as physical, emotional and mental health needs. Children and young people need to understand their right to good health, to be able to access services, and to have the knowledge and skills to communicate and relate to others, and take responsibility for themselves and others.
A healthy care setting
6.2 The National Healthy Care Standard will provide social services, health agencies and partner agencies with an opportunity to evidence their work in promoting health. A healthy care setting creates a healthy ethos, which can demonstrate that there is a measurable improvement in children's self-esteem, health and wellbeing.
Planning
6.3 Effective corporate parenting will provide personal, social and health education complementing that which is provided by schools. Health care and health promotion policies should describe clearly the areas to be covered, how it should be done, and the roles and responsibilities of social workers, carers and other agencies.
The following topics should be covered:
- emotional health and wellbeing;
- healthy eating;
- physical activity;
- safety and keeping safe;
- oral and dental health;
- sexual health;
- drugs, alcohol, tobacco and volatile substances.
6.4 Staff and carers will need support and training in order to feel confident in the skills and knowledge needed to promote health, particularly in relation to the legislative framework around sexual health and contraceptive services.
Partnership
6.5 Partnership working between social services staff, birth parents, health professionals, teachers and other community workers is essential. A range of local planning mechanisms will address national priorities by setting local targets to meet the needs of vulnerable children.
