This Guidance is the product of a close collaboration between colleagues in the Department of Health and in the field. The response to the consultation exercise was very constructive and positive and resulted in a continuing dialogue with many practitioners developing innovative practice models to address the health inequalities experienced by this population of children and young people.
The Department is especially indebted to the children and young people who have shared their views and experiences, to the Councils who enabled their young people to participate in the consultation exercise and to the Children's Society who shared the findings from their own consultation exercise. The approach reflected in the guidance has been informed by many models of good practice found in the field especially the service offered to looked after children and young people in Sunderland by Dr Jan Welbury and colleagues and in Southampton by Dr Cathy Hill and colleagues. Particular thanks are also given to Dr Cathy Hill and Professor David Hall for their permission to use material from the forthcoming publication "Health for all Children"
for the section on research and evidence. Many other professionals from a range of disciplines have also contributed good practice examples cited in the guidance. Finally, thanks goes to the Quality Protects Health Group for their continuing support and advice.
The development of this work has reflected a collective commitment to improve the health of looked after children and young people.
