Children in Care Nursing Service

Contact us

For initial health assessments (IHA) and initial adoption referrals (IAR): kentchft.LACinitialandadoption@nhs.net

RHA’s for all children placed in north and west Kent and Medway, or out of area but originally from north and west Kent and Medway: kentchft.lacrhanorth-med@nhs.net

RHA’s for all children placed in south and east Kent, or out of area but originally from south and east Kent: kentchft.lacrhasouth-east@nhs.net

For all children from another local authority placed into Kent and Medway referrals (IHA, RHA and adoption): kcht.OLALAC@nhs.net.

Who we are

We are a team of health professionals who promote the health and wellbeing of children in care

What we do

Our LAC nursing service is commissioned across Kent and Medway to deliver health assessments for all children, placed in care, by Kent County Council and Medway Council. Clinics are held at multiple locations across the county. Health assessments are held six-monthly for children aged under five and yearly for those five and over.

In addition to providing comprehensive holistic health assessments, the role of the LAC Nurse includes:

all LAC nurses are registered nurses with additional experience and, in some cases, additional nursing qualifications, such as health visiting, school nursing, midwifery, practice nursing, district nursing and sexual health
nurses participate at LAC reviews, professional meetings and network meetings
attend and participate in education plans
participate in children and young person wellbeing groups in partnership with colleges
provide packages of care for individual children
work with other agencies both within and outside of health services
direct referrals to GP and specialities
liaise with multi-disciplinary teams as required
attend local foster carer support groups
participate with delivering the Solihull parenting programme.

We also deliver health assessments focused on children in care living in Kent and Medway that are placed in the county by other councils.

Health assessments

Your health is important to us and we understand that missing school can sometimes be a concern for children and young people.

We want to assure you that your schools are well aware of how important it is for you to attend your health assessment appointment.

For initial health assessments, appointments are offered Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm and for review health assessment between 9am to 4pm, in some circumstances starting as early as 8am for your convenience.

If you cannot make the appointment offered to you, don’t worry, please have a chat with the nurse or admin team, and together, we can see if we can find an alternative time within the specified hours above that works for you.

How do you use this service?

For all children placed by Kent County Council or Medway Council referrals to be emailed by the local social services team as per the list of emails shown above.

For all children placed by councils outside of Kent and Medway, please email kcht.OLALAC@nhs.net.

Helpful links

Dental
- Children's teeth (NHS.uk)
- Healthy teeth and gums (NHS.uk)
- Take care of your teeth and gums (NHS.uk)
Mental and emotional health and wellbeing
- Confidence and self-esteem (Mind.org.uk)
- Youngminds.org.uk
Vision
- Eye tests for children (NHS.uk)
Sleep
- Sleep hygiene in children and young people | Great Ormond Street Hospital (gosh.nhs.uk)
Vitamin D
- Vitamin D (NHS.uk)
Vaccinations
- NHS vaccinations and when to have them (NHS.uk)
Healthy eating
- The eatwell guide (NHS.uk)
- Nutrition.org.uk
Safety
- Keeping children safe online (NSPCC)
Physical activity
- Physical activity guidelines for children (under 5 years) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Toileting
- ERIC
- How to potty train (NHS.uk)
Behaviour
- Dealing with child behaviour problems (NHS.uk)
Play
- Play and learning (NHS.uk)
Health Visiting
- Health Visiting Service (kentcht.nhs.uk)
- Medway Community Healthcare
Introducing solids
- Weaning - Start for Life (NHS.uk)
- Your baby's first solid foods (NHS.uk)
Physical activity / weight
- Children's-weight (NHS.uk)
- What to feed young children (NHS.uk)
- Born to move | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (kentcht.nhs.uk)
- Physical activity guidelines for children and young people (NHS.uk)
Drugs and alcohol
- Drug and alcohol support | WithYou
Online safety
- Online safety (ceopeducation.co.uk)
Sexual Health
- Get It - condoms and sexual health testing
- Kent.gov.uk
- Sexual health - Kent County Council
CSE
- How to spot child sexual exploitation (NHS.uk)
Other
- Kooth is a mental health and wellbeing online platform for young people aged 10 to 16 across the whole of Kent. The service is free and can be accessed at Kooth.com. It’s a place to get advice, information and support 24/7. Young people can chat to a friendly qualified counsellor Monday to Friday between 12 noon and 10pm and Saturday and Sunday between 6pm and 10pm.
- Accessing Moodspark.org.uk or KentResilienceHub.org.uk to learn about mental health and find tips and resources to keep emotionally healthy.
- Texting ChatHealth for support around physical and mental health on 07520 618850. The number is monitored Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Self-referring to the Children and Young People’s Counselling Service
- Accessing the Big White Wall if aged 16+ for anonymous support through.

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September 2024
Canterbury

The nurse was very professional, approachable and made it really easy for the children, so they felt at ease and relaxed.

April 2024
Medway

Always kept informed of the process. Staff member has been amazing and I thank her for all her support.

May 2023
Ashford

It was very calm and nice as Margaret listened and understood.

May 2023
Ashford

She was really good explained everything and listened. Rachel was also really good about him running around and playing in the room.

May 2023
Medway

Jo was very good at explaining things and helping child's understanding of everything. Thank you so much.

April 2023
Gravesham

Eddie is a very comforting nurse, we felt immediately at ease. Organised well, interpreter present and spoke the correct language.

April 2023
Medway

Jo is very "in touch" with young people and communication skills are fab. She is open, enthusiastic, very kind and very engaging.

April 2023
Dartford

Good information, happy experience for the children.

March 2023
Thanet

Clare was friendly, professional and excellent.

March 2023
Medway

Efficient and friendly.

March 2023
Thanet

We were met by the LAC nurse in reception area, our child was able to look around, explore and feel comfortable before entering the room. Very important for a neuro- diverse child.

January 2023
Medway

Nurse Laura interacted with a five year old, who was distracted and not very cooperative, she was efficient and made some useful suggestions.

January 2023
Maidstone

Kim put my young person at ease, listening, was non judgemental, supportive and gave advice as needed.

December 2022
Ashford

Have had Margret for several years now and she knows what the children are like and has a good rapport with them all.

December 2022
Swale

The nurse was very caring and made the young person feel at ease.

June 2022
Ashford

Good communication with Margaret, both before and during the appointments.

June 2022
Medway

Very caring, and helpful advice.

May 2022
Canterbury

The nurse was friendly and reassuring, it was helpful to know how much progress my children have made since their placement started.

May 2022
Swale

Rachel was very informative and very clear and concise.

May 2022
Medway

Good communication, friendly.

May 2022
Maidstone

We are extremely pleased with Kim - excellent service.

April 2022
Canterbury

No problems at all. The nurse came as she arranged, listened to me and what I wanted to say.

April 2022
Ashford

Margaret always takes the time to know who you are. You always feel safe and comfortable and never feel rushed. She really listens to what you say and has an abundance of information and knowledge.

April 2022
Shepway

Good explanation of nurse involvement and encouraged child to speak in own time.

March 2022
Dartford

Looked after nurse made child and us at ease.

March 2022
Thanet

The nurse was very kind and didn't push my teen to be weighed or measured and was understanding of his cultural situation.

January 2022
Ashford

Informative, friendly and relaxing.

November 2022
Swale

The appointment was carried out at a convenient time and location that was in the children's best interest.

November 2022
Ashford

The nurse was very understanding and explained everything. Really nice she talked about the other children I have to.

November 2022
Medway

Laura was very friendly and efficient making the children feel comfortable.

October 2022
Thanet

Prompt going in and very informative, patient and it was very thorough.

October 2022
Maidstone

Jess was absolutely brilliant with my two young lads. She was happy, welcoming ,friendly, knowledgeable, calm and generally lovely.

September 2022
Medway

Professional and caring.

October 2022
Medway

Amber is brilliant with young people. She is approachable and makes sure the voice of the child is heard.

September 2022
Gravesham

Thanks to Eddie our LAC Nurse it was friendly and relaxed and the children were happy to answer any questions asked.

August 2022
Swale

Rachel is easy to talk to and always listens to what we say.

August 2022
Deal

Lovely lady who put our minds at ease and who was chatty and cheerful and made the appointment a pleasure.

July 2022
Medway

Excellent service, so helpful.

July 2022
Medway

Friendly and personable nurse. Listened to concerns and gave good advice.

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