The team launched a consultation, aimed to use creative
and young person centred approaches to capture young
people’s views on service development. They used both a
“theatre group” and “survey” approach to explore what
health means to young people in care, and how to engage
them in health activities. The results have shaped the
delivery of health services to young people 16yrs+ and
influenced commissioners and lead directors for children’s
services.
The consultation exercise highlighted the many different
ways that young people seek and receive information
around health, healthy lifestyles and health choices, e.g.
the internet, their peer group, leaflets etc., and the high
level of knowledge and awareness that young people have
about many health issues. One of the key messages
identified, however, was the need for support when
accessing services and following through healthy choices.
The results of the consultation have influenced the
commissioning of a specialist nurse post within the PCT
and further strengthened partnership working between the
PCT and the Local Authority.
Leaflets to promote health assessment processes and to
reassure young people about confidentiality have been
produced for use by social worker teams, with information
to help 16yr+ young people in care engage and use
community health services such as: registering with GP;
Dental Services; Bridges Website; Drug and Alcohol services
and Sexual Health Services. The team now offers training
to foster carers, residential care staff, social workers, health
visitors and school nurses working in Leicester,
Leicestershire and Rutland.
The consultation event was filmed and a DVD is being
produced. It is planned that the DVD will allow the young
people’s experience, views and ideas to be shared with a
wider range of professionals, carers and other young
people,
For more information on this project please contact:
Jackie.Wilkinson@leicestercitypct.nhs.uk
