Planning
In Kent, the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children continues to grow and this puts enormous pressure on all systems across health, social care, police, education, housing and the voluntary sector.
Strong foundations
These are formed by building good health response systems. We have reflected on our learning from those system-wide pressures and below are our recommendations to developing an emergency health response.
Every contact counts: All those in contact with UASC should have access to information and support regarding key challenges and vulnerabilities the population face.
Executive level rapid response
Senior members of statutory agencies have an established mechanism to meet and coordinate the delivery of UASC response - this includes a multi-agency agreement to establish the tipping point at which providers cannot manage the increased demand against the commissioned service. This response must have strong links with safeguarding and corporate parenting boards.
Robust information sharing
LAC commissioners and providers, with oversight from LAC Designated Professionals must establish robust information sharing protocols and develop strong operational pathways. A critical indicator for success is an open and honest working relationship between the councils, ICBs, police and providers.
Building primary care expertise
GPs and primary care are key to supporting improved health outcomes for UASC in addressing immediate health concerns and ensuring the ongoing health recommendations from Initial Health Assessment are completed.
ICBs should make sure that primary care practitioners are offered support and/or trained in understanding, recognising and managing the health needs of UASC. Should your local authority area indicate a large number of UASC may enter your area, you may wish to consider developing GP with special interest roles to support the health care response.
Consider immediate health needs
Provide guidance for social care staff and foster carers on when to use hospital emergency department, and immediate support regarding sleep issues (body clock) and nutrition.
Make sure UASC are registered with a GP as a matter of priority and have access to primary care and immunisations. This could include mass treatment protocols such as scabies.
Children, who have been moved from Kent through the National Transfer Programme, will have had Fitness to Transfer (FTT) health screening, delivered by appropriately trained staff that are supported and work is quality assured by the designated doctor for Kent. Make sure that the screening report is considered at the earliest point of a child arriving into your area.
Young people becoming looked after and remaining in your council's care will need an Initial Health Assessment. It possible this could overwhelm your current Initial Health Assessment commissioned service. Stay close to your provider and make sure they are kept informed of numbers and council commitments to take in UASC.
Make sure allied services required to meet the health recommendations that come from the Initial Health Assessment are aware and mobilised. These include dental, ophthalmology, sexual health, TB screening, mental health, blood borne infection screening etc.
Make sure that three months after the Initial Health Assessment, that the health care plan is reviewed to make sure actions have been progressed. All partner agencies have a responsibility to make sure all health actions are being progressed; this includes health, social care, independent reviewing officer, mental health etc.
Make sure any additional actions results from screening are manged effectively. For example, the subsequent treatment required for a BBI result.