A. Bundle, Health of teenagers in residential care: comparison of data held by care staff with data in community child health records, ARCH DIS CH, 84(1), 2001, pp. 10-14
Aim-To identify whether there are gaps in information available to care sta
ff about the health related needs of one group of teenagers in residential
care which could be addressed by reviewing the community child health recor
ds.
Methods-Data were collected on the residents of a children's home during a
three month period, comparing information from children's home records with
information from community child health records.
Results-Data were collected from children's home records for 36 residents a
nd child health records obtained for 29. Child health records provided the
only information on 53% of child protection registrations and 17.5% of stat
ements of special educational needs. Most information on birth history, dev
elopmental and early medical history, immunisations, growth, hearing, and c
olour vision came from the child health records. Immunisation uptake was be
low the national average, and particularly poor for ECG and school leaver t
etanus, low dose diphtheria, and polio boosters. Emotional and behavioural
problems were present in 100% of the residents and this information was kno
wn to the home. Poor use of "Looking After Children" records was identified
, and there was a paucity of information in the home records and child heal
th records about results of annual looked after medical examinations.
Conclusion-important information about the health needs of looked after tee
nagers was not known to the children's home staff. Community paediatricians
should be proactive in identifying and addressing these needs.