Reading List

These official sources underpin the course and are useful for supervision, policy review, health planning and refresher learning. The list includes England and UK health sources used where relevant, with separate Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland signposting so staff do not assume one nation's looked-after-children framework applies across the whole UK.

England core guidance

• Promoting the health and wellbeing of looked-after children
  Statutory England guidance on planning, commissioning and delivering health services for looked-after children.
• NICE NG205: Looked-after children and young people
  Guidance on stable placements, nurturing relationships, multi-agency working and support that promotes health and wellbeing for looked-after children and young people.
• Children's homes regulations, including quality standards: guide
  England guide to the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, covering health arrangements, welfare and everyday care quality in children's homes.
• Social care common inspection framework (SCCIF): children's homes
  Current England inspection framework, describing expectations around children's health needs and their safe management.
• Health protection in children and young people's settings, including education
  UK Health Security Agency guidance on infection prevention, outbreak response and health protection in settings used by children and young people.
• Specific settings and populations: additional health protection considerations in children and young people's settings
  UKHSA advice with additional considerations for residential settings, including children living together in residential care.

Wales signposting

• Part 6 Code of Practice (Looked After and Accommodated Children)
  Wales code of practice on care planning and support for looked-after and accommodated children, including health and personal care.

Scotland signposting

• Guidance on Health Assessments for Looked After Children in Scotland
  Scotland guidance on health-assessment responsibilities and health support for looked-after children and young people.

Northern Ireland signposting

• Looked after children
  Department of Health Northern Ireland topic page with current strategy and policy signposting for children in care.
• A Life Deserved - A Strategy for Looked After Children
  Northern Ireland strategy on improving outcomes and wellbeing for children and young people in care.
• RQIA Minimum Standards for Children's Homes
  Northern Ireland standards on health care arrangements, records and safe care in children's homes.

For daily practice, start with the child's live health plan and your home's procedures, then consult these official sources for wider guidance.