The team provide a service to all children looked after and care leavers in Kirklees. Outreach work is also provided to those Kirklees children who are accommodated within a reasonable distance of the Kirklees area.
The work promotes the health and well-being of children in care and leaving care, including those with complex needs and disabilities.
Other Local Authorities may request support for CLA & CL team who have been accommodated in Kirklees. This can be for example in the completion of health assessments or signposting to local services.
The team provide training and support to Residential Homes, Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings Placements, as well as to staff in the Local Authority, GP’s and Locala.
The Designated Doctor and Paediatrician for children in care, are based at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and are employed by Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust (CHFT). Initial Health Assessments are carried out within 20 working days of the child coming into care and are held at Acre Mills in Lindley. The clinic is led by the Paediatricians, supported by the CLA & CL nurses and administrators in Locala, CHFT and the Local Authority (LA).
Review Health Assessments follow on with regard to timescales based on the child’s age. These are shared between, Locala 0-19 teams, and the CLA & CL nurses. A small number of assessments are carried out by other authority LAC Nurse Teams, if the child is accommodated at a distance from Kirklees.
The Team link with Locala Sexual Health Outreach Team and the Substance Misuse Outreach Worker from ‘The Base’. A close relationship exists with Kirklees Social Workers and co-location supports this model. The team are also part of the Locala Vulnerable Children’s Unit, which includes the family health Team, Youth Offending Team and Pupil Referral Unit Nurses.
The CLA & CL Nurses and LA Business Support Officers are based within the Local Authority CLA & Care Leavers Service, Civic Centre 1, Huddersfield HD12NF Tel. 01484 221000
Business Administration is provided through Locala Safeguarding & LAC Administration at Batley Health Centre and at CHFT.
Hours 9-5pm (slight flexibility) Monday to Friday.
Children's Social Care - 01484 221000.
Ask the operator for the ‘Looked After Children’s Health Team’. Working hours are generally 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Not available Bank Holidays.
Designated Nurse – Kerry Matthews (West Yorkshire ICB)
Named Nurse/Team Leader – Gill Ridsdale Contact no – 07763 548492, [email protected] or [email protected]
Specialist Nurses – Katie Dollive, Louise Greenwood, Lynda Hirst, Katie Kaye, Vicky Longbottom, and Louise McConnell.
Local Authority CLA Administrators – Glenda Roberts & Nicci Lawrence. [email protected] or [email protected]
Contact no - 01484 221000 (Automated switch board please ask for Children looked after Health team)
Referrals to this service come from within social care teams.
