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Looked after Children Nursing Service

Providing specialist advice to support children in care, including those placed in Kent and Medway by other councils.

Contact us

0300 123 4461

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

For initial health assessments (IHA) and initial adoption referrals (IAR): kentchft.LACinitialandadoption@nhs.net

RHA’s for all children placed in north and west Kent and Medway, or out of area but originally from north and west Kent and Medway: kentchft.lacrhanorth-med@nhs.net

RHA’s for all children placed in south and east Kent, or out of area but originally from south and east Kent: kentchft.lacrhasouth-east@nhs.net

For all children from another local authority placed into Kent and Medway referrals (IHA, RHA and adoption): kcht.OLALAC@nhs.net.

Who we are

We are a team of health professionals who promote the health and wellbeing of children in care

What we do

Our LAC nursing service is commissioned across Kent and Medway to deliver health assessments for all children, placed in care, by Kent County Council and Medway Council. Clinics are held at multiple locations across the county. Health assessments are held six-monthly for children aged under five and yearly for those five and over.

In addition to providing comprehensive holistic health assessments, the role of the LAC Nurse includes:

  • all LAC nurses are registered nurses with additional experience and, in some cases, additional nursing qualifications, such as health visiting, school nursing, midwifery, practice nursing, district nursing and sexual health
  • nurses participate at LAC reviews, professional meetings and network meetings
  • attend and participate in education plans
  • participate in children and young person wellbeing groups in partnership with colleges
  • provide packages of care for individual children
  • work with other agencies both within and outside of health services
  • direct referrals to GP and specialities
  • liaise with multi-disciplinary teams as required
  • attend local foster carer support groups
  • participate with delivering the Solihull parenting programme.

We also deliver health assessments focused on children in care living in Kent and Medway that are placed in the county by other councils.

How do you use this service?

For all children placed by Kent County Council or Medway Council referrals to be emailed by the local social services team as per the list of emails shown above.

For all children placed by councils outside of Kent and Medway, please email kcht.OLALAC@nhs.net.

Your comments

April 2023
Gravesham

Eddie is a very comforting nurse, we felt immediately at ease. Organised well, interpreter present and spoke the correct language.

April 2023
Medway

Jo is very "in touch" with young people and communication skills are fab. She is open, enthusiastic, very kind and very engaging.

April 2023
Dartford

Good information, happy experience for the children.

March 2023
Thanet

Clare was friendly, professional and excellent.

March 2023
Medway

Efficient and friendly.

March 2023
Thanet

We were met by the LAC nurse in reception area, our child was able to look around, explore and feel comfortable before entering the room. Very important for a neuro- diverse child.

January 2023
Medway

Nurse Laura interacted with a five year old, who was distracted and not very cooperative, she was efficient and made some useful suggestions.

January 2023
Maidstone

Kim put my young person at ease, listening, was non judgemental, supportive and gave advice as needed.

December 2022
Ashford

Have had Margret for several years now and she knows what the children are like and has a good rapport with them all.

December 2022
Swale

The nurse was very caring and made the young person feel at ease.

June 2022
Ashford

Good communication with Margaret, both before and during the appointments.

June 2022
Medway

Very caring, and helpful advice.

May 2022
Canterbury

The nurse was friendly and reassuring, it was helpful to know how much progress my children have made since their placement started.

May 2022
Swale

Rachel was very informative and very clear and concise.

May 2022
Medway

Good communication, friendly.

May 2022
Maidstone

We are extremely pleased with Kim - excellent service.

April 2022
Canterbury

No problems at all. The nurse came as she arranged, listened to me and what I wanted to say.

April 2022
Ashford

Margaret always takes the time to know who you are. You always feel safe and comfortable and never feel rushed. She really listens to what you say and has an abundance of information and knowledge.

April 2022
Shepway

Good explanation of nurse involvement and encouraged child to speak in own time.

March 2022
Dartford

Looked after nurse made child and us at ease.

March 2022
Thanet

The nurse was very kind and didn't push my teen to be weighed or measured and was understanding of his cultural situation.

January 2022
Ashford

Informative, friendly and relaxing.

November 2021
Whitstable

Nurse very easy to talk to. Very engaging with young person. Very helpful with advising about other services available.

November 2021
Thanet

The children felt very comfortable with Clare.

November 2021
Ashford

Very professional, caring and knowledgeable.

October 2021
Deal

Professional and exceptional care. Health care assessment provided.

November 2022
Swale

The appointment was carried out at a convenient time and location that was in the children's best interest.

November 2022
Ashford

The nurse was very understanding and explained everything. Really nice she talked about the other children I have to.

November 2022
Medway

Laura was very friendly and efficient making the children feel comfortable.

October 2022
Thanet

Prompt going in and very informative, patient and it was very thorough.

October 2022
Maidstone

Jess was absolutely brilliant with my two young lads. She was happy, welcoming ,friendly, knowledgeable, calm and generally lovely.

September 2022
Medway

Professional and caring.

October 2022
Medway

Amber is brilliant with young people. She is approachable and makes sure the voice of the child is heard.

September 2022
Gravesham

Thanks to Eddie our LAC Nurse it was friendly and relaxed and the children were happy to answer any questions asked.

August 2022
Swale

Rachel is easy to talk to and always listens to what we say.

August 2022
Deal

Lovely lady who put our minds at ease and who was chatty and cheerful and made the appointment a pleasure.

July 2022
Medway

Excellent service, so helpful.

July 2022
Medway

Friendly and personable nurse. Listened to concerns and gave good advice.

May 2021
Whitstable

Very thorough, friendly and professional. Was also informed of other services available to us in the community. (Parent/Carer)

October 2021
Deal

Professional and exceptional care health care assessment provided. (Parent/Carer)

August 2020
Ashford

Nurse engaged very well with my child and really put her at ease. (Parent/Carer)

September 2020
Maidstone

Well organised, easy to use service with the most caring and helpful people to speak to. (Parent/Carer)

October 2020
Medway

Jackie has always been a fantastic support for us and our foster child not just in the health assessment but when we have needed support and guidance. (Parent/Carer)

December 2020
Thanet

It was a complete and thorough check up. (Parent/Carer)

January 2021
Deal

Jill was very friendly and I enjoyed talking to her. (Age 12-18)

February 2021
Sevenoaks

Kim was polite and friendly, put my young person as ease and gave really good advice in a manor that my young person was able to understand. (Parent/Carer)

March 2021
Thanet

Gwen was really nice and I was comfortable speaking to her. (Age 12-18)

July 2020
Swale

The nurse is always very friendly and easy to talk to. (Parent/Carer)

June 2020
Ashford

Being able to have the appointment over WhatsApp video call was very good. The child was able to see who they were talking to as we couldn't have a face to face appointment.

June 2020
Whitstable

Quick, efficient and knowledgeable.

May 2020
Gravesham

Easy to talk to, everything explained well.

April 2020
 Canterbury

To be honest (staff name) has been one of the most productive people I have spoken to who was really understanding. The children both spoke to her on the phone and I was so proud of them talking about their health. She just asked the right questions to get them to talk. Even though it was on the phone, (staff name) really listened and helped me think about the children's problems differently. It's the best health assessment we have had.

March 2020
Dartford

Caring approach of the practitioner.

January 2020
Canterbury

She listened to what I was saying and was understanding. (Aged 12-18)

January 2020
Swale

(Staf name) gave my foster child the opportunity to speak openly about anything and everything.

January 2020
Dover

Good advice, convenient home visit as I do not drive. Good telephone advice throughout the year which made a difference in the care of the child.

December 2019
Shepway

Very efficient and professional.

December 2019
Ashford

Informative and friendly.

December 2019
Dartford

Very lovely nurse, good at explaining and helpful.

July 2019
Thanet

She listened to me and gave me advice with my weight, my emotional well being and my life in general. (Age 12-18)

July 2019

The person who talked to me was really helpful, kind and understanding. (Age 12-18)

July 2019
Ashford

Someone to go to to get advice and help. Lovely to talk to.

June 2019
Ashford

Factual, informative and helpful.

June 2019
Dover

We have found both nurses have been sensitive and supportive and responded to the needs of the young person.

February 2019
Ashford

Appointment was on time, information and advice very good.

February 2019
Deal

I could talk about anything. (Aged 12-18)

January 2019
Other Local Authority

[Staff Member] was very friendly , listened to me and offered to help. (Parent/Carer)

January 2019
Maidstone

All information clear, easy to understand, kind, friendly staff that are approachable, helpful.

January 2019
Tunbridge Wells

Very professional, kind staff , good explanation of procedures.

January 2019
Maidstone

I was listened to. Everything was checked before it was written. It was my words and it was true. (Age 12-18)

January 2019
Sevenoaks

[Staff member] listened well to my views and opinions. (Age 12-18)

January 2019
Shepway

[Staff member] had a calm manner despite my young person's initial challenging attitude. She managed to get more information than we thought they would willingly share. (Parent/Carer)

January 2019
Deal

Questions asked in a simple way making it easy to understand. Friendly approach put us at ease. (Parent/Carer)

June 2018
Thanet

She was really nice and really friendly and I was really happy. (Aged 11 and under)

June 2018
Shepway

Local to home. Nurse always nice.

June 2018
Ashford

The lady was caring and listened to me. (Aged 12-18)

June 2018
Gravesham

Immediately made my daughter feel at ease, so she was able to express her feelings/concerns.

May 2018
Dartford

The person i saw was really kind and funny, she listened to me and answered all my questions. (Aged 12-18)

May 2018
Tonbridge and Malling

Very friendly and welcoming. Made to feel at ease.

April 2018
Ashford

Very positive assessment, good outcomes .

April 2018
Maidstone

Helpful advice from nurse. Very positive. I felt i was listened to.

March 2018
Whitstable

The LAC Nurse who visited was very professional and extremely thorough. She has identified my children's needs and has been supportive in helping me find professionals to support them.

March 2018
Dartford

Very easy to arrange and helpful information given.

February 2018
Tonbridge& Malling

Really helpful coming to the house, very child friendly.

February 2018
Thanet

Altogether a great experience
Thank you

February 2018
Dartford

Lovely nurse, informative and polite.

February 2018
Sevenoaks

Comprehensive, kind, informative and supportive.

February 2018
Ashford

The LAC nurses are supportive, helpful, and professional at all times.

January 2018
Whitstable

Very friendly and seen on time.

January 2018
Ashford

All the questions that I had were answered and taken seriously. (Aged 12-18)

December 2016
Dover

Very relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Lovely nurse - put us at ease.

December 2016
Tonbridge & Malling

Friendly and informal, which puts the children at ease, resulting in good communication and a realistic view of them and their home life.