Advice and Support for Looked After Children

HEART (Health, Education Access & Resources Team)

In addition to social work service, we provide a range of other support services to ensure that looked-after children (LAC) achieve their full potential.

The HEART Service in Enfield is jointly run by Enfield Education, Children's Services and Leisure, and the local NHS trusts for Primary Care and for Mental Health.

HEART Service is for young people in care of Enfield Council, and the people who care for and work with them. Initial contact is usually made by the child's social worker, teacher or other relevant adults.

It was established in response to local and national recognition that services for LAC - in the areas of education, mental/emotional and physical health - needed to be developed.

HEART is composed of four closely-linked parts:

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS/HEART), part of the Enfield CAMHS & EPS Service, helps children and young people, their foster families and the professional network if there is concern about emotional, behavioural and educational difficulties that the child experiences in the foster home or at school.

We offer consultation to the professional network and foster parents, assessment and therapy (individual or family) for children, young people and their foster families.

Education Service (EDUCATION/HEART) assists social workers, foster carers and teachers with the educational needs of LAC who have difficulties.

We can advise on education in general as well as on specific issues such as learning, social, behavioural, emotional, physical, sensory and developmental needs. We offer consultation, training and advice to schools, social workers and carers.

Specialist Nurse Service (NURSE/HEART) is involved in: training all health visitors and school nurses in the health reviews and development of health care plans of all LAC, and raising awareness of the health inequalities of LAC to all staff in the health service.

The nurse can provide health advice, which is on topics such as health surveillance and immunisations, to social workers, foster carers and health care workers.

Connexions Service (CONNEXIONS/HEART) gives young people opportunities to mature through sports, cultural activities, volunteering and work experience. It is about developing young people's skills, confidence and self-esteem, and supporting them in finding further education or training and work opportunities.

Connexions PA can support young people in the transition to Adolescent and Leaving Care Services.