Looked after children

News

New standards launched to improve health and wellbeing for children and young people in care across the UK

13 November 2025

The �鶹ӰԺ has published new Initial Health Assessment Delivery Standards.

Resource

Initial Health Assessment Delivery Standards

These standards aim to improve children and young people’s experience of initial health assessments (IHAs), their outcomes and their health and wellbeing. They were published by RCPCH in November 2025 and are badged by CoramBAAF.

Safeguarding

Looked after children

Models of care

Resource

Safeguarding children and young people and CYP in care: competencies for health care staff (ICD)

The 5th edition of this Intercollegiate Document (ICD) is published on a dedicated website as of autumn 2025. It outlines competencies for each of the five levels of health care staff who support children and young people and for senior managers and executives.

Safeguarding

Looked after children

News

A manifesto for Wales - why now and why not you?

17 April 2025

The Senedd election in Wales is next May. So what better time, suggests Officer for Wales Dr Nick Wilkinson, to help ensure child and adolescent health and wellbeing top the list for debate? Here's how members in Wales can engage with our recently published manifesto.

News

Join us in Glasgow for Annual Conference, changes at NHSE & your input on website changes - President's update

14 March 2025

The College Conference in Glasgow is just around the corner, with over 1,600 delegates already registered. This update reflects on the history of College meetings, including the 1934 conference, and how things have evolved since then.

News

A busy week in the child health world - President's update

3 February 2025

Steve covers lots of topics this week, including applications to ST1, mental health services and data from the new RSV vaccine. He also introduces our Air Pollution Companion and shares recent policy work from the devolved nations.

News

Putting child health at the centre of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

16 January 2025

This blog sets out the main themes of the Bill and highlights its most significant aspects for children, young people and RCPCH members. Children’s social care and schools are devolved policy issues, so most of the legislation will apply in England only.

News

A silver slipper? Two new champions for child health

28 October 2024

Dr Nick Wilkinson, RCPCH Officer for Wales explores the importance of sponsorship and new opportunities in this blog.

News

�鶹ӰԺ responds to worrying health data in latest children's commissioners report on children seeking asylum

30 November 2023

The report highlights several serious health and safeguarding concerns for unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the UK.

Resource

Healthcare standards for children and young people in secure settings

There are about 1,000 children and young people placed in secure settings at any one time on justice or welfare grounds. This cohort of children often have complex needs that span mental health, neurodevelopmental need, substance misuse, and physical health, which can be hard to reach through tradit...

Engaging children and young people

Looked after children

Service design