Tees Valley Children in Care
Tees Valley Children in Care
You Are Not Alone
Together We Thrive
Meet the Team!
Who We Are
We are a team of Specialist nurses who assess the health needs of Children & Young People living in care in the Tees Valley area.
What We Do
We work closely with our children, young people, carers, Local Authorities and fellow health professionals to;
- Ensure a child’s positive health and wellbeing
- Act as health advocates
- Enable children in cares voices to be heard in all decisions about their health
What is a CIC?
A child who has been in the care of their local authority for more than 24 hours is known as a looked after child.
Looked after children are also often referred to as children in care, a term which many children and young people prefer.
Learn More
Initial Health Assessments
What is an Initial Health Assessment (IHA)?
An IHA for children in care is a mandatory health check-up required within 20 working days of a child entering the care system. It aims to help understand and address the child’s physical and emotional health needs, ensuring they receive appropriate support and care to be as healthy as possible.
What happens during an IHA?
The assessment will be carried out by a doctor in the hospital and is nothing to be worried about.
The doctor will ask to look in your eyes and ears, listen to your heart, measure your height and weigh you. They will ask when you last went to the opticians and dentist. They will ask if you have any concerns and you can ask questions. The doctor then writes a health plan to share with all involved in your care to help you be healthy.
Review Health Assessments
What happens after an IHA?
Following the Initial Health Assessment, a nurse from the Tees Valley Children in Care Team will visit the you every 6m up to age 5 and then every year until age 18.
This is for a Review Health Assessment (RHA) and will be carried out at a place of your choice.
What happens during an RHA?
3. The nurse will weigh and measure you, then will talk to you about keeping healthy, physically and emotionally and about keeping yourself safe.
The nurse may ask you questions and you can also ask them questions or discuss any worries you may have.
What is an RHA for?
4. Health assessments are a good chance for you to talk about your health, or anything that you are worried about.
The nurse will make a health plan to help you stay healthy and this will be given to you and everyone involved in your care.
We Respect Your Consent
If we feel that anything that you discuss needs to be shared with anyone, we will ask for your permission. The only time information would be shared without your permission is if the doctor or nurse is concerned that there is a risk of harm to you or someone else.
Reach out with Confidence
If you would like more information or support around anything you have read here, please click the button below to select your area and use the contact form on that page to get in touch!
What does it all mean?
Not sure what the different care terms mean? Click the button below to find out!
Show/Hide Care Terms
Care Leaver
A young person who was previously looked after by the local authority and has now left care, usually aged 16–25, but still receives support through pathway plans.
Child in Care (CIC)
Another term for a Looked-After Child. Often used interchangeably with LAC.
Foster Care
A placement where a child lives with a trained foster carer who provides family-based care on behalf of the local authority.
Adoption
A legal process by which all parental rights and responsibilities are transferred from the birth parents/local authority to adoptive parents.
Contact
The arrangements for a child to see or communicate with their birth parents or family while in care.
Care Proceedings
The court process used to decide whether a child should be taken into care, returned home, or placed under supervision.
Care Plan
A legal document describing how the local authority intends to meet the child’s needs while they are looked after.
Kinship Care / Connected Persons Care
When a child lives with a relative or close family friend instead of unrelated foster carers.
Residential Care
A group home or children’s home setting where staff care for several looked-after children.
Placement Order
A court order that allows a child to be placed for adoption.
Emergency Protection Order (EPO)
Allows social services to remove a child immediately from a dangerous situation for up to 8 days (extendable to 15 days).
Pathway Plan
A document outlining support, education, housing, and employment goals for a care leaver as they transition to independence.
Looked-After Child (LAC)
A child who is in the care of the local authority under the Children Act 1989. This includes children in foster care, residential homes, or with family/friends under local authority supervision.
Section 17 (Child in Need)
Support provided to families to help children remain safely at home. The child is not taken into care, but social services provide assistance.
Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)
A social work professional responsible for monitoring the child’s care plan and ensuring the local authority acts in the child’s best interests.
Supervision Order
The child remains with their parents, but the local authority supervises and supports the family for a set period.
Special Guardianship Order (SGO)
Gives a carer (often a relative) parental responsibility for a child until they are 18, without ending the legal relationship with birth parents.
Corporate Parent
The local authority and its partners have a shared legal and moral duty to act as a “parent” for children in care, ensuring they receive love, care, and opportunities like any other child.
Care Experienced
Someone who has been looked after by the local authority at any point, for any length of time. It is a broad term that includes a looked after child, previously looked after child, or adopted children who were previously looked after.
Section 31 (Care Order)
A court order placing a child under the care of the local authority when there are concerns about significant harm. The local authority shares parental responsibility with the parents. Unlike Section 20, this is not voluntary.
Section 20 (Children Act 1989)
Voluntary accommodation: A child can be cared for by the local authority with the consent of the parents or those with parental responsibility. Parents do not lose parental responsibility and can request the child’s return at any time. Usually used when parents are temporarily unable to care for the child (e.g., illness, crisis, homelessness).
Supporting You
Everyone’s journey through care is different, but no one should walk it alone. Whether you’re a young person, care leaver, parent, or supporter, we’re here to help. Find trusted resources, guidance, and support tailored to your needs, from national organisations to advice for families and care leavers.
Useful Links
Seeking Asylum
Arriving in a new country can be overwhelming, especially for young people seeking safety. At Tees Valley CIC, we understand the challenges you face and are here to offer guidance, support, and connection. From your rights to health, education, and emotional support, this section helps you find the people and information you can trust. You are not alone — you deserve to feel safe, supported, and hopeful.
Useful Links
Care Leavers
Leaving care can feel overwhelming, but support is available. If you’re under 25, and would like help with housing, education, work, training, or just someone to talk to, please click the link below.
Useful Links
Parents
If your child is in care, help is available. Get advice, guidance, and confidential support from Family Lives, the Family Rights Group, or check government resources to understand care orders and your rights.
Useful Links
Adoption
Whether you’re thinking about adoption or already an adoptive family, help is here. Barnardo’s and Adoption Tees Valley offer advice, therapy, and peer support to guide you every step of the way.
Useful Links
Foster Carers
Fostering can be rewarding but comes with challenges. Support is available from the government, The Fostering Network, and FosterSupport, offering advice, training, financial guidance, and help with decisions to ensure the best outcomes for the children in your care.
Useful Links
Welcome to
Tees Valley
The Tees Valley area includes:
Supporting You in
Darlington
In Darlington, there are people and services in place to support care-experienced young people. Whether you’re still in care or moving on to independence, you can access local support for your well-being, learning, and personal development.
Hartlepool
Hartlepool has dedicated services for care-experienced young people. Whether you’re in care, preparing to leave, or already living independently, there are people and resources here to support you!
Redcar & Cleveland
Redcar & Cleveland offers a range of support for children and young people with care experience. From practical advice to emotional well-being, the help available is designed to meet your needs and support your next steps.
Stockton-on-Tees
Support is available across Stockton for children and young people in care. Local teams, services, and organisations work together to help you access what you need — whether that’s health support, education, or someone to talk to. You can find help that understands your care experience.
Middlesbrough
If you live in Middlesbrough, there are services and professionals who are here to support you. This includes access to care-specific support, advice, and opportunities to get involved in shaping what care looks like in your area.
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