You and your health

Medicals

Why do I have to have a medical or health assessment?

You have a right to good health care from a doctor, nurse, dentist, optician or a consultant when you need it. It is always important that you look after your own health and well-being. We also have a duty to look after you and make sure that you are well and healthy. We do this by arranging for you to see a doctor or nurse when you first go to a foster home or Children's Home and then once a year afterwards.

This is called a health assessment or medical.

Can I say no?

It is really important that you have a health assessment. This will make sure you are well and healthy and are given the care and support that you need. If you really do not want to see a doctor or nurse when you first come into Foster Care or Children's Home you should talk to your Social Worker, a worker in the Children's Home, your foster carer or your family. You have a right not to see a doctor. However, if adults are worried about your health then you will be encouraged to talk with a doctor. In some circumstances you will have to see a doctor. Once you are 16, it is your decision to have a health assessment or any other treatment. We will always encourage you to look after yourself, your health and your general well being.

Do others see my medical notes of file?

Normally other people are not allowed to see your medical and health notes. Conversations that you have with your doctor or other health professional are confidential between yourself and the person you are talking to. Details of your medical notes or of conversations with your doctor can only be passed on to other people like social workers, carers or family if you are at risk of harm or danger, or with your permission. For more info on health issues take a look at the websites listed below:

www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk

If your doctor or another health professional is worried that you are at risk of harm then they may pass information onto your Social Worker or carer. You can ask your doctor whether or not they are going to do this.

What happens if I need to take medicine?

If you have to take medicine your foster carer or Children's Home will need to know about this. They will write this in a book. This is to make sure that you take the prescribed dose and don't miss any doses or take too much. This information may be passed onto other workers to make sure that you are safe at all times.

Will I have the same doctor, dentist or optician?

Where possible you will stay registered with your family GP, dentist or optician. If it is not possible for you to stay with the same one, you can join your foster carer's or Children's Home GP/Dentist/Optician.

Sex and relationships

Should I? Shouldn't I? Making the choice...

Other people cannot make up your mind about whether or not to have sex. Here are some things to do that may help you make this decision:

talk to your parents/carers
talk to a friend you respect and trust
talk to a professional (at a clinic/at school/at the doctor's surgery)
make sure you're protected from harm, disease and pregnancy
make sure you are physically and emotionally ready
make sure that you and your partner care about and respect each other

Whatever decision you make, the most important thing is to make sure that you are doing it because you want to and that you won't regret it later. This means stopping and thinking about your decision before you have sex. If you do decide to have sex make sure you are safe.

What is the age of consent?

The age of consent for having sex between a boy and a girl is 16, between two young men it is 16 and there is no age of consent between two young women.

Safe Sex

If you do decide to have sex, it is very important to think about contraception and safer sex. Responsibility for contraception and safer sex is a joint one between you and your partner. Before you decide to have sex you must think about:

Protecting against pregnancy
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

Try and talk to an adult you trust. That could be your parent or carer, an older sibling or a doctor or nurse. If you do not want to speak to someone you know you can contact a local clinic or advice line who will offer free confidential advice.

What are STIs?

STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection. They are germs, viruses or bacteria which are passed on during sex. HIV is an STI but there are lots of others, such as Herpes, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Hepatitis B and Genital Warts.

How can I avoid catching an STI?

It is important to think about contraception before you have sex. There are a number of different forms of contraception which are available which will protect you from pregnancy but will not protect you against STI's. Condoms are one of the best ways of protecting you from both pregnancy and STI's. Using a condom is not a 100% guarantee of not catching an STI but it does offer good protection.

How will I know if I've got an STI?

Most STI's will show themselves in one way or another. There are things that you can look out for such as, soreness, swelling, pain or unusual discharge. There are some serious STI's which show no obvious signs, such as HIV or Chlamydia.

What should I do if I think I have an STI?

If you're worried after having sex you should speak to an adult, your GP or a nurse. If you don't want to speak to someone you know then you can visit a sexual health clinic where you can speak in confidence. For more info on sex, STI's and contraception take a look at the websites listed below:

www.ruthinking.co.uk

www.playingsafely.co.uk

www.brook.org.uk

www.teenagehealthfreak.com

If you think you have an STI it is very important that you don't have sex. Wait until your GP or a clinic has said you are now clear of infection.

What should I do if I think I'm pregnant?

You need to have a pregnancy test as soon as possible. Your GP will be able to do a free pregnancy test. If you do not feel happy to go to your GP then talk to your Social Worker or you can contact one of the clinics or help lines listed below. They will be able to offer you an appointment to have a test or give you details of your nearest clinic. If you are worried about anything to do with contraception, pregnancy or STI's you can speak to your Social Worker, your carer or your GP. If you would rather speak to somebody else then you can contact;

Brook Emergency Contraception helpline: 0207 617 0801

Sexwise: 0800 28 29 30

National Aids Helpline: 0800 567123

RISQ Health Service for Young People: 01952 200 070

You and your emotions

Feeling stressed, worried or upset?

Most people experience stress, upset or feeling low at some time. This can affect how you handle day-to-day problems and enjoy life. Feeling stressed or upset can be caused by a number of things, such as relationship problems, living somewhere different, school problems, friendships or the death of someone close. The way you feel about your looks and how you think other people see you can also make you feel upset or stressed.

As a teenager you have to cope with many changes. You will need the support of friends and family to help you through it. Sometimes these problems get on top of you and are hard to cope with. The important thing to
remember is it is not your fault, these problems are very common and you are not alone. We all get sad, angry or stressed out sometimes. Try to chill out when you don't feel good. There are loads of things you can do to help.

What can I do?

Different things will work for different people. So you need to find what works for you. Here are some suggestions:

Letting out your emotions - let people know how you feel. Talk to close friends, family members, carers or to your teacher.
Taking time for yourself - take time to listen to music, read a book, see a film, or have a relaxing bath.
Getting out and about - seeing friends is a good way to cheer yourself up. Also, you could join a local group, or get involved in an after-school activity.
Getting active - exercise is a good way of dealing with stress and worry, as well as being good for your physical health. It can also be a good way of meeting new people. Find out what goes on in your area. This information should be available from your local library, school or college.
Do the things that you enjoy most - if you have a hobby or interest like reading, painting or a particular game or sport then this will be a great way to make yourself feel good.
Get help - there is always someone that you can talk to about your problems or feelings. Even if you do not want to speak to your social worker, carer or parents there are lots of places that you can contact to have a chat about your problems and feelings.

Getting help for Serious Concerns...

Feeling depressed?
Crying all the time?
Feeling low for long periods of time?
Have difficulty eating or sleeping?
Feeling lonely?
Feeling like things just won't get better?
Harming yourself?

If you feel any of these things you should get some help and support. If you don't want to speak to your family, carers or Social Worker then you should:

Speak to your GP. Your GP will probably need to contact your Social Worker and your carers to make sure that you receive all the help and support that you need.
Or call Childline on Freephone 0800 1111
Or call The Samaritans on 08457 909090. Somebody will be available to talk to you 24 hours a day.
Or go to the Young Minds website, www.youngminds.org.uk. You will find lots of links that offer information and advice on emotional health issues for children and young people.

Drugs and alcohol

Why do people drink alcohol and take drugs?

There is a lot of pressure when you are growing up to do what every one else is doing. Some people drink alcohol, smoke or use drugs or solvents because they think it will help them escape from problems or just because it is something their friends do. But there are many reasons why alcohol, smoking and drugs are not good for you.

Why shouldn't I drink too much or take drugs?

Effects on your body

There are serious effects on your body when you take drugs or drink alcohol regularly. Sometimes these can be immediate for example abuse of some solvents can kill you instantly.

Longer term, you may have liver damage or liver failure, if you drink too much alcohol. Smoking can cause lung cancer and chest problems and some drugs can cause mental health problems.

Effects on your emotions

When you get used to relying on drugs to make you feel better, it's harder to give them up and find other ways of managing your life. Some drugs can make you feel very low and even cause long term depression.

Here are some details of organisations and websites which may be able to help you through your problems:

Childline, freephone 0800 1111

The Samaritans, 08457 909090 (24 hours)

www.teenagehealthfreak.com

The Law

The Law puts drugs into 3 categories; A, B and C.

Class A drugs include Cocaine, Ecstasy, Heroin, LSD and magic mushrooms
Class B drugs include Speed, Cannabis and Amphetamines
Class C drugs include Ketamine, tranquilisers and some painkillers It is illegal to have in your possession any of the drugs in any of the categories. It is also illegal to supply drugs to other people, this includes giving them drugs or simply sharing drugs with them that you have obtained.

It is also illegal to cultivate or process drugs, like growing drugs or drying magic mushrooms.

It is illegal for a shopkeeper to sell you cigarettes before you are 16 or alcohol before you are 18.

Who can I talk to?

We know that some young people experiment with taking drugs, smoking and drinking but we still don't agree with it and will discourage you from doing it, because it is not good for you and may put you in danger, and could damage your health and well being. This does not mean that you should be frightened to talk to your carers or another adult about drugs. You can also talk to them about too much drinking or binge drinking.

Your carers and social worker will do all they can to talk to you about the risks of alcohol, smoking and drugs.