Looked after children need better access to nursing care

A full-time nurse should be in post for every 100 looked after children, an updated joint policy by the RCN and two medical royal colleges recommends.

Job descriptions of specialist and named nurses have also been added in the update, which is co-authored by the RCN, Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.  

A nurse in a specialist post should generally be in pay band 7 and have previously completed a post-registration training course relevant to looked after children – including elements of law, policy and practice at Level 2 or a post-graduate diploma.

A named nurse should usually be in band 8 and have had this same training, as well as being registered as a children’s nurse or specialist community public health nurse, the policy states.

RCN professional lead for children and young people’s nursing Fiona Smith said: ‘The framework is a welcome step towards helping all healthcare professionals in this field to deliver their role effectively and provide the standards of care these children need and deserve. Our recommendations lay the groundwork for much-needed improvements and raise awareness of the importance of health care for looked after children.’