The National Healthy Care Standard

The National Healthy Care Standard helps looked after children and young people achieve the five outcomes described in Every Child Matters:

• be healthy
• stay safe
• enjoy and achieve
• make a positive contribution
• achieve economic well-being

Children and young people in a healthy care environment will:

• experience a genuinely caring, consistent, stable and secure relationship with at least one committed, trained, experienced and supported carer
• live in an environment that promotes health and well-being within the wider community
• have opportunities to develop the personal and social skills to care for their health and well-being now and in the future
• receive effective healthcare, assessment, treatment and support.

A child or young person living in a healthy care environment is entitled to:

• feel safe, protected and valued in a strong, sustained and committed relationship with at least one carer
• live in a caring, healthy and learning environment
• feel respected and supported in his/her cultural beliefs and personal identity
• have access to effective healthcare, assessment, treatment and support
  and have opportunities to develop personal and social skills, talents and abilities and to spend time in freely chosen  play, cultural and leisure activities
• be prepared for leaving care by being supported to care and provide for him/herself in the future

The National Healthy Care Standard is available as a download
Healthy Care Standard: Entitlements and Outcomes [PDF 220KB]