Using specialist GPs to deliver high quality, timely initial health assessments for children in care: A pragmatic response to capacity pressures in community paediatrics

Initial Health Assessments (IHAs) are a statutory requirement for children entering care in England, mandated to be completed within 20 working days. However, widespread pressures across both community paediatrics and children’s social care are making this increasingly difficult to achieve. Complian...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Adoption & fostering Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 498 - 502
Main Authors: Hewer, Chris, Edwards, Pauline, Bennett, Imelda
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.12.2025
British Association for Adoption & Fostering
Subjects:
Child welfare
Children
Childrens health
Clinical governance
Clinical training
Compliance
Evaluation
Family physicians
Governance
Health care management
Health services
In care
Pediatrics
Peer review
Shortages
Social services
Workforce
children in care
integrated care systems
GP-led models
looked after children
community paediatrics
Initial Health Assessments
ISSN:0308-5759, 1740-469X
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Initial Health Assessments (IHAs) are a statutory requirement for children entering care in England, mandated to be completed within 20 working days. However, widespread pressures across both community paediatrics and children’s social care are making this increasingly difficult to achieve. Compliance with statutory timescales is highly variable, with some areas reporting compliance rates lower than 50%. The growing demand for neurodevelopmental assessments, national workforce shortages and rising numbers of children in care have stretched capacity and led to delays. This article presents a centralised, general practitioner (GP)-led IHA model developed in Gloucestershire that addresses these challenges through structured training, clinical supervision, peer review and close collaboration with paediatric teams. GPs with safeguarding and child health experience deliver timely, high-quality assessments supported by dedicated administrative systems and robust clinical governance. The model not only improves statutory compliance and relieves pressure on paediatric services, but also ensures consistent, person-centred care for vulnerable children. With its strong results and adaptability, this model offers a scalable and pragmatic solution to the national IHA delivery crisis.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 14
ISSN:0308-5759
1740-469X
DOI:10.1177/03085759251386461