Care leavers - Health and wellbeing

Health service for care leavers Physical health Mental health Sexual health Young parents Smoking, drugs and alcohol Staying safe

Your health documents

When you leave care, we'll give you:

My Care Journey folder - copies of recent health assessments you've had in care, health information provided by your carers and details of your physical and mental health.

Care leavers summary - a summary of the health information we hold about you from birth to present day. If you don't want it, your GP can hold on to it.

Looked after children and care leavers health service

We offer practical help and advice on:

your health and happiness
smoking, drugs and alcohol
sexual health, relationships and contraception advice
diet and healthy eating
dentists or opticians
immunisations – your GP holds records of what immunisations you've had. If you have trouble getting this information, we'll try to help.

If we can’t help directly, we'll find out who can.

Contact our Looked After Children and Care Leavers Health Service

01438 843004

Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm

Physical health

It's important that you register. Your GP will help you access other mental and physical health services.

Find out if you're entitled to a free NHS eye test

Your eyes say a lot about your overall health - get regular eye tests to look after them. Ask your employer if they offer eye test discounts or vouchers.

Find your local dentist

It's a lot easier to get an emergency appointment if you're already registered with a practice.

Healthy eating and exercise on a budget

Tinned or frozen fruit and vegetables can be cheaper and last a lot longer. Take a look at our budgeting advice for more tips.
Up until you're 18, you might be entitled to a gym and leisure allowance.
Some district and borough councils offer free outdoor gyms.
Our Health in Herts pages have more free activities and apps to help you keep active and maintain a healthy weight.

You can get a discount at certain gyms.

Everyone Active leisure centres

Cared for free membership

Free membership is available to cared for children (0-15 years) and care experienced young people (16-25 years) at the Everyone Active leisure centres in:

Dacorum
East Herts
St Albans
Stevenage
Three Rivers
Watford

Hemel Hempstead

Our Gym

1 month Free membership followed by £19.99 a month with no contract.

Map to Our gym

How to sign up: Contact jo.mayes@hertfordshire.gov.uk

The Gym

No joining fee (normal price £20). £13.99 per month (£5 off the normal price).

Map to The gym

How to sign up: Contact jo.mayes@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Mental health

List of mental health services

Local and national services offering advice online, face-to-face and over the phone for all ages.

Sexual health

Our sexual health pages have information for all ages, including local clinics, contraception, LGBTQ and HIV advice.

Services for under 25s:

Services for Young People Access Points

Find your local Access Point for free condoms and confidential advice.

Free home testing kits

For chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis. If you're over 16, you might be eligible.

Brook

Online sexual health advice for under 25s, including sex, relationships and sexuality.

Young parents

If you're pregnant and you're not sure what to do, don't worry in silence. Speak to your GP or social worker. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to them, try:

The Brook Advisory Service

Free confidential advice and counselling on pregnancy, termination and contraception for under 25s.

Family centres

Find your local family centre and see what help you can get.

Smoking, drugs and alcohol

Substance misuse can have a negative effect on your mental and physical health. Whether you're worried about yourself or someone else, help is available.

Drugs and alcohol services Stop Smoking Service

Staying safe

Domestic violence

Domestic violence can happen to both males and females. Find out how to get help.

Herts Sunflower

Online advice and who to call if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse.

Child sexual exploitation

Find out what it is, how to spot the signs and what to do if you've been exploited.

Online safety

Smart phones are such a big part of our lives, it’s important you know what the dangers are and stay alert to signs.

If you have a medical concern that's not an emergency, call 111.
To report a crime that doesn't need an emergency response, call 101.
If there's immediate danger, call 999.