Health assessment findings for young males with severe emotional and behaviour difficulties in a residential setting over 24 weeks

Carroll, Denise and Duffy, T. and Martin, C. R. (2017) Health assessment findings for young males with severe emotional and behaviour difficulties in a residential setting over 24 weeks. Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care, 16 (2). ISSN 1478-1840

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Abstract

Seventy-four males aged 13-16 years old cared for by local authorities took part in this study when they were cared for in a Scottish residential centre for young people with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties. This group of vulnerable young people are known to have poor health, educational and social outcomes (Residential Care Health Project, 2004, Scottish Government, 2014). Children and young people in local authority care feature on the agenda of all aspects of public care including health, social care, criminal justice and education. It was found that 44% of the young people's health records were not available at the time of their health assessment despite the fact that young people had on average at least four previous placements prior to being admitted to the Centre. While a range of systems have been put in place to improve the health outcomes of children in care, lack of such key information may compromise the assessment process. Over three observations (at admission, 12 and 24 weeks) the young people had a comprehensive health assessment where some positive differences were found in dental intervention, vision problems, immunisation uptake, reduction in alcohol, substance use and sexual health concerns. Between the first and last assessment there was a decrease in the number of young people who have a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI).

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https://doi.org/10.17868/strath.00084763
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