Health and wellbeing
Looking after yourself is essential. We want to give you all the support you need. We want you to be as physically, mentally and emotionally healthy as possible.
Accessing services
Your leaving care worker can help you with:
- the leaving care service in Lincolnshire has a dedicated wellbeing and mental health worker in the team. Contact your leaving care worker if you want more details.
- if you have additional needs sometimes we can help you access support through adult social care
- healthy living advice, such as quitting smoking, support for reducing drug and alcohol use and healthy eating
- information about free prescriptions
- registering with a local GP, dentist and optician
- your move from CAMHS to adult mental health services
- transport costs when attending health appointments
- your understanding of health information from your childhood (for example, your immunisations)
- your current health needs are detailed in a document called your ‘health summary’. For all children in care aged 14-18, each health assessment must show your plans for moving into adulthood
- your health summary will be provided to you at 18 by the health teams. We recommend you share this with your leaving care worker so they can keep a copy safe for you
- if you are struggling to cover medical costs such as dentistry or eye tests, speak to your leaving care worker. We want your health to be the best it can be so we may be able to assist with meeting the cost of examinations or treatment
- Voicability for advocacy - support in making sure you are heard
As a partner of Lincolnshire County Council, all seven district councils would like to offer free access to health and leisure facilities for care leavers from 16 years old. Speak to your leaving care worker to apply and secure your free pass
Mental health
- To find support for children, young people and their families experiencing mental health difficulties, visit the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) website
- For free, safe and anonymous online support, visit the Kooth website
- Night Light Cafés are safe spaces that offer an out-of-hours, non-clinical support service and are staffed by teams of trained volunteers who are available to listen. They can also provide signposting advice and information on other organisations that may be able to help with specific needs, such as debt advice or emergency food parcels.
- How Are You (H.A.Y.) Lincolnshire is a family of websites that bring together everything in the local community that boosts wellbeing, H.A.Y. is all about helping you look after you. The websites provide not just listings of local activities, groups and services but also video introductions to group organisers and taster clips of what to expect. H.A.Y. aims to support you both finding out what you might like to get involved in and in taking those first steps.
- Shine Lincolnshire to support people with poor mental health
- Every Mind Matters ways to lift your mood and anxiety, looks at the little things you can do to boost your mood
- Steps 2 change - Lincolnshire talking therapies
- if you want to speak to your leaving care worker about your health, or how your mental health is affecting you, make sure you contact us as we are here to assist and to listen to you
NHS advice
- For information about everything from the common cold to symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, visit the NHS website
- Get advice to help you make the best choices about your general health and wellbeing
- you are entitled to free prescriptions up to the age of 25. Visit this site for more details and to apply directly or speak to your leaving care worker who will support you applying and getting access to the scheme
- For advice about sexual health and contraception, visit the Lincolnshire Sexual Health website
Dentists
We know that it can be difficult to register with an NHS dentist and access dental services post 18, your leaving care worker can support you with this and if you’re struggling with costs may be able to access funds. Your leaving care worker may be also be able to access dental services in Lincolnshire through the Community Dental Services on your behalf. The special care dental service in Lincolnshire provides a service for those whose oral care needs cannot be met through other NHS primary dental services.
The Local Offer
To find services and events for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities and their families, visit our Local Offer.
Drug and alcohol
Get free, confidential support with alcohol, drugs, or mental health from Horizon.
Sexual health
Your sexual health matters, and there's free, confidential support available right here in Lincolnshire that's specifically for young people like you.
The Lincolnshire Integrated Sexual Health Service (LiSH) offers everything from STI testing and treatment to contraception advice and support around relationships – all without judgement. You can visit any of their clinics across the county, including Lincoln, Boston, Grantham, and Skegness.
For quick and easy STI testing, you can order a free home testing kit online through their website If you're worried or have questions, you can speak with a sexual health nurse by calling 01522 309309 or get free emergency contraception from many local pharmacies.
You can also speak to staff members within the Lincolnshire leaving care service who are specially trained to provide C-cards (which give you access to free condoms) and can teach you how to use different types of contraception correctly.
The best place to start is by having a chat with your leaving care worker, or you can call the urgent support line on 01522 575955 for more information and guidance.
You can also pop into your GP or visit the Brook website for reliable advice.
Remember, whatever your concern, these services are completely confidential, even if you're under 18, and the staff are trained to support young people specifically.
Your health history
Looking after your health is really important, and we want to make sure you have all the information and support you need. That includes knowing about your past and current health, how to access services, and where to go if you need help.
Accessing your health records – how to use the NHS app
The NHS app is a really useful way to keep track of your health. Through the app, you can
- see your medical records
- book and manage GP appointments
- order repeat prescriptions
- view your vaccination history
- get health advice and support
To use the NHS app, follow these steps
- download it from the app store - Apple or Google play store -android
- create an account using your email address
- prove your identity by uploading a photo of your ID - passport or driving licence and recording a short video of yourself
- once verified, log in to access your health records
If you’re struggling to set it up, let us know – we can help
Annual health reviews – for under-18
If you were under 18 and in the care of the local authority, you were entitled to an annual health review. These reviews helped check your overall wellbeing and provided support with things like physical health, mental health, sleep, diet, and exercise.
We keep records of these health reviews, you can request access to this information at any time, just ask your personal advisor who will go through these with you and give you a copy to keep.
Understanding your health history
We can help you access information about any past or current health issues that might be important. This includes
- explaining your medical records
- helping you find information about any conditions you’ve had
- making sure you know what medication you’ve been on
If you need any of this information, just ask us—we’re here to help.
Your pathway plan and health
Your pathway plan (PWP) includes everything about your future, and that includes your health. We’ll talk with you about your current health, any past health issues that might still be important, and what support you might need.
Where to get help
If you ever feel unwell, need advice, or have any worries about your health, here’s where you can go
your GP - if you’re registered with a GP, they can help with both physical and mental health concerns. You can book an appointment through the NHS app or by calling your GP surgery
NHS 111 – if you're unsure what to do, call 111 or visit their website for advice
pharmacies – for minor health issues, your local pharmacy can offer advice and medication without needing to see a doctor
emergency help – if you ever have a serious medical emergency, call 999 or go to accident and emergency
If you need any help with your health, your records, or finding the right service, contact your leaving care worker