Checking your health between 16 and 18

Information for young people aged 16 to 18 about health checks, support and how to look after your health as you prepare for adulthood

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Our duty

We want you to be as healthy as you can be and it’s our duty to help this happen.

If you are preparing to leave care and are between 16 and 18, the Children Looked After health team provide health reviews and support for all children and young people who are placed in our care.

Before you leave care, our aim is to help you with your physical and emotional health, and help you make healthy lifestyle choices.

We will talk to you about your physical, emotional and mental health and we’ll make a health care plan for you.

We will also refer you to other health professionals if you need it.

You will be given a ‘Blue Health record’ which tells you all about your medical history. Each year until you turn 18,  we will do a new health care plan with you. We can do these with you at a venue of your choice.

Health care and SEND support after 18

After you turn 18, your GP (doctor) will continue to be the main person looking after your health care.

If you are 18 or over and you have, or think you might have, special educational needs and a disability (SEND), we can help you.

We can support you to apply for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). An EHCP can help you get the right support, especially if:

  • you want to stay in education
  • you are thinking about your pathway to employment

Find out more

You can find more information on our Pathways to Employment (P2E) page.

Last reviewed: March 19, 2026 by Jennifer

Next review due: September 19, 2026

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