School Age Clinic at Hackney Ark

Service details

What is the School Age clinic?

The role of the school age clinic is to address and review pupil’s health needs, where the health needs are impacting on their progress in their educational setting.

Pupils may have health needs which are unmet or they may have long term health conditions or disabilities which require ongoing monitoring.


Who can be referred to the School Age clinic ? 

Pupils can be referred to the School Age clinic when:

  • There is frequent absence from school due to unclear health reasons
  • When a learning or behaviour problem may have an underlying medical cause
  • Children or young people who may present as clumsy or have dyspraxia
  • Pupils newly arrived from overseas where there are health concerns but limited available information
  • Pupils have complex needs that require multiple professionals or specialist services. 

When is a school medical NOT the best route to information and support? 

The School Age Clinic is not intended as a replacement for the role of primary care professionals such as GPs.


Behavioural problems unrelated to any physical cause should be referred to children's community mental health services such as First Steps or CAMHS Alliance services. Concerns about possible autism or ADHD should be referred to CAHMS services.


Developmental or educational concerns should be discussed with the schools SENCo (special educational needs coordinator) or Educational Psychologist (EP). Schools in Hackney have a named link EP.


Problems associated with long term conditions should be discussed with the school nurse or school doctor. They may need to be seen or referred back to the relevant clinician.

Examples of pupils with long term conditions who would not be seen in the School Medical Service. 

    • A pupil with poorly controlled asthma should be referred back to their GP
    • A pupil with sickle cell disease who has poor attendance due to pain should be referred back to their haematologist or specialist nurse for sickle cell.

    What will happen at my first clinic appointment? 

    The appointment will take around 60 minutes.

    • The Paediatrician will ask about early development, communication, social skills, play and behaviour.
    • The paediatrician will ask about health and family background of any health or developmental problems
    • Your child will be physically examined

    We will then talk about what we think and decide what needs to be done next and whether or not your child needs to be followed up by this service. Referrals to other services within the Ark may happen as a result of the appointment. A report will be written. Sharing information with people helps everyone better understand your child and their needs. 

    We recommend the report is sent to:

    • Your home
    • Your child’s GP
    • Other professionals involved
    • Nursery/school staff

    In the future you may be asked for a copy of the report by other services so please do keep it in a safe place where you will be able to easily find it when needed.


    What if English is not my first language? 

    If you are not confident with your spoken English please tell us before you attend the appointment. This is so we can arrange for an advocate or translator to attend the appointment with you. We may need a few days to do this so please let us know when the appointment is made. 

    SEND Local Offer

    Local Offer Age Bands
    Early Years and Pregnancy 0-4
    Primary 4 -10
    Secondary 11-14
    Preparing for Adulthood 14-18
    SEN Provision Type
    • Targeted
    • Specialist

    Who to contact

    Contact Position
    School Medical Service

    Where to go

    Address
    Hackney Ark
    Down Park Road
    Hackney
    London
    Postcode

    E8 2HY

    View E8 2HY on a map
    Venue Notes

    Buses

    30, 56, 67, 76, 149, 243, 276

    Train

    Dalston Kingsland, Hackney Downs

    Parking

    The car park has 10 car spaces including two spaces for disabled drivers along with motorcycle and bicycle spaces. Parking is restricted to clients and service users only.

    Service users will need to use the entry-phone to alert main reception of their arrival and be permitted to enter the car park.  Anyone using the car park does so at their own risk.

    There are on street parking bays opposite the building.

    Reception can ring for cabs for patients.

    Transport to the service may be available via hospital transport for children & young people and their carers in exceptional cases depending on their mobility needs.

    Other details

    Who is eligible?

    As descibed above. 

    Referral required?

    Yes

    Referral Details

    Professional referrals are required from health or education professionals involved with your child

    Professionals needing to make a referral can use the Multi Agency Referral Service (MARS) referral form available from the download section of the MARS service entry here

    What to do if you have a complaint

    If you have a concern about the service you have received please speak to your therapist or the person who has been working with you so that they can try to address your concerns.  If that does not help you can arrange to contact the service’s management team via admin.


    If you prefer to discuss your concern with someone independent of your care team then you can contact our Patient Liaison and Advice Service (PALS).

    The PALS team can help resolve queries and concerns quickly and if you are not happy with the outcome then they can advise you on our formal complaints process.


    PALS

    Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

    Homerton Row

    London E9 6SR


    e-mail huh-tr.pals.service@nhs.net

    Phone 020 8510 7315 (Out of office hours voicemail service available)

    Textphone 07584 445 400

    Web https://www.homerton.nhs.uk/patient-advice-liaison-service-pals

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