In the light of recent guidelines from the Department of Health, Catherine Hill, in collaboration with Vanessa Wright, Carolyn Sampeys, Kathy Dunnett, Sue Daniel, Lesley O'Dell and Janet Watkins, discusses the growing contribution that specialist nurses are making in promoting the health of looked after children. To illustrate this trend two projects, in Southampton and Cardiff, are examined, followed by a review of the current professional status of looked after children's nurses in England and Wales. All the evidence presented points to better outcomes and additional quality through nurse-led assessments.
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