Child health

Transcript

Hello and welcome to the Child health page, where you will find all you need to develop your knowledge and skills to provide effective care to children and young people.

“Children are not small adults” – this is a rule any pharmacy professional should apply while caring for children and young people. Therefore you will need to understand the differences between children and adults and the challenges you are likely to face.

To help you gain this knowledge you can find resources to help you learn about the challenges encountered in terms of licensed medicines, and off-label use of medicines often prescribed for children.

You will compare the differences in pharmacology between children and adults, and how children develop, then link this to your own practice. You will also consider the different approaches needed when consulting with children and young people, especially when parents and guardians are present too.

The learning is presented in different ways to meet your individual learning styles, from bite-sized learning, to a longer e-course with the support of an online tutor. We also include links to other references to support you in your continuing professional development.

This e-course will help you develop the knowledge and skills to take a person-centred approach to supporting children and their families/carers with their health, optimising any pharmaceutical care and improving health outcomes for children and young people.

To facilitate your learning, we have structured the course into seven units. Some units are larger than others, but we estimate that you will need to commit an average of three hours of learning for each unit.

• Unit 1 - Child develpment
• Unit 2 - Medicines for children
• Unit 3 - Consultations with children
• Unit 4 - Mental health and wellbeing
• Unit 5 - Common ailments
• Unit 6 - Skin rashes and common infections
• Unit 7 - Long-term conditions

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme you should be able to:

• explain how medicines use, medicines adherence and communication may differ between children and adults
• describe how common ailments and long-term conditions present differently in adults and children, and how they differ in their pharmacological and non-pharmacological management
• understand the role of the pharmacy team in the practical aspects of pharmaceutical care to improve medicines use and reduce the risk of errors
• be aware of your professional responsibilities in safeguarding children, understanding the appropriate action to take and support available if you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child.

Involving children in the discussion about their care can improve outcomes and promote ownership of health. This e-learning programme focuses on the key skills and behaviours you can adopt to make sure you communicate effectively with children and young people and manage the triadic consultation effectively.

Learning Outcomes:

• describe the benefits of involving children and young people in the consultation
• recognise and address the challenges of the triadic consultation
• describe the skills and techniques needed to engage children and young people successfully in the consultation
• apply the skills, knowledge and behaviours to demonstrate a patient-centred approach when consulting with children and young people
• complete a self-reflection checklist to support you in developing your practice.

The Safeguarding Children Level 1 e-learning programme and assessment covers the statutory and mandatory training to meet the learning outcomes in the UK Core Skills Training Framework.

To meet Level 1 safeguarding requirements, you should also complete the Safeguarding Adults Level 1 e-learning and assessment.

If you are required to meet Level 2 safeguarding training and competency, in addition to this Safeguarding Children Level 1 programme, you should also complete the following e-learning and assessments:

• Safeguarding Children Level 2
• Safeguarding Adults Level 1
• Safeguarding Adults Level 2

Please note: The Safeguarding children Level 1 e-learning and assessment programme provided by NHS England’s elearning for healthcare (elfh) hub is accessed by clicking on the Access button above. When you reach the elfh webpage, you will need to create an elfh account if you have not already done so. Please be aware that CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme you should be able to:

• describe the different forms of child maltreatment (physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect)
• describe how common child maltreatment is and the impact it can have on a child or young person
• indicate what you should do if you do have concerns about child maltreatment; including local policies and procedures, who to contact and where to obtain further advice and support
• identify the importance of sharing information and the consequences of failing to do so
• identify what to do if you feel that your concerns are not being taken seriously or you experience any other barriers when referring a child/family
• describe the risks associated with the internet and online social networking
• identify what the term 'looked-after child' means
• recognise possible signs of child maltreatment that you might come across in your work
• identify how to seek appropriate advice, report concerns and feel confident that you have been listened to
• indicate a willingness to listen to children and young people and to act on their issues and concerns
• show an awareness of the impact of female genital mutilation (FGM), domestic violence and a carer's mental/physical health on a child
• show an awareness that vulnerable children and young people may be susceptible to radicalisation (PREVENT programme).

The Safeguarding Children Level 2 e-learning programme and assessment covers the statutory and mandatory training to meet the learning outcomes in the UK Core Skills Training Framework.

To meet Level 2 safeguarding training and competency, in addition to this Safeguarding Children Level 2 programme, you should also complete the following e-learning and assessments:

• Safeguarding Children Level 1
• Safeguarding Adults Level 1
• Safeguarding Adults Level 2

Please note: The Safeguarding Children Level 2 e-learning and assessment programme provided by NHS England’s elearning for healthcare (elfh) hub is accessed by clicking on the Access button above. When you reach the elfh webpage, you will need to create an elfh account if you have not already done so. Please be aware that CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme you should be able to:

• describe what constitutes child maltreatment and be able to identify any signs of child abuse or neglect
• be able to act as an effective advocate for a child or young person
• describe the potential impact of the physical and mental health of a parent/carer on the well-being of a child or young person in order to be able to identify a child or young person at risk
• be able to identify the professional role, responsibilities and professional boundaries and those of colleagues in a multi-disciplinary team and in a multi-agency setting
• explain how and when to refer to social care if safeguarding/child protection is identified as a concern
• be able to document safeguarding/child protection concerns in a format that informs the relevant staff and agencies appropriately
• explain how to maintain appropriate records including being able to differentiate between fact and opinion
• be able to identify the appropriate and relevant information and how to share it with other teams
• list key statutory and non-statutory guidance and legislation including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Human Rights Act
• describe the risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) in certain communities, be willing to ask about FGM in the course of taking a routine history, know whom to contact if a child makes a disclosure of impending or completed mutilation, be aware of the signs and symptoms and be able to refer appropriately for further care and support
• list the risk factors for radicalisation and know whom to contact regarding preventive action and support for those vulnerable young persons who may be at risk of, or are being drawn into, terrorist-related activity
• be able to identify and refer a child suspected of being a victim of trafficking and/or sexual exploitation.

Access this recorded presentation to learn more about children’s oral health and what you can do to help improve it. Click here for a script to accompany the video.

Learning Outcomes:

• outline what is meant by oral health, the process of tooth decay and how this can be prevented
• describe the state of children’s oral health in England
• explain what is being done to address this issue currently
• use this information to plan how you can help to improve the situation.

This case study relates to a child. It will help you to apply your knowledge on sepsis, including how to identify and manage sepsis safely in children.

This case study forms part of the Sepsis learning gateway. Here, you will find a range of learning resources which aim to increase your knowledge, skills and confidence in recognising and managing sepsis.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme, you should be able to:

• recognise the signs and symptoms of sepsis in a child
• list the questions you could ask a parent or carer to determine the risk of sepsis
• apply the NICE Criteria for stratification of risk from sepsis in under 5s to establish a child’s risk from sepsis
• determine the most appropriate course of action to take based on a child’s risk of sepsis and your own clinical judgment.

Supported by NHS England and the Department of Health, this short video presents a series of scenarios involving a young person potentially at risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and uses the voice of a real-life victim who talks about her experiences at the hands of a CSE gang.

The video provides practical advice on what to do if you suspect a patient or person in your care is at risk and makes it clear that there is a responsibility to report any activity that you think is suspicious.

Learning Outcomes:

After watching this video you should be able to:

• describe what CSE is, who is at risk and the impact it can have on young people's lives
• recognise the indicators of CSE in various healthcare settings
• understand your professional responsibility to take action to protect and support any young person you suspect may be at risk of CSE.

The aim of this programme is to support you to apply underpinning safeguarding knowledge and develop the confidence and skills to identify and report safeguarding concerns you encounter in practice. It will enable you to consider how you can take a person-centred approach to safeguarding and understand how you can meet your safeguarding responsibilities in whichever sector(s) of practice you work.

Please note: completion of this programme is not sufficient on its own to meet the core Level 2 safeguarding training requirements. Pharmacy professionals must also complete the elearning for healthcare (elfh) Level 1 & 2 learning and assessments (or equivalent). You can access the elfh safeguarding programmes here:

Safeguarding adults Level 1

Safeguarding adults Level 2

Safeguarding children Level 1

Safeguarding children Level 2

Learning Outcomes:

• explain your role and responsibilities in safeguarding adults, children and young people
• recognise potential signs of neglect and abuse that you may encounter in pharmacy practice across integrated care systems
• use your knowledge of guidance and legislation to identify safeguarding concerns where a person lacks the mental capacity to consent and make decisions for themselves
• take appropriate action when you identify a safeguarding concern, including seeking advice, reporting, appropriately sharing information and recording your concerns
• apply your learning to take a person-centred approach to safeguarding concerns
• build a toolkit of resources to support you and your pharmacy team when dealing with safeguarding concerns.

This e-assessment is linked with the CPPE Fundamentals of child health e-course and assesses you on the learning outcomes within that programme.

Why should I do this assessment?

This e-assessment completes the learning you began with the CPPE Fundamentals of child health e-course. Access and successful completion will contribute to your own personal development plan, be recorded in your My CPPE record and will enable you to complete a CPD entry on the learning. It may also provide evidence for achieving competencies in the RPS Foundation or Advanced Pharmacy Frameworks. If you are working towards completing a Declaration of Competence for a pharmacy service, successful completion of this assessment will provide evidence of your learning. 

This e-assessment is linked with the CPPE Children's oral health programme and assesses you on the learning outcomes within that programme.

Why should I do this assessment?

Neonatal & Paediatric Pharmacists Group webpage.

Practical and reliable advice about giving medicine to your child.

Place2Be is a children’s mental health charity that provide free resources to take part in Children’s Mental Health Week.

MindEd is a free educational resource on children, young people, adults and older people’s mental health.

A report published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health which provides a snapshot of infant, children and young people’s physical and mental health, bringing together available data across the UK.

Resources to help those looking after a child or young person’s mental health.