Health

Many people struggle in silence when they have health concerns. But it’s important for you and the child you care for that you get the right medical advice as soon as possible. We can help you explore your health questions and make sure you find the right support for your family’s physical and mental health.

Noelle explains how the team are here to support the mental and physical health of you and the child you care for.

How we can help

  • Listen to your concerns

    Sharing with our experienced team can help ease any stress or anxiety you are carrying. Our team will make sure you feel heard and help you decide what to do next.

  • Find specialist support

    We can suggest specific services, treatments and information that may help your situation. Our team can help find support and answer any questions you have.

  • Offer advice and ideas

    We can give you practical steps that you can take yourself. We can also offer fresh perspectives drawn from experience and training in a range of health issues.

  • Support through changes

    Any type of health change can be challenging. We can offer or help you and your family find practical and emotional support.

  • Explain how things work

    Health issues can come with jargon and off-putting processes. We help you make sense of it all and build your confidence, so you can take informed decisions.

  • Review your health needs

    We can look at your situation in more detail through what’s called an ‘assessment of need’. It can lead to more structured plan to support you and the child you care for.

Contact our advice line

Three things to know

1. You can contact us about your health concerns any time

We can not diagnose or treat you, but we are here to talk and help you decide what steps to take next. Answering health-related questions is a big part of our role and we can point you to the support you need. No subject is off limits and we can help you plan for the future.

2. Sharing a change in health is positive and not risky

Many guardians get nervous about sharing changes to either their own or someone in their network’s health, as they worry it may affect the guardianship. But being open shows trust, responsibility and allows us to find ways to best support you and the child you care for. A guardianship provides permanent stability for the child, so any health issues would not lead to a sudden change in legal status.

3. You don’t need to understand anything before you contact us

Healthcare can be complex, full of jargon and emotional. It can feel overwhelming or embarrassing when you are unsure about something, but don’t let that put you off contacting our team. It’s our job to help you understand what is happening and make sure that you have all the information you need.

 
“Health concerns are never far from our minds. Our granddaughter worries about us dying and to be totally honest, so do we at times. In turn, we worry about her and if we’re doing things right. She needs more care than our other kids did and there’s always so much to learn and do as she gets older.”
— Joyce, Guardian