Improving health outcomes for looked after children and young people (360G-Wellcome-208520_Z_17_Z)

Previous research suggests that looked after children are less likely to be treated in the way that the statutory guidance on promoting the health and well-being of looked after children recommends, and that they receive worse healthcare in comparison to their non-looked after peers. They also have worse experiences of the health service, and due to complex and time consuming policies and procedures, are treated inefficiently or inappropriately. My POSTnote will seek to summarise the current policy context on promoting the health of looked after children and young people, consider any related issues that may need to be addressed in future policy and explore the latest research and information on how best to promote their health. By promoting their long-term health outcomes, care leavers should be more able to go on to lead successful and happy lives, in which they are able to contribute to society. By undertaking this fellowship I hope to better understand: The process of creating a rigorous POSTnote for parliamentarians How parliamentarians use research to inform policy The process of policy development The role of Select Committees, and The role of All Party Parliamentary Groups