An Initial Health Assessment (IHA) is a statutory health offer for every child or young person entering care in the UK. It covers physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, ensuring access to the right support and services. Until now, there were no formal standards for IHAs. Practice is based on regulations and guidance. In England statutory guidance (DfE, 2015), outlines that:
- IHAs must be completed within 20 working days of entering care.
- Review Health Assessments (RHAs) follow every 6 months for children under 5, and annually for those aged 5–18.
The standards have been informed by insight from paediatricians, GPs, social workers, researchers, nurses and children and young people. Approximately 40 professionals took part in a series of writing groups to develop the standards.
The new IHA Delivery Standards (2025), by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), aim to improve children and young people’s experience of IHAs, their outcomes and their health and wellbeing. This will contribute to a reduction in the longer-term health disparities experienced by children and young people in care compared to their peers.
Initial Health Assessment Delivery Standards
The Initial Health Assessment (IHA) Delivery Standards, published by the RCPCH, aim to improve children and young people’s experience of IHAs, their outcomes and their health and wellbeing. This will contribute to a reduction in the longer-term health disparities experienced by children and young people in care compared to their peers.
Read moreImproving the experience of the Initial Health Assessment from the perspective of children and young people: A literature review
The aim of the literature review was to identify any published research, reports or other material that could provide insight into children and young people’s experience of attending an Initial Health Assessment (IHA) and to present the key messages from the available literature.
Download hereEpisode 46 | RCPCH’s new Initial Health Assessment Standards
Ellie Johnson is joined by Dr. Lynn Snow and Dr. Vicki Walker to explore the newly launched Initial Health Assessment (IHA) Standards from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). These Standards are designed to enhance the experience of children and young people undergoing IHAs, improve health outcomes, and support overall wellbeing. By setting a higher benchmark for care, they aim to reduce long-term health disparities faced by children and young people in care compared to their peers.