Parents and Carers
The School Nursing Service delivers the Healthy Child Programme (5-19) for children and young people who are in full time education up until the age of nineteen years old or to the age of 25 years if they have additional health needs or special educational needs
The service has registered nurses who have worked in the hospital before specialising in children’s health and well-being. They hold a graduate-level public health qualification in the health needs of children and young people. The service is made up of teams who are supported by community staff nurses, nursery nurses, clinical support workers and administrative staff.
Did you know that we can support children and young people using a range of options?
School nurses can support individual children and young people through offering advice and signposting for a range of health issues including emotional health and behaviour, growing up, puberty & sexual health, smoking & alcohol, medical needs, healthy eating and lifestyles.
The School Nurse works both in schools and in the community. The school nurse can offer you and your child an appointment to meet with a school nurse in a health centre, school or community venue including local Children’s Centres. At these appointments your child health needs can be reviewed and further advice and support offered.
Parents and carers can contact a School Nurse using our Parent ChatHealth service on 07520 634909. A qualified nurse will respond to text messages and provide information on a wider range of health and wellbeing issues.
Young people, usually in secondary school might wish to contact the School Nurse independently to ask questions about health and wellbeing. They can text a School Nurse using the ChatHealth service on 07480 635 363. This a safe and confidential service designed by young people for young people.
Parents often want to access health information using the internet and to be assured that the information provided is from a safe source and is the right advice. The School Nursing service has 2 websites which provide up to date and safe advice. The websites were designed by children and young people. Each website has a section which has lots of information about your local School Nurse service
- The HealthforKids website is for primary aged children and helps them find out information about their health by using a games and activities. This site has a section for parents and carers
- The HealthforTeens website is for young people aged 11 years or old and has information about a wide of range of health issues which helps young people to start to think about how they can keep themselves healthy.
Do you know how the School Nurse works with your child’s school?
Every school in has a named school nurse who is a link between the school and the School Nursing Service. Each school should display a poster in the reception area which provides contact information about the service. The named school nurse keeps the school staff up to date on what the service offers to children and young people, offers support for a range of health issues including delivering health education in schools such as sex and relationships and emotional health and well-being. The service provides training for teachers on medical needs and supports the development of health plans so that children have health problems are well supported in school.
For parents and carers of children who are about to start full time school the service sends out a Welcome Letter in the school packs for new parents. This letter tells parents and carers about the School Nursing service
Who else do we work with?
The service works in partnership with children, young people and their families to ensure that children’s health needs are supported within their school and community. To make sure your child receives the appropriate support for their health needs the service works closely with other health professionals including Health Visitors, GPs and Community Paediatricians alongside professionals from other organisations including social care and education. The service delivers group sessions to teach children and young people skills to improve their confidence and self-esteem. The service also supports the local Parenting Strategy by delivering parenting programmes.