Our school nursing teams help young people through childhood as they transition into adulthood by monitoring their health and promoting informed health choices throughout their school years.
School nurses work with young people and their families from when they start school at 4 up until 19 years, working with them through key transition points like starting secondary school. They provide a link between school, home and the community working across education and health. Their aim is to help young people to improve their health and wellbeing through health promotion, advice and guidance.
School nurses are usually linked to a school or group of schools they are not based in the school. The School Nurse works in partnership with their linked schools and other professionals to ensure young people’s health needs are met. This may include signposting or referring to other services.
Your school might also have a welfare officer/first aider who is in school every day to help if you are injured or unwell. Their role is very important but is different to that of the school nurse.
Health Questionnaires
To best support your child in school you will be asked to complete a Health Questionnaire by the school nursing service. This is separate to the questionnaires the school may have asked you to complete. This will help us identify if your child has any health needs, what support we can offer or to sign post you to other services who can provide support. If you have not received a questionnaire by the end of the first half term after your child started year 7 or a new school please contact the school reception or your school nursing service.
Drop in’s
All secondary schools have a drop in session. You can go along and see the school nurse who can offer advice and support on any aspect of your health and emotional wellbeing that you have worries about. If we cannot help we will usually find someone who can. Some drops ins are by appointment other’s you can just turn up, find out more from your school nurse or class teacher.
Long term health needs
Our school nurses are experienced in supporting young people with health conditions so that they can make the most out of their education. We’ve identified the most common conditions below and explained how the school nurse can help, along with advice and guidance for how you can work most effectively with your school.
Each school has a named school nurse who you can speak to if you have any worries.