School nurses
School nurses are well placed to deliver many of the outcomes for children in the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme, the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services and the public health white paper Choosing Health.
Their public health role supports the public service agreement targets relating to child health and wellbeing including obesity, sexual health, reduction of teenage pregnancy, emotional health and wellbeing, healthy eating, smoking, drugs and alcohol. They will also play a key role in initiatives such as extended schools and healthy schools.
School nursing has changed in recent years with the development of the modern role. Today school nurses can bring valuable expertise to schools, providing confidential health advice for children and young people, reviewing the health of the school population and working with schools to create an environment that promotes healthy living. For this reason the government is encouraging primary care trusts, schools and children's trusts to increase the number of school nurses.
Resources
Looking for a school
nurse?
Guidance for headteachers, setting out the advantages of school
nurses.
School nurse: Practice development resource pack
A set of resources for school nurses, which will help to expand their
knowledge, skills and competencies.
Chief Nursing Officer's programme for school
nursing
Examples of school nursing practice across several schools, working in
different circumstances
This page was last updated on 06 December 2007
