School Nursing - Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

School Nurses are registered nurses who specialise in promoting the health and wellbeing of school age children in accordance with the Healthy Child Programme.  

They are not based within school but work closely with schools and other professionals to ensure every child’s individual health needs are addressed early, and every child is able to achieve their full potential.

 

We work closely with the Health Visiting Team 


Every school has a Named School Nurse who works together with the wider team to deliver the Healthy Child Programme to children in the borough of Sefton.

The team consists of Specialist Community Public Health School Nurses, Community Staff Nurses, Nurse Associates, Clinical and Administrative Support Workers.

Confidentiality

All members of the School Health Team have a duty to protect your privacy and confidentiality. We would only share information with your consent. Information without consent could only be shared in situations where we have a concern that there was a risk of harm to your child or a member of your family.

As a team we offer:

  • Advice, information, and support on all aspects of health and well-being encompassing both physical and emotional health.
  • School based drop-in for pupils in secondary school.
  • Half termly drop-in for parents of primary age children (virtual or in school)
  • A health needs assessment in the form of an online questionnaire which is completed by parents of Reception aged children and pupils in years 6, 9 (Letters will be sent to parents during the school year to inform them of when these will be completed).
  • Students in Y11 onwards receive health information via a dedicated website( developed by Sefton School Health with Sefton Young Advisors) and a health and wellbeing session.
  • Health screening for all Reception aged children which includes height, weight, vision and hearing.
  • The National Childhood Measurement Programme (height and weight measurement) is offered to all pupils in Reception and Year 6.
  • Support for young carers.
  • We work with partner agencies to safeguard vulnerable children and young people.
  • We work with families, children and young people and can offer health assessment, targeted interventions, and further referrals according to needs identified.
  • We work with partner agencies to identify need and offer early support
  • Th Enhanced Service is delivered by our School Nurses with an emphasis on early intervention. We work with children and young people who are referred to one of Sefton’s pupil referral units.
  • We also offer our service to children and young people who live in Sefton who are receiving elective home education, the gypsy and traveller population and young people aged 16-19 years who are not in education, employment, or training.

To find out which team covers which school

How do I refer if I am a Health Professional?

The school Health referral form is available on our website, once completed this can be emailed to 

mcn-tr.seftonschoolhealth@nhs.net.

How can my child be referred to the School Nurse?

Once your child reaches school age, your child’s records are automatically transferred to Sefton School Health Service from the Health Visitor.

Your child can also be referred to the School Health Service by:

  • School staff
  • Self-referral by telephoning School Health Duty on 0151 247 6354 or emailing mcn-tr.seftonschoolhealth@nhs.net
  • GP
  • Community paediatrician
  • Health visitor
  • Other professionals

How do I contact my School Nursing Team if I am a Young Person or a Parent/Carer?

You can contact Sefton’s School Health team on 0151 247 6354.

What if it is Urgent?

If you need urgent help, you should visit an NHS walk-in centre or call NHS 111. In an emergency, dial 999 or go to A&E.

If your child attends a special school, they may employ their own school nurse and, in this case, they can be contacted via school.

How can the School Health Team support my child?

  • We offer a core programme of contacts as outlined above.
  • Health promotion.
  • Support for teachers with PSHE lessons.
  • ‘Drop in’ sessions and one-to-one appointments for pupils or parents.
  • Signposting and referral to other agencies and services.
  • Sexual Health support

Support with emotional health and wellbeing

Chat health a school nurse text messaging service for 11 to 19 year olds in Sefton

Sefton residents aged 11 to 19 can send a message, anonymously if they wish, to their school nurse to get confidential help and advice about a range of health concerns, including emotional health, sexual health, relationships, alcohol, drugs and bullying.

The new service is available Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) from 9am to 4.30pm. Each message sent to the dedicated number, 07312 263 291, will receive an automated reply and a School Nurse will reply within 24 working hours.

Further information about the service, visit ChatHealth's website or visit our page.

Compliments/Complaints Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

If you have compliment or complaint about your School Health Team, please contact us via the links below.

Patients or carers who need help or advice can contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) using the form on this page or by calling 0151 471 2377, 

E-mail: palsandcomplaints@merseycare.nhs.uk

Visit the compliments, complaints and advice page for more information.

Complaints Leaflet in Easy Read.


Last Updated

Last updated: 19/02/2024

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