When your child starts school, we offer a comprehensive health assessment. We can support with any health concerns you may have for your child. This includes:
- weight management
- medical conditions
- day and night time wetting
As well as support to access health services, such as:
- dental
- vision
- hearing care
- emotional / mental health
We may also work with other practitioners to make sure your child’s health and wellbeing remains a priority. Your child can have access to their School Nurse throughout their primary school years.
School Nurses can see your child in school or in a clinic. We also offer telephone or virtual contact for health assessments. This includes asking questions about your child’s health, wellbeing and development. School Nurses can then help by developing care plans with you and your child or referring on to other services.
You will also be asked if you would like your child to take part in health screening whilst at school. This includes vision and hearing screening, as well as the National Child Measurement Programme. You should receive a leaflet from your child's school that explains the process.
Some health interventions School Nurses may help with along with some useful websites:
Healthy weight / weight management
Your child may be experiencing some difficulties with their emotional health and wellbeing.
School Nurses can assess your child. They can offer supportive interventions to increase resilience and wellbeing. We may also refer you to other agencies who may be best placed to support your child.
Some issues your child may be experiencing include:
- anxiety
- low mood
- school refusal
- friendship problems or
- issues around development
Some children may also have more profound emotional health issues such as:
- eating disorders or
- obsessive traits
Your school's nurse can help identify this need and refer on to the most appropriate service.
A good night's sleep is essential to mental and physical wellbeing. Please see the resources below for information about sleep routines and sleep hygiene. Including diet and exercise.
Some health interventions School Nurses may help with along with some useful websites:
Immunisations
Please see a full list of your child’s immunisation schedule. If your child is at school there will be a team that visit the school to complete their required schedule. See below link for information on the school immunisation team and supportive information.
Dental care
From brushing their first tooth to their first trip to the dentist. Here's how to take care of your children's teeth. Your School Nurse may be able to help you access NHS dental services.
For emergency dental care please call 0333 405 0290 or visit West Country Dental
School Nurses support children and young people with a range of issues related to continence, including:
- night-time wetting
- daytime wetting
- constipation and
- soiling
You can speak to someone from our Health Visitor and School Nurse advice line for first line support and advice. Alternatively, you can refer your child to the Early Help Hub. A school nurse will arrange to see your child in one of our clinics.
If your child’s wetting / soiling issues are related to a medical issue your school nurse can also support you to access products. Or help your child to achieve dryness.
Medical conditions
School Nurses will work in partnership to contribute to statutory assessments of special educational needs. They will signpost or coordinate programmes of care and support. These will address needs to maintain school provision.
If you are concerned about your child’s development, then you can access advice via the Health Visiting and School Nurse advice line. They can also signpost you to the most appropriate services.
Home educated children
Children who are home educated can access the above services. Including the comprehensive health offer at the key transition points. Or when a parent has any concerns about their health.
We will work with schools, where parents are considering home education. We will offer a health review to make sure any unmet health needs are not impacting on this decision.
