FOREWORD “ School nurses have long played an invaluable role, helping children with both their physical and mental health in a safe and supportive environment.
We are pleased to introduce SAPHNA’s vision for School Nursing in England, providing evidence of the ways in which a properly funded and consistent School Nursing service based on the principles of proportionate universalism within an integrated and collaborative system, can make a significant positive difference to children, young people and families. This document celebrates and demonstrates the skills and talents of School Nursing across the country shaping services around the real needs of children young people and families and provides recommendations for ways in which this vision can be realised. This report has been developed by Elaine Davies and Sallyann Sutton, SAPHNA committee members, in collaboration with expert School Nurses, Association of Directors of Public Health, the Local Government Association and Education colleagues amongst others. Huge thanks to you all for your time, effort and commitment to improving outcomes for our children, young people and their families. Together we WILL make a real difference.
Maggie Clarke. Executive Lead Officer. School and Public Health Nursing Association, (SAPHNA)
“ From early intervention services to dealing with serious youth violence, school nurses have a significant, positive effect on young people’s lives which benefit them both within and beyond the school gates. “ Their pastoral, supportive role is needed now more than ever as our young people recover from the impact of the pandemic and our schools try to build safe environments for pupils to thrive in going forward. “ The Local Government Association welcomes the vision set out in this paper. Councils are committed to tackling health inequalities and ensuring children and young people find the help they need as soon as possible. School nurses are on the frontline of spotting problems such as abuse and mental health support needs in vulnerable young people, as well championing healthy eating and providing immunisation and health protection services. The need for a comprehensive wellbeing support for pupils has never been greater and school nurses are an essential part of this. “ Without more training opportunities to boost an already depleted workforce and the funds to recruit them, schools and councils risk being unable to provide this essential support service to children in their care, negatively impacting upon them and their families’ wellbeing and increasing the risks of crisis later on in life.”
Councillor David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board. With thanks to Dr Katherine Brown PhD C. Psychol FHEA Professor of Behaviour Change in Health Department of Psychology and Sports Science University of Hertfordshire. For her academic review and support for this document.
SCHOOL NURSING: A Service Fit for the Future
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