In Somerset the School Nursing Service delivers the National Child Measurement Programme and the Immunisation Programme (flu, HPV & meningitis). They also run school-based clinics in secondary settings and support safeguarding and ‘Team Around the Child’ (TAC) meetings.
School Nurses are registered nurses with a Specialist Community Public Health nurse qualification. They deliver interventions as part of the Healthy Child Programme for 5-19 year olds. This includes running secondary school health clinics in which they offer advice and information about emotional health and wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, and sexual health and relationships.
School-based clinics provide a weekly drop-in service for young people in secondary schools. The clinic offers a young person the opportunity to seek advice and support from a qualified nurse. Like any medical professional, school nurses provide confidential support to young people in a safe, quiet room within the school site. The clinic runs on one day each week usually at lunchtime.
At the school-based clinic the School Nurse offers free and confidential information and advice on a wide range of topics such as:
• stress at home or school
• body shape or weight
• health eating
• smoking, alcohol or drugs
• sex and relationships
• body change and puberty
• Signposting to other information and services that could help.