Reviewed on : 9 Oct 2020

Reviewed by : Gateway Editor

Expires : 9 Oct 2022

About the School Nursing Service

• Provides a named school nurse in each school in Coventry, to help children and young people (from school entry to 19 years old) to take responsibility for their own health and to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
• Assesses the health needs of the school community, planning and implementing programmes that promote and protect public health.
• Works in partnership with other agencies to address wider threats to, and inequalities, in health.
• Supports the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme 5-19 years old (DH 2009)
• Adheres to the guidance as per Coventry Safeguarding Children’s Board including delivery of the National Child Measurement Programme, Reception and Year 6 Health Assessments and Hearing Screening.

Referral Criteria for Main Stream School Nursing Service

Identified medical conditions where support is needed to be able to access mainstream education, g. Asthma, epilepsy, severe allergies.

For primary school, where there are school or parental concerns which are affecting education, e.g. behaviour issues at home / poor sleep patterns / day time wetting / underweight / overweight / emotional wellbeing.

For secondary school children, as above plus concerns about sexual health, smoking/drugs/alcohol misuse; young people can also be directed to the School Nurse Drop-In service to seek confidential advice and support.

Exclusion Criteria

Concern about poor school attendance only, e.g. frequent absence for coughs / colds / stomach upsets; these children need to be directed to their GP

Already under the care of specialist service or hospital consultant where further health information is required. This should be requested via the GP or the specialist service.

Referral to CAMHS is required for ASD / ADHD / ATTACHMENT concerns. This can be done by school.

School based behaviour concerns need to be addressed by school following own procedures.

Children requiring continence products need to attend their GP.

Safeguarding concerns should be directed to Social Care

Other referral agencies: 

Single Point of Entry: RISE (CAMHS Specialist Service) and emotional wellbeing www.cwrise.com 0300 200 2021             

Positive Choices Tel:02476 553130                        changegrowlive.org/coventryyp

Defuze (Children Living with Domestic Violence) if already open to Social Care  02476 221112

Hearing (Audiology) Single Point Of Entry              03002 000011

Children’s Occupational Therapy                           02476 961455

Sexual Health Service tel 03000 200027                besavvy.org.uk

Triple P (Positive Parenting Programme)                www.coventry.gov.uk  02476 786949   08004 346127  Email Parenting@coventry.gov.uk

Change for life for healthy lifestyle information.      nhs.uk/change4life

Be Active Be Healthy Tel:  07852921406                beactivebehealthy@swft.nhs.uk

Young Carers Tel: 024 76101040                            youngcarers@carerstrusthofe.org.uk

Speech and Language Therapy                             024 7696 1453

Other Health focused websites

Coventry School Nurses have launched two websites, aimed at children and teenagers:

www.healthforkids.co.uk offers a fun way for children to learn about health with games, activities and quizzes.

www.healthforteens.co.uk hosts videos and webchats as well as articles to educate teenagers on a range of health topics such as contraception, mental health, drugs and alcohol.

Chat Health texting service

Chat health is a free service that enables 11-18 year olds across Coventry to send confidential SMS text messages to School Nurses who will provide impartial advice and support. The number to text is 07507 331949.

Parent Texting Advice Line

Parent Line can be reached by texting 07507329114  between 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday for parents to contact a school nurse to discuss any child health concerns they may have.

Parents can also contact the office by telephone on 02475 189190 between 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday

Preparing for your appointment

An appointment with your school nurse or a member of the team could take place at the child’s school, at home or at a community centre.

Contact and location:

Moat House School Nurses

Charter Avenue School Nurses