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

School Nurse WILL accept referrals for:

For Primary School children where there are concerns with the following:

• Behaviour issues at home
• Poor sleep patterns
• Toileting
• Fussy eating
• Emotional wellbeing e.g. low mood, low self-esteem, anxiety and self-harm.

For prolonged or severe self-harm please refer to RISE. If your school has Mental Health in School team (MHST) they can support the delivery of brief, evidence-based interventions for common mental health problems such as anxiety, low mood, sleep and sometimes trauma- Please refer to them if appropriate.

For Secondary School children, as above plus:

• Concerns about sexual health and smoking

If your school has Mental Health in School team (MHST) they can support the delivery of brief, evidence-based interventions for common mental health problems such as anxiety, low mood, sleep and sometimes trauma- Please refer to them if appropriate

School Nurse WILL NOT accept referrals for

• Children already under school counselling, CAMHS service, Compass or MHST
• Concerns about poor school attendance only, e.g. frequent absence for coughs / colds / stomach upsets; these children need to be directed to their GP
• Children who are overweight needing further support- Please refer to Be Active be Healthy
• Children needing referral into CAMHS, this is most appropriate to be completed by school
• Children needing referrals into Neurodevelopment team for ASD / ADHD / ATTACHMENT concerns
• Concerns regarding suspected eating disorders: these children need directing to their GP or CAMHS
• Children requiring continence products- all of which need to attend their GP
• Request for height and weight measurements, these children need to be directed to GP
• Safeguarding concerns as these should be directed to Social Care following Coventry safeguarding procedures
• Health information requests for other health services. This should be requested via the GP or the specialist service

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 01926 495321 extension 7494 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.

School Health & Well-being

The School Health and Wellbeing Service provides health learning and improvement for all school-aged Children & Young People aged 5 – 19 (or 25 where there are special educational needs).

The Warwickshire service is provided by Compass. Please follow link regarding referral information

Please see link for more information on the Rugby School Health and Wellbeing Service