Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Children & Young People

Overview

The health and wellbeing of all our Children and Young People from birth to 19 years is important.  Although school is only one source of influence on Children and Young People, it is an important one.  Success in education has been shown to improve work and life opportunities resulting in better health and increased wealth.

If children and young people are unable to attend or participate in school because of physical or emotional problems they will not achieve their full potential and be able to engage the next stage of their journey towards adulthood.  They are more likely to experience poverty, under achievement and increased physical and emotional ill health with increased likelihood of disability and shortened life expectancy.

School nurses have been one source of help available to pupils and/or their families to improve pupils’ health and wellbeing.  School Nurses in mainstream schools provide an opportunity for:

• All children at reception and year 7 to complete a health questionnaire to  identify health issues;
• All children in reception and in year 6 to have their height and weight measured; and
• All children in reception to have a hearing test.

What else do school nurses support children and young people with?

Children and Young People and/or their families may have concerns or issues about life and/or health that they need advice or support with.  School Nurses can be a source of this advice and support.  Issues or concerns that arise have included:

• Growth
• Behaviour
• Anxiety
• Low mood
• Anger
• Sex
• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Weight 

What’s not included in the Birmingham Public Health School Nurse Service?

• School nursing service for children and young people in special schools
• Immunisations and vaccinations delivered by school nurses

The reason for this is that immunisations and School Nursing in special schools is the responsibility of another organisation and is not paid for by Birmingham Public Health.