School Health Advisory Service in Birmingham Consultation Questionnaire

Closed 15 Feb 2015

Opened 8 Dec 2014

Contact

childrenhealthandwellbeing@birmingham.gov.uk

Feedback updated 8 Jun 2015

We asked

For your views on the proposed School Health Advisory Service, which areas for improvement should be prioritised and what you thought of our proposals.

You said

We received a tremendous response, with 3,424 questionnaires submitted. There was strong support for our identified priorities. The survey reached a large young audience with 75% of respondents being 15 years old or younger. 82% of respondents agreed with the proposed priority to help children to attend school even if they have a medical problem. 89% agreed with the service helping to find health problems early and 92% to giving help early once identified. 90% of respondents identified safeguarding children as a priority. The healthy weight priority was agreed by 80% of respondents. 85% of respondents agreed with helping children with emotional problems as a priority, with 85% also agreeing that help was a priority for those who may have problems with drugs, alcohol or smoking. The lowest respondent level was 67% which was for the priority of helping growing children with relationships, including sexual health. There were concerns raised regarding giving children information too early and that it was only suitable for older children. Generally there was support for offering service out of hours and on other premises, but also that services should be school based. There was support for increasing the service to include potentially vulnerable children, who are not in school.

We did

We have placed a greater emphasis on delivering a core offer to schools and so increasing the visibility of the service in schools. The priorities areas will be identified and needs addressed following a health assessment. This will include offering health assessments to vulnerable children and young people (e.g. home educated, asylum seekers or those in the Youth Criminal Justice service). Where needs have been identified appropriate care pathways will be used. Services will be offered at a time and venue to suit the individual, either in school or alternative premises and outside school hours where appropriate. The services will offer a variety of ways of interaction with schools and children, including via texts and emails.

Overview

Birmingham City Council would like your views on the proposed School Health Advisory Service. The School Health Advisory Service will address physical and emotional health issues which can prevent children’s and young people’s full attendance at school and/or joining in lessons or activities.

 What are we trying to achieve?

We want to maximise the health and wellbeing of children and young people in Birmingham by enabling them to attend and benefit from lessons and activities in school. If they participate in school they are more likely to achieve their potential.

We are proposing a new model for the School Health Advisory Service in Birmingham. Our proposed priorities for the service are:

•             Helping children to attend school even if they have medical problems

•             Helping to find health problems early

•             Giving early help to children with health problems

•             Safeguarding children

•             Helping children who may need special help

•             Helping children to be a healthy weight

•             Helping children with emotional problems

•             Helping children who may have a problem with drugs, alcohol or smoking

•             Helping growing children with relationships, including sexual health

 

Why your views matter

 

Reasons for remodelling current services

The current School Nursing Service, including the mandated National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP), is delivered by a single NHS provider. The scope of the current service has developed over a number of years. However, there are some schools that do not get a regular service. In addition, there is evidence from local work suggesting the service needs to be more visible and it needs to change how and from where it supports pupils and families.

We have a responsibility to secure the highest quality service outcomes at the best possible price, and it is unlikely there will be any additional finances to extend a School Health Advisory Service.  We are, therefore, proposing a new model that aims to focus on identifying and reducing any health issues that get in the way of a pupil joining in with lessons and activities.

Thank you for your time. The information you provide will be kept confidential and used only for the purposes of the proposed School Health Advisory Service.

Areas

  • ACOCKS GREEN
  • ASTON
  • BARTLEY GREEN
  • BILLESLEY
  • BORDESLEY GREEN
  • BOURNVILLE
  • BRANDWOOD
  • CITY CENTRE
  • CITY-WIDE
  • EDGBASTON
  • ERDINGTON
  • HALL GREEN
  • HANDSWORTH WOOD
  • HARBORNE
  • HODGE HILL
  • KINGS NORTON
  • KINGSTANDING
  • LADYWOOD
  • LONGBRIDGE
  • LOZELLS AND EAST HANDSWORTH
  • MOSELEY AND KINGS HEATH
  • NECHELLS
  • NORTHFIELD
  • OSCOTT
  • PERRY BARR
  • QUINTON
  • SELLY OAK
  • SHARD END
  • SHELDON
  • SOHO
  • SOUTH YARDLEY
  • SPARKBROOK
  • SPRINGFIELD
  • STECHFORD AND YARDLEY NORTH
  • STOCKLAND GREEN
  • SUTTON FOUR OAKS
  • SUTTON NEW HALL
  • SUTTON TRINITY
  • SUTTON VESEY
  • TYBURN
  • WASHWOOD HEATH
  • WEOLEY

Audiences

  • Young people
  • Children
  • Children in Care/looked after
  • Parents/Carers/Guardians
  • Students
  • Public Sector Bodies

Interests

  • Democracy and Participation
  • Children & Young People
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Education
  • Health Services
  • Health Conditions
  • Health Information