School nursing

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Parents, carers and families
Need to understand what the School Nursing Service provides, how it supports children and young people, and how to access advice or support.

Young people

Children and young people of school age
Need accessible information about health and wellbeing support, confidentiality, and how to contact the School Nursing Service.

Professionals

School staff, GPs, health professionals and partner agencies
Need information about the role of School Nurses, referral pathways, partnership working and available resources.

Other

Schools and educational settings
Need to understand how the School Nursing Service works with schools to support pupils' physical health, emotional wellbeing, safeguarding and health promotion.

School Nurses are Specialist Community Public Health Nurses who work with children, young people, families, schools and partner agencies to support health, wellbeing and development throughout the school years.

The service provides health promotion, early intervention, immunisation and advice and support for a range of physical, emotional and social health needs.

The service is available for school-aged children, young people and their families in Northern Ireland.

School Nurses also work closely with:

• Schools and educational settings
• General Practitioners (GPs)
• Health and Social Care services
• Community and voluntary organisations
• Other professionals involved in supporting children and young people

School Nurses support children and young people with a range of health and wellbeing issues, including:

• Emotional health and wellbeing
• Immunisation
• Healthy lifestyles
• Growth and development
• Sleep concerns
• Continence (bladder and bowel health)
• Nutrition and healthy eating
• Relationships and personal development
• Medical conditions in school
• Supporting attendance and participation in education
• Safeguarding and child protection concerns

If you are worried about your child's health, wellbeing or development, contact your School Nursing Service for advice.

School nursing teams also deliver routine vaccination programmes in schools to protect against serious illnesses.

This includes:

• Flu vaccine
• HPV vaccine
• MenACWY vaccine (meningitis and septicaemia)
• School leavers booster (diphtheria, tetanus and polio)

Parents and carers receive information and consent forms in advance of your child’s vaccination.

For more information on vaccinations please access the following link 

School Nurses provide a confidential service for young people, where appropriate.

They can offer support and advice on:

• Physical health
• Emotional wellbeing
• Healthy relationships
• Healthy lifestyles
• Managing long-term health conditions
• Signposting to other services when additional support is needed

If you are a young person and have concerns about your health or wellbeing, you can speak to your School Nurse.

When should I seek support?

You should consider contacting the School Nursing Service if:

• You have concerns about your child's health, wellbeing or development.
• Your child needs support to manage a health condition in school.
• You would like advice about emotional wellbeing or healthy lifestyles.
• You are unsure which service can best support your child.

School Nurses can provide advice, support and signposting to appropriate services.

School Nurses work in partnership with schools to promote health and wellbeing and help children and young people achieve their full potential.

This may include:

• Health promotion programmes
• Advice and support for pupils with health needs
• Support for attendance and inclusion
• Training and advice for school staff
• Early identification of health and wellbeing concerns

School Nurses play an important role in supporting vaccination programmes for school-aged children and young people.

School-based vaccination programmes help protect children and young people from serious infectious diseases and contribute to improving public health.

School Nurses and immunisation teams:

• Provide information about recommended vaccinations.
• Support informed decision-making by parents, carers and young people.
• Work with schools to organise vaccination sessions.
• Promote uptake of routine immunisations.
• Signpost families who have missed a vaccination appointment.

Information about current school vaccination programmes, eligibility and consent processes is available through your GP or local Health and Social Care Trust.