School Nurses

Family Nursing & Home Care (FNHC) provides an expert School Nursing service for children and young people of school age in Jersey. 

FNHC’s School Nurses work in partnership with children, young people, families, carers and other professionals in the setting which is most appropriate for your child and family. This is often in schools, the family home or another community setting chosen by the child. Our nurses work with children and young people to understand their needs, applying our expertise to deliver the best possible care with dignity at the core of our service.

The School Nursing team works across all schools in Jersey. The team is led by a qualified Specialist Community Public Health Nurse and includes experienced school nurses and staff nurses with a breadth of nursing qualifications, they provide specialised expertise in areas such as mental health, continence, and nutrition. The team also consists of Mental Health Practitioners who provide for the health needs of Children Looked After. In addition to this, the team provides health representation for the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

Each school has an identified School Nurse and School Nurse Nursery Nurse who has also received additional training and development in working with children and young people. 

FNHC School Nursing services deliver the Healthy Child Programme for children of school age. This evidence based programme focuses on prevention and early help with topics such as emotional and physical health and wellbeing, healthy weight, healthy lifestyle choices, building resilience and self-esteem. The School Nursing team is focused on reducing inequalities in health and promoting inclusion by providing:

• Child health assessments, working in partnership with other professionals to meet the health and educational needs of your child 
• A review of your child’s height and weight when they are in Reception and in Year Six  and offering support if needed (as part of the National Child Measurement programme)
• Safeguarding children and protecting them from harm
• Advice for daytime continence, bedwetting and/or constipation
• Services that are child and family centred
• A wide range of support and involvement aligned to The Healthy Programme. The School Nurse may also refer you to other health care or service providers where appropriate.

We work with other agencies to support children and young people to improve emotional health and well-being outcomes

During your child’s first year at school:

All parents and guardians will be sent a health questionnaire. Once complete, the School Nurse will review the questionnaire, and if there are any health needs identified, will contact the parent or guardian. Alternatively, parents or guardians can contact the School Nurse team directly if they have any health concerns relating to their child. 

School Nurse Nursery Nurses will also attend school on a pre-arranged day to deliver the National Child Measurement programme. This involves checking the height and weight of children. In Reception Year, children will also receive a hearing screening programme. These programmes are part of the Healthy Child Programme and School Nursing service and are undertaken with parental consent with parents and guardians being notified of results. 

Referrals:

Your GP, school and other health and education professionals can refer you to the School Nursing team. Parents and children can also contact the School Nursing team directly with any health or wellbeing concerns.

Important Information:

If your child is unwell, you must call your GP for advice, or dial 999 in an emergency or go to the Emergency Department at the Hospital with your child.