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School nurses are qualified public health nurses, staff nurses and nursery nurses who promote and protect the health of school aged children. They have two main roles:

•  to give confidential advice, care and treatment to young people and their parents or carers
•  to look after and protect the physical and emotional health of young people

Every local authority school in Northumberland has a named school nurse. Examples of the services offered by the school nursing service include organising immunisation campaigns and delivering some of the personal, social and health education curriculum in school.

The school nurse can also provide health care and advice for individual children, young people and their families or carers. Many of the high schools have a ‘drop in’ service, this is where young people can self refer to the school nurse service and receive confidential health care on a range of subjects which concern young people such as sexual health, emotional issues or healthy lifestyles.

Alternatively children’s services or health staff such as year heads or GPs can refer (with the young persons consent) to the school nurse for an assessment. Following assessment a plan will be developed which will promote the young person's healh. The reasons for referral vary from a child who is struggling to behave well at home to a young person who may be depressed.

Your school nurse and you

Sometimes you might feel like your school nurse doesn’t spend much time at your school but this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to see them. They might visit you at your home or invite you to come and see them in another setting.  School nurses will try to provide services to young people and their families in lots of different locations.  This means it will be easier for you and other young people to see your school nurse.  It also means young people who do not go to school are able to see a school nurse.

When you talk to your school nurse you talk ‘in confidence’ this means the school nurse will not talk about what you have said to other people or to your school.  However, if the school nurse is concerned about your safety, for example, if you say something that makes your school nurse think that you or someone else is in danger, the school nurse will have to tell somebody else.  The school nurse will tell you if they need to do this.

How can I access the service?

Any child or young person who is registered with a local authority school in Northumberland can access the service. This does not mean that you have to attend school as we know that some young people are excluded or are too unwell, however your name should still be on a school register. If you are not registered with a local authority school because for example you are newly arrived in the area, we may still be able to help.

Contact details

Base	Partnership	Telephone details
Tweedmouth clinic	Berwick	01289 356962
Bondgate clinic	Alnwick	01665 626718
Broomhill health centre	Coquet	01670 761908
Morpeth Families And Children Trust team office		01670 516131
Child health centre, Wansbeck hospital	Ashington/ Hirst	01670 564048
Bedlington medical group, Bedlington	St Benet Biscop	01670 822695
Compass house	Astley	01670 354316
Compass house	BCC	01670 354316
Compass house	Cramlington	01670 354316
Ponteland PCC	Ponteland	01661 864581
Prudhoe health centre	Prudhoe	01661 832512
Corbridge health centre	Hexham	01434 636939
Haltwhistle health centre	Haydon Bridge	01434 323366

School nurses are based around the county covering each school partnership. The service is offered between 8.30a.m – 6p.m. You may be asked to leave a message on an answer machine.

Useful websites

Young minds - provide information on child and adolescent mental health services for parents and professionals.

Childline – confidential 24-hour helpline

There 4 Me  – emotional support and advice for 12 -14 year olds

FRANK  – confidential advice and information on drugs

Need 2 know  - health information and advice, with specific sections for 11-14 year olds and 14-16 year olds

Kids health - information on staying healthy, separate sections for teenagers, young children and parents

R U thinking?  – information on safe sex and sex education

Teenage health freak – information on health issues

Embarrassing problems – advice on problems that are difficult to talk about