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School Nursing - Worcestershire

  • We are part of the 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service. We provide a wide range of services to meet the needs of children, young people and their families. These include health needs questionnaires, the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) and ChatHealth text messaging service.

About our service

We provide a wide range of services for children, young people and their families in Worcestershire. These include (but are not limited to):

We offer confidential health and wellbeing support to children and young people in mainstream schools and Pupil Referral Units. This can include help with stress, bullying and managing worries. We can also give sexual health advice, including condoms, pregnancy testing, and information about other services. In addition, we support young people with issues such as weight concerns, mental and emotional health, accident prevention, attendance at emergency departments, domestic violence concerns, and substance misuse.

We weigh and measure all reception and year 6 children on an annual basis and each parent receives the results and a contact number if they wish to discuss their child’s results with the School Nurse. 

We work closely with schools and other professionals to identify, support and monitor children and young people who may need extra help. This starts when your child begins school and continues at key points throughout their education.

We have a separate team of trained Special School Nurses who support children and young people attending Worcestershire's special schools.

Our team

Our School Health Nursing service is mainly made up of Specialist Community Public Health Nurses, nurses who have a variety of skills, academic qualifications and expertise within varying areas such as sexual health, children’s health, mental health, health promotion and teaching. We also have healthcare support workers with a range of training and skills working with children, young people and parents, alongside the school health nurses on a day to day basis. 

Parents and carers can arrange to speak with a school nurse with prior arrangement, We are available at different times throughout the week. Please speak to your child's school if you wish to arrange a meeting with a member of the team. 
If your child for would benefit from support from the team, you can make a referral online. We accept electronic referrals from schools, parents, GPs, and professionals.
If you need support with a referral, please contact: whcnhs.shnaccessandresponse@nhs.net.

Information for young people

We can support you with a wide range of worries or concerns, including: Smart phone icon

  • Bullying
  • Eating disorders
  • Bereavement/losing someone you love
  • Mental health problems including anxiety, depression, self-harm
  • Sleep problems
  • Sexual health and contraception 
If you are aged between 11-19 years old, text 07507331750 to speak to a member of our team. We are available 9:00am — 5:00pm, Monday - Friday. 

How we use your information

To help you stay healthy and access the right support when you need it, we sometimes need to collect information about your health and wellbeing. We want you and your parent or carer to understand what we do, what we record, and how you can say yes or no.

What might we do?

We may invite you to take part in some of these:

  • Height and weight checks:  This is called the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). It helps us understand how children are growing.
  • Health and wellbeing questionnaires:  You might be asked to complete an online health questionnaire called ‘My Health Check’ This helps us know if you might need extra support.
  • Wellbeing chats and goal setting: We sometimes use a tool called Outcome Star. It helps you talk about how things are going in your life and set goals if you want to make changes.

What happens to the information?

We write important notes in your health record on a secure NHS system called Rio. Sometimes we may save a picture (screenshot) of a wellbeing tool like Outcome Star so we can remember what you talked about and track progress.

Your information is stored safely and only seen by professionals who need to help care for you.

Who might we share information with?

We only share information when it is needed to help support you. This might include:

  • Your school (for example, if you need support in class)
  • Your GP (doctor)
  • Other health or care professionals

We only share what is necessary, not everything. If we are worried that you might not be safe, we may need to tell other people who can help keep you safe.

If we need to do this, we will try to tell you first — as long as it is safe for us to do so.

How does consent (saying yes or no) work?

Different things need different levels of permission.

  • Implied consent: For things like height/weight checks or questionnaires, information is sent home to parents/carers. If they do not say no, we take this as permission.
  • Verbal or clear consent: If we use a wellbeing tool like Outcome Star or save a screenshot in your record, we will ask clearly: “Are you happy for us to do this and keep a copy in your health record?”
    You can say yes or no. Young people can decide too.

If you are older (usually around 13 years old) and understand what is being asked, you may be able to give your own permission. This is called being Gillick competent.

Can you change your mind?

Yes. You or your parent/carer can say no or change your mind at any time.

Just tell the School Nurse or contact the School Nursing Team by texting Chathealth on 07507331750.

Our promise to you

  • We only ask for information that helps support your health and wellbeing
  • We keep your information safe
  • We explain things in a way you understand
  • You can ask questions at any time

Information for parents and carers

To provide the right support at the right time, we sometimes need to collect and record information about your child. 

What services might your child be offered?

  • Height and weight checks: Your child may be measured as part of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) in Reception and Year 6. This is a national public health programme.
  • Health and wellbeing questionnaires: Children and young people may complete a digital health questionnaire known as ‘My Health Check’. This helps us understand if they may benefit from extra support.
  • Wellbeing tools and support conversations: School Nurses may use a tool called the Outcome Star. This supports conversations about wellbeing and helps young people set goals if they would like support or change.

How is information recorded?

All relevant information is stored securely in your child’s NHS health record using a clinical system called Rio.

In some cases, we may save a screenshot of a completed wellbeing tool (such as Outcome Star) so we can track progress over time. These images form part of the clinical record and are stored securely.

We only record information that is necessary to support your child’s health and wellbeing.

Who might we share information with?

We share information on a need-to-know basis to help support your child. This may include:

  • School staff (where health information affects learning or wellbeing)
  • Your child’s GP
  • Other NHS or support services involved in their care

We only share the information that is really needed. If we are worried that a child is not safe, we may need to tell other people who can help keep them safe.

If we need to do this, we will try to let you know first — as long as it is safe to do so.

How does consent work?

We aim to make consent simple and proportionate. 

  • Implied consent (opt-out): For public health programmes like NCMP and My Health Check questionnaire, information is provided to parents in advance. If you do not wish your child to take part, you can opt out. If we do not hear otherwise, we take this as implied consent.
  • Explicit or verbal consent: For wellbeing tools such as Outcome Star, and for storing screenshots in the clinical record, we will ask for clear agreement. This may be verbal (for example during a phone call or appointment) and will be recorded in your child’s health record.
  • Young person consent: As children get older and are able to understand, they may be able to give their own consent. This is called Gillick competence. We always encourage involving parents where appropriate, but respect young people’s rights to confidential health support.

How is consent recorded?

Consent is recorded once in your child’s health record, including:

  • who gave consent
  • the date and time
  • what the consent covered

This helps keep records clear and avoids duplication across systems.

Can consent be withdrawn?

Yes. You or your child can say no or change your mind at any time. Contact the School Nursing Team by:

  • Phone: 01905 520032
  • Text: 07312263547

Our commitment to you

We will:

  • Only collect information that helps support your child
  • Keep information secure and confidential
  • Share information appropriately and safely
  • Explain things clearly
  • Respect your and your child’s choices