School Nursing Service (Southend-on-Sea) - Health and wellbeing

School nursing services are offered to schools in Southend and a number of Family Centres.

School Nurses are the lead public health professional for school aged children, taking over from the Health Visitor on the child's 5th birthday.

They work in partnership with families and other professionals to promote the health of all children and to support children with health needs in the school environment. This includes care planning with schools and parent carers to ensure the needs of children with diagnosed conditions are met.

Care packages and services are also offered for other health needs such as weight management, bed wetting, hearing and vision assessments, and emotional well-being.

Each mainstream primary and senior school in Southend currently has a named school nurse.

Please note, a separate Specialist School Nursing Service provides support for children and young people who attend special schools.

Duty Service

The School Nursing team offer a duty Service Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm for families, school staff and partner agencies to ensure that access to advice, guidance and support is available.

It is managed by a registered senior nurse who will be available to answer any questions, queries, or referrals made via telephone 01702 534843 or email MSEICB-S.Southendpublichealthnurses@nhs.net

Advice and support for young people

School Nurses are a source of advice and support for young people on a range of health issues through a drop-in service in schools and through ChatHealth.

ChatHealth is a secure and confidential text messaging service for young people aged 11 to 19. The service enables young people to easily and anonymously get in touch with a School Nurse for advice and support regarding mental health, sexual health, bullying, drugs, alcohol, self-harm, relationships, smoking and any other physical health or emotional well-being issue.

Text ChatHealth on 07520 649895.

Advice and support for parent carers

Parent carers of children aged 5 to 19 in Southend can text a School Nurse on 07507 331884 for advice and support with a variety of health issues including growth and development, emotional wellbeing, growing up, sleep, Immunisations, toileting, and healthy lifestyles.

This service is available Monday to Friday (excluding Bank holidays) 9.30am to 4.30pm.

National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)

Every year, accross England, more than a million children in Reception and Year 6 have their height and weight measured as part of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP).

The School Nursing Team will measure your child's height and weight at school. This Information helps to build a national and local picture on how children are growing and the more children that take part, the clearer that picture will be.

This is a government led programme and the data collected is non-identifiable and is used to help plan and provide better health and leisure services for children.

Duty service: 01702 534843

ChatHealth for young people - text 07520 649895

ChatHealth Parentline - text 07507 331884

MSEICB-S.Southendpublichealthnurses@nhs.net

Working hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Not open on Public holidays.

Drop-in clinics run throughout term time across the City for parent carers in a variety of Family Centres, no appointment needed. Contact the service on 01702 534843 for further details.

A referral can be made via a School Nurse referral form which is available in schools, alternatively we accept telephone or email referrals.

Referrals can be made by professionals and parents. All secondary schools have been offered a drop-in service where young people can easily and directly access their school nurse.

For young people educated at home, an appointment can be arranged by texting ChatHealth or calling the team on 01702 534843.