Who are the School Nurses?

School Nurses are part of Blackpool Community Health Services’ age 0-19 team. Our team is made up of specialist nurses, staff nurses and support health professionals.

When you start school at age 4, we take over your care from your Health Visitor. We can support you with your physical and emotional needs from when you start school until you leave.

Our aim is to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent illness amongst school-age children and ensure that nothing gets in the way of your development, so that you can achieve your full potential.

We can offer advice on having a healthy lifestyle including healthy eating, exercise, dental health, sexual health and substance misuse.

We offer the childhood immunisation programme, which ensures young people are protected against disease and infection.

We provide support for children and families with complex needs and long-term illnesses such as diabetes and asthma.

We work in partnership with outside agencies to promote the rights and educational needs of young carers.

We can offer advice and information on the issues of bed wetting and constipation.

The School Nursing Service is a confidential service available to all students. Nurses are guided by the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct and are under no obligation to inform teachers, parents or carers of issues arising from consultations with young people. However, School Nurses have a safeguarding responsibility. They are alert to signs of neglect and abuse and have a duty to report any concerns they may have. School Nurses must follow safeguarding procedures if the nurse thinks that the young person may be at risk of significant harm.

Young people are always encouraged to talk to their parents or carers about issues that are troubling them.