School Health

The School Health Team 

Children and young people in schools have access to a School Nurse who offers a confidential service.  The School nursing team is made up of:

• Specialist Community Public Health Nurses
• Band 5 Registered Nurses
• School Health Support Worker

What does the team do? 

The refocused School Nurse role concentrates on four priority areas in Orkney.  These are Mental Health and Wellbeing, Child Protection, Looked After Children and Transitions. 

The School Nurse team provide support and advice on health issues for children from school entry age until 19 years old in all educational establishments. 

Service description

The aim of School Nursing is to promote public health to children, young people and their families, to support schools and other professionals in order to respond to the health needs to their population and to achieve the best outcome for the children and young people of Orkney.

The School Health team do this by:

• Referring to other services as and when required
• Providing health promotion sessions in all schools
• Provide 1:1 support
• Liaising with education, health, social work and the third sector 
• Continence support and clinic

National Child Measurement Programme

Child health assessments (commonly known as screening) are carried out in schools and with consent, on all Primary 1 pupils. 

Primary 1 - height and weight (shoes need to be removed, and may be asked to take hair bobbles out).

Primary 7 Chats

Using the national "Getting it right for every child" (GIREFC) Wellbeing Wheel, the School Health team will meet with P7 pupils and complete a health and wellbeing assessment which is optional. Consent will be sought from parent/caregiver prior to carrying out the chats. Further information regarding the Wellbeing Wheel can be found at -https://www.gov.scot/policies/girfec/

Useful links:

• Nordhaven Clinic
• Childline
• Eric
• Facebook – NHS Orkney School Health page

Our Address:

Orkney Health and Care

The Balfour

Foreland Road

KIRKWALL

KW15 1NZ