Schools in Oxfordshire have access to a named NHS School Health Nurse.

The School Health Nurse works with schools, families and young people to provide evidence-based health advice, early intervention and preventative support. Their role is to help students make informed, healthy choices and to support both physical and emotional wellbeing so that they can thrive in school and beyond.

What the School Health Nurse can support with

The School Health Nurse may provide support with a wide range of issues, including:

• a confidential person to talk to about emotional, physical, sexual or social health and wellbeing
• healthy lifestyle choices and keeping safe
• smoking cessation and substance misuse advice
• support for PSHE and health education
• signposting or referral to specialist services
• confidential drop-in opportunities
• contraception advice, pregnancy testing and sexual health screening where appropriate

If they are not the right person to help, they will support students to access the most appropriate service.

How Students can access support

Access arrangements may vary depending on the day and service availability, but students can usually seek support in the following ways:

• attending a drop-in session when the School Health Nurse is in school
• speaking to their tutor, pastoral team or student support staff for help with a referral
• self-referring through the ChatHealth text service

Please contact the school office or pastoral team for the latest information about on-site availability and appointment arrangements.

Confidentiality

The School Nursing service is confidential. This means personal information can usually be discussed privately and will not be shared without permission.

The exception to this is where there is a safeguarding concern or risk of serious harm to a young person or another person. In these circumstances, information may need to be shared to keep people safe. Wherever possible, this would be discussed with the young person first.

Contact Details

• ChatHealth: 07312 263084
  Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm (for parents and young people)
• Email: cyp0-19@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
• Website: Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust – Children & Young People (0–19) Services