School nursing teams
Our School Nursing teams are made up of Administrators, Support workers, Community Staff Nurses and Specialist Community Public Health Nurses. We are split across 3 teams within the borough to help children and young people make the best possible start in life.
The School Nursing team work with children and families from aged 5 up to 19 years. The team work from health centre’s within the borough and work in partnership with their allocated schools. They work to provide a link between school, home and the community, with the main aim of improving health and wellbeing. We also have a specialist nurse (EOTAS Nurse) supporting Children and Young People who do not attend an education setting, or attend alternative education provisions.
The school nursing service worked in partnership with children, young people and their families to ensure that children's health needs are supported within their school and their community. The teams provide support to schools, families and children, including those with disabilities and complex emotional needs, on a wide range of topics.
These include:
- Support on health lifestyles
- Stopping smoking and obesity
- Social education and citizenship
- Carrying out development screening
- Supporting / signposting children with medical needs such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy to appropriate services
- Early intervention for children and young people requiring emotional support
Contact your school nurse via the Duty Desk for any support you may require:
Tel: 0300 300 1813
Email: DutydeskchildrenBD@nelft.nhs.uk
National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)
As part of the National Child Measurement Programme, children are weighed and measured at school. The information is used by the NHS and your local council to plan and provide better health services for children.
If you have a child in reception (ages 4 and 5) or year 6 (ages 10 and 11), you'll receive a letter with more information before your child is measured.
On the day, trained staff will weigh your child and measure their height while they're in their clothes at school. They'll make sure the measurements are done sensitively and in private, and your child's results will not be shared with teachers or other children.
Some children may feel anxious about the process, with concerns ranging from being measured in front of peers to fears that they may be receiving vaccinations. To help with these worries, NELFT has co-produced an animation designed with children’s drawings for school nursing teams to show to pupils in Year 6. The animation offers reassurance and explains what happens on measurement day and most importantly that everyone is different, and healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes.
To find out more about the NCMP, please follow this link: The National Child Measurement Programme - NHS
Barking and Dagenham Local Offer
The Barking and Dagenham Local Offer website helps children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities and their families find the information and support they are looking for, from across the Barking and Dagenham local area.