Supporting attendance and guiding school health care choices

School Health+

The Universal Service delivered by the School Health Team is essentially a ‘required service’ by the Government and has fed vital data into national health strategies for generations; however, it is the development of additional school health services that is driving by far the most significant benefits for our young people. This development will continue to benefit future generations and the evolving, progressive school and academy alike. Healthier children and young people have above-average attendance rates at school and their attainment goals are met more easily than those who may have become disconnected with their own wellbeing and education.

When we consider the over-arching goals of the school in terms of performance, the integrative, visible and active approach pioneered by the School Health+ service proves to be essential for the developmental needs of today’s children and young people. The school health practitioner is the only person within the school environment who, working directly with clients, has access to the full range of supporting medical information and services to assist in reducing barriers to school attendance and future attainment.

The School Health+ service can be directly aligned to the goals and aspirations of the school or academy. The School Health Team can work with the school or academy to target both individual and specific underlying community issues that may be creating barriers to success.

Opportunities exist for cluster groups of schools to be established and by procuring services collaboratively, can help create pathways to long-term health, attendance and attainment targets within a community. Through cluster group arrangements, the School Health+ service can develop more impactful relationships with their young clients and work with the school’s team to support wellbeing, attendance and attainment plans. These sensible strategies result in long-term positive outcomes for children and success for young people within local communities.

The School Health+ packages can be tailored to the needs of an individual school or group of schools. Support packages include:

• Attendance booster
• Emotional health support package
• Emotional health support package
• Sex and relationship education programmes
• PHSE support
• Dedicated safeguarding support and training
• Individual programmes