You have open access to universal school nursing services (Mon-Friday 8.30am-4pm) by calling the Single Point of Access on 0191 282 3319.

Drop-in

School Health drop-in sessions are sessions that are held in school usually during lunchtime or after school. There are no appointments, so you can just turn up and speak with a school nurse on the day.

You may also bring along a friend, as we know meeting someone new for the first time can be a daunting experience. This is a confidential safe space within school (or virtually) for you to speak with one of the School Health team to discuss any issues affecting your physical or emotional health.

Currently, we offer a virtual drop-in service via the Attend Anywhere platform, every Thursday between 4pm and 5pm, for young people aged 12 -19 years old.

Follow the link below or call our Single Point of Access on 0191 282 3319. All you need is a smart phone, tablet or computer with internet connection and a private space to talk. You do not need to set up an account, no personal information is stored by Attend Anywhere and it’s a quick and easy way to have that face to face support in your own environment.

If this is not possible at home, then speak with your school who may be able to let us know you wish to talk with us.

Young peoples virtual drop-in (video chat)

1:1 appointments

Young people have the option to access 1:1 sessions (or 1:2 if you want to bring a trusted friend) at any point within your school life, whether it be for just a confidential chat to mull something over, or for something more complex.

Our professionals can offer tier one support and guidance, which can be around a range of health issues such as:

Advice with relationships (e.g. sexual health, healthy relationship concerns or bullying)
Identity exploration (sexual or gender)
Healthy lifestyles (e.g. drugs, alcohol or smoking)
Emotional health and wellbeing (e.g. exam pressures, bereavement)
Any general health concerns.

We aim to foster support to give you strategies to build resilience and to manage difficult situations and stress for future.

Referrals can be submitted from GPs, parents / carers, teachers, social workers, friends and other ways as well as the young person themselves following a conversation with a nurse at a drop-in session.

Confidentiality

Our school health teams are governed by NHS Confidentiality policies and confidentiality is very important to developing trust and enhances working relationships between young people and their school health worker.

Therefore, you are always assessed for competence and capacity. If deemed competent (usually around the age 13), the parent or legal guardian may not always be aware that support is being provided, we always advise you discuss support with a parent or other trusted adult.

If the nurse feels that you are at risk, then the nurse will follow essential safeguarding policies to keep them safe. This will be explained to you at every meeting and before support is offered.