You have open access to the health visiting service (Monday – Friday, 8.30am-4pm) by calling the Single Point of Access on 0191 282 3319.

We offer confidential health assessments for any young people who requests one and specifically in Year 9 (aged 13-14yrs) and Year 12 (aged 16-17yrs) to identify any advice, support or help that might be needed to prepare them for adulthood. The assessment looks at their physical, emotional, social and cognitive needs.

These can be held in designated clinics, school or your home and from these and it is important that you are listened to and that your voice is heard in these assessment. This is chance for you to talk through any worries, concerns or questions you may have.

Through these assessments schools nurses gain an insight into any existing health needs you may have and can signpost, or refer you into other services or offer tailored support.

This can include a range of health issues such as:

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

This support can give young people strategies to build resilience and to manage difficult situations and stress for future.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is very important to developing the trust and enhancing working relationships with you and therefore, we will always assessed you 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, but you are always advised to discuss support with a parent or other trusted adult and, if the nurse feels that your are at risk, then the nurse will follow essential safeguarding policies to keep them safe. This will be explained to you before support is offered.