School Health Nurse

All Schools and Colleges are supported by the School Health Nurse Service.

Children in Oxfordshire can also get support from the School Health Nurse Service if they are not at school, for example if you are home educated or for any other reason. 

You can see the School Health Nurse without telling anyone else. You can see the School Health Nurse for any health concern including mental health.

Take Action: Find out how to contact Oxfordshire School Health Nurse Service and the Chat Health Service (support via text message) for young people 5-19. 

More about the school health nurse service

School and College health nurses are specially trained to help keep you healthy, happy and safe.

We can help with lots of things such as:

1. Advice on healthy choices
2. Emotional health and wellbeing
3. Promoting healthy lifestyles and fitness
4. Sexual health and contraception
5. Support for teenage parents

Crucial: The School Health Nurse service also supports those at Further Education College. They can support on all kinds of issues, including quitting smoking, substance use and healthy lifestyles and mental health.

Confidentiality

Everything you discuss with your School Health Nurse is confidential.

It is only if you are at risk or putting someone else at risk that the School Health Nurse might need to talk to other professionals. They will always try and discuss this with you first though, so you know what is going on.

Contraceptive Health Outreach

All young people under 19 can access contraceptive health services via their School Health Nurse or the Nurse at their college. 

You can also access this service if you are:

• Not in mainstream education
• Electively home educated (EHE)
• Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET)
• In employment or training but aged under 19

This service is also available for young people who are attending non-mainstream Schools, Looked After, in the Youth Justice System, in Child Protection or receiving Family Nurse Partnership services.

Contraceptive outreach includes:

• Condoms
• Chlamydia testing and treatment
• Pregnancy testing
• Contraception, including Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC)

You can access this service by emailing SHN.Oxfordshire@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk or by texting Chathealth on 07312 263084 

Crucial: You don't have to be at school or college to access any School Health Nurse services in Oxfordshire. They can be accessed by children and young people under 19 who are being educated at home (EHE), who are not in employment education or training (NEET) and who are otherwise not in mainstream education. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

As school health nurses we get asked lots of different things. These are some of the most common questions we are asked. 

Can I get contraception from the school and college nurses?

Yes, if your school has agreed to it. All contraceptives are also available free from Sexual health services or your GP.

I want to have a health treatment like an immunisation but my parents are against this. What can I do? 

Speak to your School Health Nurse. You can have an immunisation, or any health treatment if you can consent for yourself.

Can someone help me stop smoking or vaping?

Your school health nurse can give you smoking cessation support and treatment, or help you talk to your doctor’s surgery. 

I want to lose weight and get fitter! Can you help?

Your school health nurse can help with eating and weight. 

Somebody is threatening me or making me unhappy – where can I get help?

You can get help from any member of staff at your school or setting, including your school health nurse.

I feel miserable, can my school health nurse help?

School nurses are trained to help with emotional health, and can refer you to specialised services if you need it.

I have to care for somebody – where can I get help?

Young carers are entitled to special support. You can let any staff member know you are caring for someone at home. You can also tell the school nurse who will help you to get the right support.

Some of my friends want to do risky things, like smoking. Can the school health nurse help?

If you are worried about a friend, any staff member at your school can support you, including your school health nurse.

Will the School Health Nurse tell my parents/carers/teacher what I discuss with them?

Anything you tell the nurse is confidential unless it is something that puts you or others at risk. If it does then they will have to share it with someone for your safety. They will discuss this with you before they do so.