School Nurse Presentation to New Parents. why me. Continence in children and young people. Registered charity number:

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1 School Nurse Presentation to New Parents why me? Continence in children and young people

2 Aims of this session To introduce parents / carers to the school nursing service To inform parents carers about commonly raised health issues To encourage parents to inform the school (nursing service) about issues / problems affecting their child To encourage parents / carers to access the school nursing service To help ensure a successful transition into school. What you need / should have available to give parents/carers Supplied as part of Why me? About ERIC Continence The Facts The Role of the School Nursing Service in first/primary schools Template To be generated / obtained from other sources Drop in dates and times and your team s contact details (nurse generated) Questionnaire and consent forms (multiple copies) Leaflet available from the Health Protection Agency Guidance on infection control 1 Other leaflets / sources of information appropriate to parents / carers

3 Part 1 - Introduction Introduce yourself to the group. Advise the group when and how you are happy to field questions - either as you go along or at the end of your presentation. If possible make yourself available after the presentation to take individual questions privately. Explain the two key responsibilities of the school nursing service: - To assess, protect and promote the health and wellbeing of school aged children and young people - To offer advice, care and treatment to individuals and groups of children, young people and the adults who care for them 2. Explain the roles of members of your team

4 Part 2 - Information The Role of the School Nursing Service Assess School nurse entry checks (developmental screening): Height Weight (National Child Measurement Programme) 3 Hearing Vision (where performed by the School Nursing service) Referral pathways Protect Hygiene in school Referring to the current guidance available from the Health Protection Agency Explain how as parents / carers they can help prevent the spread of infections by ensuring: They teach their child good personal hygiene practices in particular hand washing and disposal of used tissues They adhere to the exclusion period following common childhood illnesses i.e. diarrhoea and vomiting Their child s immunisations are up to date Promote Explain how the school nursing team helps promote and raise awareness of health issues amongst teaching staff and pupils through: Education of staff around specific health issues i.e. anaphylaxis Supporting the PSHE curriculum Healthy schools Advice care and treatment Support and advice Explain your service availability and drop in facilities for parents / carers Telephone consultations Face to face appointments Handout Pre-prepared information with the times and dates of drop ins and your team s contact details.

5 Part 2 - Information Nurse led clinics Enuresis and Continence Explain that most children are dry in the daytime by the age of 5 years old possibly with the very occasional mishap. If daytime wetting increases or their child is not dry yet, recommend that parents take a routine urine sample to their family doctor for testing and offer to talk to the parents / carers after the presentation or at the drop in. Nocturnal Enuresis (Bedwetting) Explain that it is considered developmentally normal for some children to wet the bed until the age of 7. This is the age children can be referred to an enuresis clinic unless there are other complications i.e. day time wetting, soiling, in which case they would be seen sooner. 4 Explain the importance of children drinking throughout the school day. Refer to school policy of drinking water availability and reference Water is Cool in School. 5 Audiology Explain about glue ear and sensory neural loss and the referral pathway. Remind parents that it is important the school is aware of any health needs / worries or concerns they have about their child, these problems if not resolved may affect their child s school social life and ability to learn, using the example of continence: Children with continence issues may experience more emotional problems and have lower selfesteem than children without continence problems Children who wet or soil may be at an increased risk of bullying Successful treatment often results in the ending of or reduction of problems such as low selfesteem and other behavioural and emotional issues Who should know: Class teacher School nurse Paediatrician Handout Copies of About ERIC, Continence - The Facts, ERIC - Water is Cool in School Additional Parenting Support information Care plans for children with complex health needs Parenting support

6 Part 3 - Closing and Reminders Explain and reinforce your code of confidentiality Explain the importance of completing the questionnaire and consent form, highlighting areas relating to continence, bladder control and soiling. Direct parents to relevant information / leaflets not already distributed References Looking for a School Nurse? DoH NICE are developing clinical guidelines for Nocturnal Enuresis at the time of writing, they are due to be published in October