School Health Newsletter Autumn 2015

Welcome to the first edition of the school health newsletter which we hope will inform you of

service developments and improvements in practice as we strive to deliver high quality

evidence based care to the school age population.

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust is launching a new way for young people to access

advice and support about health related issues. This service will be available to all

secondary schools from September 2015. Chat Health is a confidential school nurse

messaging service for young people aged 11-19 years, available Monday to Friday from

9am to 4pm (automatic bounce-backs respond to incoming messages out of hours). This

will provide a quick way for young people to access a health professional with an allocated

nurse being on duty for Hertfordshire each day.

The evidence base shows that children and young people are experiencing increasing levels

of emotional distress with one in ten children suffering from a mental health disorder and one

in fifteen self-harming with many needing hospitalisation as a result of this (YoungMinds,

2011). This service will improve access to support, advice and signposting to support the

health of young people.

The text number is 07480 635050.

Immunisation update

Immunisations in the new academic year will be delivered by the newly established school

health immunisation team. This team will be led by Lynn Cowan who has extensive

experience of the school based immunisation programme. This new academic year brings

two improvements to the existing immunisation schedule.

The flu immunisation is to be offered to all children in years one and two from September

2015. This extension to the flu immunisation programme aims to lower the public health

impact of flu by offering direct protection to children and indirect protection by reducing the

spread of flu from children to other children and adults. The flu vaccine that will be offered in

school is Fluenz Tetra®, a live intranasal vaccine. It contains an attenuated (weakened)

vaccine virus that is also cold adapted so that it cannot cause the disease that it protects

against (Public Health England, 2015).

There will also be a change to the meningitis vaccination offered to students in year 10

moving from the vaccination protecting against meningitis C only to one protecting against

meningitis ACW and Y. This is in response to a rapid increase in the number of cases of

meningitis and septicaemia caused by meningitis W. Older teenagers and university

students are at a high risk of infection as they tend to live in close contact in shared

accommodation such as university residences (Public Health England, 2015b).

School health is grateful for the continued support from school staff to deliver the school

based immunisations programme. Hertfordshire achieved an excellent uptake of

immunisations in 2014-2015; Meningitis C 88.8%, diptheria, tetanus and polio 85% and HPV

1 and 2 90.6% and 88.7% respectively.

Long-tem conditions

Long-term conditions are health conditions that require ongoing management over a period

of years. Common long term conditions in childhood include diabetes, asthma, epilepsy and

allergies. Children and young people who have a long term condition are at risk of missing

out on educational opportunities due to prolonged absences from school, from ill health or

multiple appointments (Department of Health, 2004). Asthma is a particular concern as it

affects one in eleven children and results in over 25 000 emergency admissions to hospital

each year (Department of Health, 2015). Supporting staff in school that care for children with

long term conditions is viewed as an important part of the school nurse role and a session

addressing epilepsy, asthma, allergies, diabetes and sickle cell can be provided to improve

knowledge of these conditions. Your school nurse can discuss this with you at the termly

liaison visit and can support staff with formulating care plans to ensure the health needs of

students with a long term condition are met.

The school nursing team welcome feedback on this newsletter and would be pleased to hear

of any issues school staff would like to see included in future editions. Please contact your

allocated school nurse to discuss this.

References

Public Health England. (2015). The national childhood flu immunisation programme2015/2016. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/452960/PHE_Childhood_influenza_programme_2015_16.pdf Public Health England. (2015b). Letter from Public Health England. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/437901/150622_ACWY_bipartite_letter.pdf

United Kingdom Department of Health. (2015). Guidance on the use of emergency salbutamol inhalers in school. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416468/emergency_inhalers_in_schools.pdf

United Kingdom Department of Health. (2004).National Service Framework for Children,

Young People and Maternity Services. Children and Young People who are

Ill.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/199954/Nati

onal_Service_Framework_for_Children_Young_People_and_Maternity_Services_-

_Children_and_Young_People_who_are_Ill.pdf

YoungMinds. (2011). 100,000 children and young people could be hospitalised due to self-harm by 2020 warns YoungMinds. London: YoungMinds.

Coffee/tea, sugar, longlife milk, fruit juice/squash

Tinned meat/hot dogs/pies/fish/vegetables

Rice, pasta/noodles, cooking sauces

Tinned puddings/custard, jam/spreads

Cereals/cereal bars, biscuits, parbaked bread

Shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, shaving foam/razors, toilet rolls

Washing up liquid/washing powder

Nappies sizes: 2, 4+, 5 & 6 plus baby wipes

Alternatively, just look for the special offers in the shops, especially

'Buy-One-Get-One-Free' so you get to keep one and give one away.

Thank you for your kind contributions to the FEED ministry.

We truly appreciate your ongoing support.

Please find below our current shopping list.

For more information visit our website

www.thevineyardchurch.co.uk

New website coming soon! www.stalbansdspl.org.uk

SIBS GROUP!

St Albans, Harpenden and Villages (DSPL 7) working in partnership with the 3 St Albans

and District Local Schools Partnerships

Venue: The Links ESC, 1 Hixberry Lane, St Albans AL4 0TZ

29th September 2015

20th October 2015

24th November 2015

26th January 2016

23rd February 2016

29th March 2016

24th May 2016

28th June 2016

19th July 2016

Do you have a brother or sister of any age with special needs? Are you aged between 7 and

11 years old? Would you like to come and join our Sibs group and have fun with others once

a month? Sibs group runs on the last Tuesday of every month (unless it’s school holidays!) All

the dates are below.

We have fabulous facilities, including a purpose built kitchen, design and technology room,

outdoor areas and sports facilities. The Links also have a beauty and hairdressing salon!

The group starts at 3.45pm and runs until 6pm and children can arrive at any time from

3.30pm, depending on where you are coming from and the end of your school day.

We have different activities every session, including sport, crafts, homework support and a

quiet reading area. We will also be asking you to manage the donations, surveying other

members and researching and purchasing new items!

We will also create dinner and eat together as a group.

Would you like to come and join us? You must book your place by calling the

St Albans West booking line on 07909 043946, leaving your child's name, your contact

details and the name of the school your child attends. Also the dates of the sessions

you would like to book.

We ask families to contribute £1 per week towards resources, but please do not feel that you

have to pay if you are unable to. This money will be the fund that the children manage and

use to purchase new equipment.

New website coming soon! www.stalbansdspl.org.uk

SIBS GROUP!

St Albans, Harpenden and Villages (DSPL 7) working in partnership with the 3 St Albans

and District Local Schools Partnerships

Venue: The Links ESC, 1 Hixberry Lane, St Albans AL4 0TZ

29th September 2015

20th October 2015

24th November 2015

26th January 2016

23rd February 2016

29th March 2016

24th May 2016

28th June 2016

19th July 2016

Do you have a brother or sister of any age with special needs? Are you aged between 7 and

11 years old? Would you like to come and join our Sibs group and have fun with others once

a month? Sibs group runs on the last Tuesday of every month (unless it’s school holidays!) All

the dates are below.

We have fabulous facilities, including a purpose built kitchen, design and technology room,

outdoor areas and sports facilities. The Links also have a beauty and hairdressing salon!

The group starts at 3.45pm and runs until 6pm and children can arrive at any time from

3.30pm, depending on where you are coming from and the end of your school day.

We have different activities every session, including sport, crafts, homework support and a

quiet reading area. We will also be asking you to manage the donations, surveying other

members and researching and purchasing new items!

We will also create dinner and eat together as a group.

Would you like to come and join us? You must book your place by calling the

St Albans West booking line on 07909 043946, leaving your child's name, your contact

details and the name of the school your child attends. Also the dates of the sessions

you would like to book.

We ask families to contribute £1 per week towards resources, but please do not feel that you

have to pay if you are unable to. This money will be the fund that the children manage and

use to purchase new equipment.

New website coming soon! www.stalbansdspl.org.uk

SIBS GROUP!

St Albans, Harpenden and Villages (DSPL 7) working in partnership with the 3 St Albans

and District Local Schools Partnerships

Venue: The Links ESC, 1 Hixberry Lane, St Albans AL4 0TZ

29th September 2015

20th October 2015

24th November 2015

26th January 2016

23rd February 2016

29th March 2016

24th May 2016

28th June 2016

19th July 2016

Do you have a brother or sister of any age with special needs? Are you aged between 7 and

11 years old? Would you like to come and join our Sibs group and have fun with others once

a month? Sibs group runs on the last Tuesday of every month (unless it’s school holidays!) All

the dates are below.

We have fabulous facilities, including a purpose built kitchen, design and technology room,

outdoor areas and sports facilities. The Links also have a beauty and hairdressing salon!

The group starts at 3.45pm and runs until 6pm and children can arrive at any time from

3.30pm, depending on where you are coming from and the end of your school day.

We have different activities every session, including sport, crafts, homework support and a

quiet reading area. We will also be asking you to manage the donations, surveying other

members and researching and purchasing new items!

We will also create dinner and eat together as a group.

Would you like to come and join us? You must book your place by calling the

St Albans West booking line on 07909 043946, leaving your child's name, your contact

details and the name of the school your child attends. Also the dates of the sessions

you would like to book.

We ask families to contribute £1 per week towards resources, but please do not feel that you

have to pay if you are unable to. This money will be the fund that the children manage and

use to purchase new equipment.

New website coming soon! www.stalbansdspl.org.uk

SIBS GROUP!

St Albans, Harpenden and Villages (DSPL 7) working in partnership with the 3 St Albans

and District Local Schools Partnerships

Venue: The Links ESC, 1 Hixberry Lane, St Albans AL4 0TZ

29th September 2015

20th October 2015

24th November 2015

26th January 2016

23rd February 2016

29th March 2016

24th May 2016

28th June 2016

19th July 2016

Do you have a brother or sister of any age with special needs? Are you aged between 7 and

11 years old? Would you like to come and join our Sibs group and have fun with others once

a month? Sibs group runs on the last Tuesday of every month (unless it’s school holidays!) All

the dates are below.

We have fabulous facilities, including a purpose built kitchen, design and technology room,

outdoor areas and sports facilities. The Links also have a beauty and hairdressing salon!

The group starts at 3.45pm and runs until 6pm and children can arrive at any time from

3.30pm, depending on where you are coming from and the end of your school day.

We have different activities every session, including sport, crafts, homework support and a

quiet reading area. We will also be asking you to manage the donations, surveying other

members and researching and purchasing new items!

We will also create dinner and eat together as a group.

Would you like to come and join us? You must book your place by calling the

St Albans West booking line on 07909 043946, leaving your child's name, your contact

details and the name of the school your child attends. Also the dates of the sessions

you would like to book.

We ask families to contribute £1 per week towards resources, but please do not feel that you

have to pay if you are unable to. This money will be the fund that the children manage and

use to purchase new equipment.

To find out more and to book a place please call Vista on 01727 855134 or 07939 111152 or

Email: vistastalbans@gmail.com

www.vistastalbans.org.uk

SPEECH &

LANGUAGE

SUPPORT GROUP

FOR PARENTS

DATE: Wednesday, 7th October 2015

TIME: 11.00am – 12.00 noon

FLEETVILLE JUNIOR SCHOOL, 228 HATFIELD ROAD, ST ALBANS AL1 4LW

For Parents with children/Young people with

Speech and Language difficulties

With

James Dickinson, Specialist Advisory Teacher

for Speech & Language

(Communications Disorders Team)

A chance to discover strategies to support

your child/ren with their

Speech & Language difficulties

The Theme will be:

Adult and Child Interaction

FREE of Charge

Being a parent can be challenging at times – we can offer individual support as well as a variety of information and guidance to services. Vista is committed to improving life chances for children and young people by supporting parents.

Picture

To find out more and to book a place please call Vista on 01727 855134 Ex 3 or Email: vistastalbans@gmail.com

www.vistastalbans.org.uk

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

(DROP-IN SESSION)

DATE: 8 October 2015

THURSDAY, 11.00am – 12.00pm

FLEETVILLE JUNIOR SCHOOL, 228 HATFIELD ROAD, AL1 4LW

For Parents with children/Young people with

Additional Needs

WITH SALLY GLOSSOP – AUTISM ADVISOR

A chance to find

solutions to

challenging behaviour

in your child with

Autism/ Aspergers/ ASD

FREE of Charge

Being a parent can be challenging at times – we can offer individual support as well as a variety of information and guidance to services. Vista is committed to improving life chances for children and young people by supporting parents.

St Albans East Schools Partnership

To find out more and to book a place please call Vista on 01727 855134 or Email: vistastalbans@gmail.com

www.vistastalbans.org.uk

SELF ESTEEM COURSE for

ADULTS (Anyone aged 16 years and

above)

Run by Sonia Clarke MBACP(Reg)

from Mind in Mid Herts DATES: Tuesdays, 6

th

October – 17th

November 2015 (excluding Half Term)

TIME: 7.30pm – 9.30pm

VENUE: Fleetville Junior School, 228 Hatfield Road, AL1 3RQ

An Inspiring Course for Young People and Adults

run by Sonia Clarke (Mind in Mid Herts)

£25.00 per person

Concessions available

We will explore:

Building your own self esteem

How does self esteem affect me?

Challenge negative predictions and looking for positive alternatives

Combating self criticism

Becoming more confident and plans for the future

Being a parent can be challenging at times – we can offer individual support as well as a variety of information and guidance to services. Vista is committed to improving life chances for children and young people by supporting parents.

St Albans East Schools Partnership