Scottish Government

Rationale

Criteria

Achieved

Action Plan

Learning Together (1999) requires that all NHS Scotland staff have access to appropriate education and CPD in order to effectively fulfil their role.

In the light of rapidly evolving expectations and requirements for the school nursing service, adequate attention needs to be given to ensuring that nurses are equipped with the necessary skills and continue to develop those skills as the service develops.

• Nurses are adequately prepared for the roles they are expected to fulfil, in line with the NHS Education for Scotland competency framework for nursing in schools.

• Nurses with existing school nurse qualifications at certificate, and diploma level qualifications are enabled, where appropriate in line with the needs of the service, to work towards the acquisition of public health nurse competencies.

• Trusts and LHCCs work with higher education establishments, schools and Education Authorities to ensure that programmes of professional development are in place to meet the service needs.

• School nursing teams take part in joint training with education staff and other key partners to achieve shared understanding of roles and promote partnership working.

• Trusts and LHCCs work with higher education providers to ensure that clinical placements working with school aged children are varied, relevant and effectively meet the educational needs of nursing students.

• The competency framework is used as a basis for initial preparation and ongoing development of all members of the team ensuring that expertise and skills reflect the needs of the service.

• Nurses' individual personal development plans reflect the needs of the service, as set out in local health plans, LHCC plans, children's services plans and school health plans.

• A variety of development opportunities are made available in response to need including, for example, job shadowing, journal groups, research awareness groups, networking and visits to other areas/colleagues.

• Opportunities are sought to develop multi-disciplinary and multi-agency learning where appropriate.

• Nurses working in schools have access to regular clinical supervision and structured peer support.