Scottish Government

Rationale

Criteria

Achieved

Action Plan

Mental health problems among children and young people are increasing. Statistics report that up to one in three boys and two in five girls experience some form of mental health problems. These levels rise during adolescence.

The Scottish Executive has commissioned the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme to provide a report on better ways to address mental health issues in children and young people and promote positive mental health and well-being.

• Health needs assessment and school profiling is used to identify the mental health and well being needs of the whole school community.

• There is a whole school approach to promoting mental health and well being, supported by joint multi-disciplinary training and reflecting the role of the school as a caring community.

• Nurses in schools work closely with school staff to ensure a consistent approach to supporting children.

• Nurses in schools are involved in supporting children with mental health needs at level 1 and, where appropriate, level 2 in the 4-tier framework for managing mental health services. They may also be involved in supporting children at level 3 and 4 as part of a tailored package of care under the direct supervision of specialist mental health services.

• Where the school nursing service is involved in supporting children with mental health problems, nurses have access to appropriate education and specialist support and supervision related to their role with individual children.

• School nursing teams work with school staff and other professionals to address personal safety, self esteem and confidence building, bullying, mental health and well being.

• Links with CAMHS teams, CPNs, clinical and educational psychologists and the acute mental health services enable nurses in schools to identify and address mental health issues, particularly with vulnerable groups of children.

• Appropriate training, support and supervision is made available to all nurses who are dealing with mental health issues.