This presentation outlines the role of school nurses in identifying and referring vulnerable pupils who may need further support.

1. The Role of the School Nurse in
Identifying and Referring Vulnerable
Pupils
Maggie Clarke
Senior Nurse-Professional Lead School
Nursing Leicestershire Partnership NHS
Trust. margaret.clarke2@leicspart.nhs.uk

2. Drug or Alcohol Use
By a Young Person
Referrals May be received from
 Schools
 GP’s
 Parents
 Peers
 Self Referral
 Discharge information from A&E
 The School Nurse Text Messaging Service.

3. REFERRALS
• Might include
• Use of illegal drugs
• Use of “legal highs” (novel psychoactive
substances)
• Use of alcohol
• Use of volatile substances (gases, glues and
solvents)
• Use of “energy” caffeinated drinks
• Use of anabolic steroids or other performance
and image enhancing drugs

4. Drug and Alcohol
Care Pathway
 Designed in Partnership with New Directions
 Effective multi agency working
 School Nurses Supported by the Trust to carry
out harm reduction work
 School Nurses Visible, Accessible and Trusted
by Young People

5. Drug and Alcohol
Care Pathway

6. Drug and Alcohol
Care Pathway
WHY HAVE A PATHWAY?
 To encourage consistent identification of
young people with drug and alcohol issues in
schools.
 Clear guidance and support for School Nurses
 To encourage use of specialist services as a
resource for School Nurses.
 To encourage referral to specialist services for
young people requiring support.

7. NURSING
ASSESSMENT
 Carried out by School Nurses who have received
additional training.
 Intervention guided by young persons wishes and
the Nurses assessment of the risk they are
exposed to.
 Brief intervention guided by RCGP/RCPsych
guidance.

8. NURSING
ASSESSMENT
 Drink and Drug use Diary
 Drinking/Drug Emotions
 School Nurses can link to other School Nurse
Pathways i.e. Sexual Health Care Pathway,
Emotional Health and Wellbeing Care Pathway

9. NURSING
ASSESSMENT
 Support available from specialist services.
 Resources and/or Co delivery.
 School Nurse intervention time limited to 3 or
4 sessions then referral to specialist services if
continued support required.

10. IDENTIFYING
IMMEDIATE
RISK
May be multiple factors
 Vulnerability
 Vulnerable groups, circumstances, situations
 Additional Risk Factors

11. NEXT STEPS
 Link the pathway to other services
 New Direction to use Text Messaging service
and electronic record keeping