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School Public Health Service

Across Kent, we commission the Kent Community Health (NHS) Foundation Trust to deliver the:

  • School Public Health Service (primary and secondary)
  • Children and Young People’s Counselling Service.

These services support children and young people in Kent both attending and not attending school. They lead and deliver key parts of the Healthy Child Programme. This includes the National Childhood Measurement Programme.

Working with schools, parents, and young people, they also deliver:

  • early intervention
  • optimise the health and wellbeing of those aged 5 to 18 years old.

School health teams

The school health teams work hard to improve the general health and wellbeing of children, young people, and their families. They do this to help children get the best start in life. They work in a variety of settings such as schools and Family Hubs across Kent.

School nurses

School nurses are qualified nurses with specialist training in public health. They lead the teams and are supported by:

  • school staff nurses
  • assistant practitioners
  • public health assistants
  • administration teams.

They also work closely in schools (mainstream and special) and outreach services with:

  • health visitors
  • community paediatricians
  • schools
  • other local community services.

They give advice and support for a variety of health issues. As well any referrals to specialist services when needed. Support can include:

  • daytime and night time wetting and soiling
  • behaviour management
  • healthy eating and lifestyle
  • emotional health and wellbeing
  • puberty and growing up
  • sexual health
  • stopping smoking
  • drug and alcohol misuse
  • sleep
  • complex health needs.

Contact the service

Visit the school health website for more information.

Parents, carers, schools and children and young people can contact the service by: