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A scottish framework for nursing in schools
using the framework
The purpose of the framework is to achieve consistent standards across the school nursing service alongside the roll out of the New Community School concept, ensuring that nurses are equipped and supported to play their role effectively.
The framework provides the basis for delivery of a school nursing service within the state education sector, covering children from 5-18. It does not apply directly to the independent sector, although the standards may be equally applicable.
The main body of the framework consists of 26 standards. The standards are broken down into 3 broad areas: Service Organisation and Management, Service Delivery and Service Components. Each standard consists of a statement, a rationale underpinning the statement and a number of criteria that describe the detail of what should be provided.
Two further columns are provided to support a self-assessment of whether the criteria is achieved fully, partly or not at all and an outline of proposed actions.
Presentation
The framework is intended to be a working document and is presented in a wiro bind format to allow easy photocopying of pages for use in self-assessment and action planning.
Successfully implementing the Framework will require actions by individual nurses, nurse managers, LHCCs, school health services, schools, Child Health Commissioners. NHS Boards, Education Authorities and many others.
The Framework is intended to be used to support self-assessment, and action planning at a variety of levels from individuals through to NHS Board/Education Authority level.
Timescales for Implementation
The framework should be implemented alongside the roll out of New Community Schools. The precise details of timing will therefore need to be agreed between Education Authorities and NHS Boards alongside plans for the roll out of New Community Schools, with complete implementation by 2007.
Each NHS Board will be asked to complete a self assessment and action plan by March 2004. Monitoring progress against action plans will then form part of the performance assessment framework from 2004/2005.
Further Developments
In addition to implementing the Framework at a local level, three pieces of work will be taken forward at National level.
Competency Framework for the School Nursing Service
NHS Education for Scotland will develop a competency framework which will clarify the competencies required for practice at a variety of levels from support posts through to public health nurses.
Health Profiling and Planning Framework
The newly established NHS Health Scotland will be asked to develop a common framework for school health profiles drawing upon existing information supplemented by local knowledge.
School Nursing Network
The Nursing and Midwifery Practice Development Unit will develop a network for School Nursing to support the sharing of best practice.
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