7 October 2009
NHSG/150/09
Moray pilot for Health and Wellbeing in Schools project
Moray is one of four areas in Scotland testing out a programme called Health and Wellbeing in Schools, to help local youngsters become healthier, increase healthcare capacity in schools and reduce health inequalities.
The Moray project, involving NHS Grampian and Moray Council, will be highlighted with a leaflet being given to every school child, starting this week.
This follows consultation with a wide range of organisations and individuals to identify the health needs of the children and young people in the county. Moray is the largest of the four 'demonstration sites', with 54 schools - primary and secondary.
"This project is about harnessing the good work and skills we already have, building on them and developing new initiatives and ways of working to help our children and young people achieve and maintaining a healthier way of life, which in turn can contribute to successful learning, confidence and a strong foundation for later life," says Liz Gray, Project Officer, based at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin.
The project puts the emphasis on prevention of ill health, through promoting physical and mental wellbeing. This will be enabled through bringing services together to work better together; by training staff; and introducing a new role of support worker to assist qualified staff deliver services through the year, both in and out of school. Consultation showed that health challenges in Moray are similar for youngsters across Scotland - drug and alcohol misuse, mental health, and support for special needs especially at times of transition such as changing class or school, and starting work.
The Moray Team Model has three components:
- redesigning the school nursing service into local children's public health teams involving and supporting the important role of the school nurse to allow them to focus on the most vulnerable children
- developing a therapy transition team
- and a healthy minds team developing the role of associate clinical psychologists who will support and deliver training to health and education staff to help them manage youngsters? emotional issues earlier and more effectively.
This model involves the creation of 12 new posts, funded by the Scottish Government.
The Project will be fully evaluated to support the final report and recommendations for roll-out across Scotland.
ENDS
The Health and Wellbeing in Schools project is a joint venture with the Scottish Government, NHS Grampian and Moray Council.
The Scottish Government commissioned the two year £2.5 million Health and Wellbeing in Schools project to increase healthcare capacity in schools.
Moray is one of four 'Demonstration Sites', the others are South Ayrshire Belmont Cluster in NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Clackmannanshire in NHS Forth Valley, and West Lothian Armadale Cluster, in NHS Lothian.