What does this service provide?

Who we are 

We are school nurses (also known as specialist community public health nurses) who provide a service for children, young people, and families, offering health and development reviews with additional support when needed. 

Our school nursing teams include staff nurses, assistant practitioners, community nursery nurses, and school health assistants. 

What we do 

The Healthy Child Programme entitles children and families to routine health and development reviews, and once your child is of school age, the school nursing team will offer these. They include: 

  • school screening for hearing and vision - reception (West Sussex and Brighton and Hove) 
  • child measurement programme for height and weight - reception and Year 6  
  • health questionnaires in school – reception and Year 7 (Brighton and Hove)  

All young people and parents or carers have access to our confidential anonymous texting service, which is known as ChatHealth or Parentline. For contact details, please see ‘who to contact for more information.’  

We also offer additional support when needed or will signpost you to the best help for you and your family.   

How can I access this service?

You will be contacted for routine health and development reviews. 

If you are a professional wanting to refer a child or young person to a West Sussex school nurse team, please use this form which contains criteria for referral and details of how to submit. 

Download the West Sussex school nurse referral form

If you are a professional wanting to refer a child or young person to a Brighton and Hove school nurse team, please use this form which contains criteria for referral and details of how to submit. 

Download the Brighton and Hove school nurse referral form

Where can I access this service?

Brighton and Hove
ChatHealth Brighton and Hove
Telephone: Text: 07480 635 423

This is for young people, and for the parents or carers of children and young people age 5–19 years old. You can text us at any time and we will return your call within 24 hours, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm, except for bank holidays and weekends. 

Brighton and Hove School Nurse Team duty telephone
Telephone: 01273 696 011, extension 1692
Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm.

West Sussex
ChatHealth West Sussex
Telephone: Text: 07480 635 424

This is for young people aged 5–19. You can text us at any time and we will return your call within 24 

Parentline West Sussex
Telephone: Text: 07312 277 011

This for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5–19 years old. You can text us at any time and we will return your call within 24 hours, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm, except for bank holidays and weekends.

West Sussex school nurse team duty telephone
Telephone: 0300 303 1137
Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm.

Where can I find resources for this service?

All children and families have access to our free websites and leaflets:  

  • Health for Under 5s – website put together by trusted NHS professionals offering advice from birth to the age of 5 
  • Health for Kids – website offering health advice to help your children grow and flourish 
  • Health for Teens – website offering bite-sized information on a comprehensive range of physical and emotional health topics for teenagers, including healthy eating, body image, managing stress, advice on relationships, puberty, sexuality and much more.  

Let's get social

You can also get involved by engaging with our service's social media accounts by helping with the latest fundraisers and events.

Get the best from your NHS

If you need advice about our services, facilities or staff, or would like to make a comment, please contact Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS).

Contact details

You can contact PALS by the following:

Telephone: 01273 242 292

Give feedback

Tell us what you think about our services, what we are good at, where we can improve, and what matters to you? All feedback will be shared anonymously wherever possible, but if you have any questions about this, please ask.

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