The youth health nurse works with the school community on issues that may affect the health and wellbeing of young people and the school community as a whole. This includes helping with curriculum, teaching and learning activities; providing health information and referral; supporting the development of an environment and school culture that supports health and wellbeing; and working with community and other services.
The youth health nurse works with young people, school staff and parents to:
promote health and wellbeing
create a supportive, healthy school environment
connect people with other support services.
The youth health nurse can provide health and wellbeing information about:
healthy eating and physical activity
feeling unhappy or stressed
relationships
healthy skin
sexual health
smoking, alcohol and other drugs
personal and family problems
growth and development.
Confidentiality
Young people have the right to confidentiality when accessing health services. As a health service provider, our youth health nurse respects this, but there are certain issues which the nurse must refer to other professionals or act upon to ensure the protection and health of the child. If you have any concerns, please discuss what can be expected about confidentiality with the youth health nurse. This will only take a small amount of time.
In most cases it is best for young people to talk to their parents about health and wellbeing issues. The youth health nurse can support young people to do this.
Getting the best help for your health
At times other services can provide more appropriate or further help or support for young people. The youth health nurse will discuss the options for working with other services or linking young people with the right services.
The youth health nurse does not provide:
treatment such as medications, injections, first-aid
physical examinations
ongoing counselling for psychological problems.
The youth health nurse is at the college 1 day per week—every Monday in room I106 (next to the canteen). Students are welcome to make an appointment with the youth health nurse for a time that suits them, simply by contacting the school office.