Extending the mental health expertise of school nurses: Evaluating a training programme

Abstract

This paper reports an evaluation of a training programme to enhance the skills and confidence of school nurses in addressing mental health and emotional wellbeing issues among school children. The training was offered to school nurses and nursery nurses in one school health service in London. The evaluation drew on face-to-face semi-structured interviews with, and online contributions from, school health staff members. There was evidence of considerable satisfaction with training; of attitude change; of increased confidence, knowledge and skills in addressing mental health issues; and of changes in practice. The evaluation illustrates how, in a favourable context where staff feel respected and supported, well-designed training programmes can deliver changes in practice.