Case studies

The challenge of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions have led to an innovative approach to children’s mental health from school nurses in Northamptonshire.

Kirklees is a local authority with a large number of children who we support who live with connected carers under a Special Guardian Order (SGO) and our numbers are increasing.

Over the last six months these teams have come up with new ways of supporting families during a pandemic. These case studies highlight the vital role that health visiting and school nurse services play in identifying problems early and giving children the best start in life.

The 2015 Care Act and 2014 Children and Families Act gave young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities more rights to support and for longer. Whilst being a much needed and well received pieces of progressive legislation, they presented severe problems in a system primarily driven by resource limitations.

Maldon District Council worked on a prototype project to understand the support requirements for school children transitioning from year 6 to year 7. The aim of the project was to identify children who may be going under the radar with unaddressed mental health concerns and would require support in transitioning from primary to secondary school.

To raise awareness about child poverty, Cheltenham Borough Council coordinated a year of action together with local charities and businesses.

The council’s personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education service, which is funded by public health, has produced a detailed timetable setting out what schools need to do and what they can expect from the PSHE service. This case study is an example of the many pro-active and positive approaches which local authorities are taking to support inclusive relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE).

A relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) working group was established in late 2017. It has been meeting termly, providing a forum for information sharing, discussion and advice on the support to schools to get ready for the changes. This case study is an example of the many pro-active and positive approaches which local authorities are taking to support inclusive RSE.

With the introduction of statutory relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) on the horizon, the council decided to organise a series of one-day events. This case study is an example of the many pro-active and positive approaches which local authorities are taking to support inclusive RSE.

The council set up an online relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) portal to provide resources and quality assured information to teachers and parents. This case study is an example of the many pro-active and positive approaches which local authorities are taking to support inclusive RSE.