Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114903

John Harvey, FFPHM (UK), Institute of Public Health and Primary Care, London South Bank University, St George's Hospital, Suttons Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 6RS, United Kingdom, 44 1708 465123, john.harvey@haveringpct.nhs.uk

Change for children

The UK Government has introduced a major development in regard to services for children and young people through an Act of Parliament in November 2004. Signalled by a policy paper entitled Every Child Matters, this radical initiative presents a huge opportunity to bring together public health and schools. The changes planned under this initiative are aimed at five outcomes, articulated by young people: be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution, and achieve economic well-being.

This paper describes the main policy objectives in respect of health and schools. Key to this are the concept of extended schools, and the role change for school nurse to become a specialist community public health nurse. The evidence base for these proposals will be evaluated. Secondly the impact of these changes is assessed in the context of a London Borough, Havering. London as a whole has high levels of child poverty and inequality – 38% of London's children are living in poverty compared with the national average of 29%. Havering has some of the best schools in the city, measured on educational achievement. A successful consortium project in a disadvantaged area provides a model of good practice. Thirdly the proposed outcome indicators for the policy, which include health and educational markers, will be presented with baseline data. These range from teenage pregnancy rates to rates of bullying. The relevance of the chosen indicators will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• identify the underlying concepts in the UK policy “Change for Children”;
• assess the evidence base for the policy change
• evaluate the relevance of the proposed outcome indicators

Keywords: School Health, Public Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation