Student health and wellbeing
Direction and guidance for schools on implementing strategies, practices and systems to support all students’ health and wellbeing needs. This policy supports schools to provide an environment in which the health and wellbeing of students is promoted and nurtured.
Audience
All NSW public schools, including preschools.
| Version | Date | Description of changes | Approved by |
|---|---|---|---|
| V02.0.0 | 21/06/2024 |
Under the 2023 Policy and procedure review program, this policy is consolidated with Nutrition in schools, School uniform, Student counselling records and psychological tests, Student welfare and the Sport and physical activity policies. Policy name changed from Student health in NSW Public Schools: A summary and consolidation, converted into new template and improved readability. |
Executive Director, Inclusion and Wellbeing Executive Director, Student Support and Specialist Programs |
Document history
2024 Feb 06 - updated amendments to recognise health support responsibilities being voluntary to align with the SASS agreement along with amending the text health care procedures to health support in the policy statement and the implementation document, Anaphylaxis and allergy procedures for schools.
2022 Aug 11 - updated links in policy statement.
2022 Mar 31 - updated contact details in policy statement.
Implementation document - Anaphylaxis and allergy procedures for schools - added to the Policy Library (previously available on the Anaphylaxis section of the Student Wellbeing intranet page).
Updated implementation document to align with the National Allergy Strategy Best Practice Guidelines (released in October 2021). Streamlined the document to provide clearer guidance and included the reintroduction of the Anapen adrenaline autoinjector in addition to the EpiPen (which remains the general use adrenaline autoinjector for department schools and preschools).
School-based staff will need to familiarise themselves with the updated procedures and undertake the mandatory training for using the Anapen adrenaline autoinjector.
Added link - Anaphylaxis information for schools - to related documents (previously an implementation document).
2022 Mar 02 - updated links at 4.1.2 and 4.1.9 in the policy statement.
2021 May 10 - updated policy statement and implementation document - links and headings. Removed implementation document: The role of the school community in supporting student health.
2021 Feb - updated policy statement - updated contact details.
Updated administration of medications at school training module. Updated contact details.
This policy replaces various policies listed in superseded documents.
Superseded documents
Administration of Prescribed Medications Health Care Procedures in Schools 95/085 (S.083)
Administration of Prescribed Medications and Health Care Procedures in Schools 96/031 (S.030)
Adolescent School Based Vaccination Programs DN/05/0002457
AIDS Information for Teachers in the Primary School 90.023 (S.015)
An Important Health Message for Parents: Protection Against Infectious Diseases 88/341
Asthma 90/098 (S.076)
Asthma Update 99/375 (S.280)
Children Who Are Allergic to Bee Sting 80/065
Diabetic Children in Schools 81/193
Dispensing of Medication 89/206 (S.133) 24/7/89
Enclosed Booklet The AIDS Manual 90/046 (S.033)
Facilities for School Screening by the Department of Health 91/135 (S.087)
General Communicable Diseases: Revised Schedule for Exclusion of Students from School and Pre-School 90/013 (S.009), 90/062 (S.049)(amendment)
General Hygiene and Communicable Diseases including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) 89/038 (S.027)
HIV/AIDS Education in Primary Schools 91/162 (S.103)
HIV and AIDS Education in Primary Schools
Immunisation: Children Entering Kindergarten 88/341 (S.190)
Immunise Australia Program 99/088 (S.062)
Meningococcal Disease 97/286 (S.259)
Meningococcal Disease DN/02/00285 including attachments
National Meningococcal C Vaccination Program DN/03/00293 including attachment signed by Dr Denise Robinson, A/Chief Health Officer 17 July 2003
Notification to Parents Concerning Cases of Meningococcal Disease DN/02/00257
NSW Adolescent Vaccination Program 2004 DN/04/00137
NSW Immunisation Documentation Requirements DN/04/00351
Pediculosis in School Children 83/12 (S.129)
Physical as Anything: Collaborative Support for Students with Physical Disabilities and Medical Conditions DG 96.1348 (superseded by Second Edition)
Protection from the Sun. Guidelines to assist in implementing the student health policy
Prescribed Medicines Enrolment of Children with Continuing Need; Administering to Students 86-158 (S.570)
Public Health (Amendment) Act 1992 93/016 (S.013) Education Gazette No 5 21.4.93
Reminder of Guidelines for Supporting Students in Hot Weather DN/04/00438
Scoliosis Awareness Program 96/120 (S.114)
Student Health: Administration of Prescribed Medications in Schools 95/078 (S.076)
School Students: Spinal Problems 85 281 (S.443)
Student Welfare: Protection from the Sun 85-156 (S.013)
Teachers Handbook Part 3 3.2.17 Misuse of Drugs or Medicines
The AIDS Manual 90/046 (S.033)
Update: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) DN/03/00188
Use of Analgesic Substances in Schools HO Circular 78/79
- Policy statement
- All students are entitled to participate in education regardless of their health and wellbeing support needs.
- Schools support all aspects of student health and wellbeing.
- Schools recognise physical activity is essential for the overall wellbeing of students.
- Schools are required to support students on health and wellbeing issues in a way that does not discriminate unlawfully against any student.
- Schools are required to implement practices related to student health that comply with the Work health and safety policy and duty of care, to take reasonable steps to protect from foreseeable risk of harm when at school or involved in school activities.
- Schools seek the cooperation of students, parents and carers, medical practitioners, health services, other relevant agencies and local community resources to support students to develop independence in managing their own health and wellbeing.
- Context
- The department is committed to meeting its obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the Civil Liability Act 2002 and the Common law duty of care (refer to Health support and emergency care in schools), to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable risk of harm and keep students safe while they are at school.
- This policy reflects requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Standards for Education 2005.
- The department seeks to provide opportunities for students to learn about and practise ways to adopt and maintain a healthy, productive and active life through curriculum and pedagogy and the Wellbeing framework for schools.
- On specific issues related to student health and on public health priorities, the department is guided by advice from the NSW Ministry of Health.
- The following procedures support this policy:
- Administration of medication
- Anaphylaxis and allergy management
- Health support planning and student safety
- Healthy eating
- Sport and physical activity
- Student counselling records and psychological tests
- Suicide postvention
- Uniforms at school
- Policy contacts
- Leader, Student Health and Safety, Inclusion and Wellbeing
student.health@det.nsw.edu.au
Leader, School Sport Unit, Arts, Sport and Initiatives
sportandphysicalactivity@det.nsw.edu.au
02 9508 5500
- Leader, Student Health and Safety, Inclusion and Wellbeing
- Monitoring the policy
- The Executive Director, Inclusion and Wellbeing and the Executive Director, Student Support and Specialist Programs monitor the implementation of this policy, regularly review its contents to ensure relevance and accuracy, and update it as needed.