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Background

The Wellbeing and Health In-reach Nurse (WHIN) Coordinator program is a partnership between NSW Health and the NSW Department of Education. The program locates a wellbeing nurse to work in selected NSW public primary and high schools to identify health and social concerns for vulnerable school students and their families and facilitate their access to health care. The aim of the program is to contribute to improved education, health, and wellbeing outcomes of children, young people and families.

The links between health and education are well established [1]. Healthy children are better learners and higher educational achievement is a critical factor in better health outcomes over a lifetime [2],[3]. There is compelling evidence that school-based nurses with a care navigation and care coordination role are valuable for early intervention and accessing timely care for school students with health and wellbeing risk factors [4]. There is greater capacity for understanding students’ needs and mobilising targeted care when nurses are an integral part of the school and function as a central point of contact and coordination of health care for students [4].

The first WHIN Coordinator program sites were established in 2018 in Young, Tumut and Cooma and extended to a further three sites in Deniliquin, Murwillumbah and Lithgow. The program sites in Young, Tumut and Cooma participated in an independent formative evaluation that was completed in December 2020. The evaluation found the wellbeing nurses were contributing to improved health and education outcomes for students. The wellbeing nurses were integrated into school wellbeing systems, and students and family members were supported and connected to health and wellbeing services. Recommendations for improving implementation of the program included:

  • improving program governance at state, site and school level
  • enhancing integration of the wellbeing nurse in the school environments
  • refining the service delivery model
  • developing a monitoring and reporting framework for quantitative evidence of the wellbeing nurse’s impact on education and health outcomes.

Following this pilot, the NSW Government committed a further $46.8 million in the 2020/21 budget until the end of June 2024 to provide 100 additional wellbeing nurse positions in regional and metropolitan NSW over four years. The findings and recommendations from the formative evaluation of the three sites were used to guide the establishment of the additional sites.

In 2024, the NSW Government confirmed ongoing funding for 106 wellbeing nurse positions to provide a service to approximately 400 selected primary and secondary schools.

Wellbeing nurses

Wellbeing nurses are registered nurses with high-level specialist skills associated with child and family health, youth health and/or psychosocial support. They provide a leadership role in supporting health care coordination and navigation for students and their families.

Wellbeing nurses are employed by NSW Health local health districts and by Albury Wodonga Health to work across selected schools in NSW. The selection of schools is determined by student, family and community need, and is based on evidence and local knowledge. Factors considered in the selection of the schools include community social disadvantage, child and family vulnerability, health and mental health risk factors, educational outcomes, bushfire and drought affected communities, remote communities, number of student enrolments and geographic distance between schools (Appendix 1).

Wellbeing nurses work closely with the school’s learning and support and wellbeing teams. They also work closely with local health and community services to support students and their family members on a wide range of health and wellbeing issues. Issues may include mental health, social and behavioural support, physical health, and peer or family relationships.

Purpose of the Guideline

The Guideline describes:

  • the roles and responsibilities of Health and Education staff
  • the WHIN Coordinator program Model of Care
  • the WHIN Coordinator program governance.

The WHIN Coordinator Program Guideline is for:

  • wellbeing nurses
  • managers of wellbeing nurses
  • school principals, school learning and support and wellbeing teams, and school counselling services
  • Directors, Educational Leadership
  • NSW Department of Education, education support staff including Networked Specialist Facilitators, Learning and Wellbeing Coordinators.

This Guideline underpins strong relationships and collaborative practices between the wellbeing nurse, school-based staff and staff that support students and their family members.

References

  1. WHO. Health Promoting Schools: A framework for action. World Health Organisation, 2006.
  2. Basch, C. E. Healthier Students Are Better Learners: A Missing Link in School Reforms to Close the Achievement Gap. Journal of School Health. 2011; 81(10): 593-598.
  3. Feinstein L, Sabates R, Anderson T M, Sorhaindo A, Hammond C. What are the effects of education on health? OECD, 2006. Retrieved from OECD Website
  4. Moore G, Du Toit A, Thompson S, Hutchinson J, Wiryoatmodjo A, Prakash Sivaprakash P, Gordon R. The effectiveness of school-located nurse models on student health, education and wellbeing: a Rapid Evidence Summary prepared by the Sax Institute for the NSW Ministry of Health, 2021
  5. Urbis. Wellbeing And Health In-reach Nurse (WHIN) Coordinator Model Pilot Evaluation. Final Report. Prepared for the NSW Ministry of Health
Current as at: Thursday 25 July 2024