• have you discussed the concern with your link school nurse? Was the outcome to refer into the service? Have you completed any actions recommended by the school nurse?
• have you considered any identified risks, for example child-to-parent violence, sibling violence or self-harm? Please include details of any safeguarding actions already taken
• are you using the referral form found on our website? Using an older version may result in the referral being rejected
• have you completed all relevant sections of the referral form? Missing information will delay processing
• are the concerns clear from the information provided? Remember that you know the child and their history. Include relevant background information and specific examples or observations
• have you shared the referral information with the parents or carers? There are occasions when families disagree with information provided in a referral
• what areas of the child's life are being affected? Is this primarily a health need, or would other support be more appropriate, for example parenting support, behaviour strategies or play therapy?

Where can I find the Referral Form – Professional?

The most up-to-date referral form is available on the School Nursing webpage:

Medway School Nursing Service - Kent familyCan parents use the Referral Form – Parent?

The Referral Form – Parent is shorter and has been designed for parents and carers to self-refer.

We value the information schools provide. Your observations and knowledge of the child help us ensure that the most appropriate support is offered. If a parent self-refers, the school nursing service may need to contact the school for additional information. This can delay the referral process and may affect how quickly support can be provided.

If concerns have been identified by the school, referrals should normally be submitted by the school. We recognise that parents and schools may sometimes have different views about a child's needs. For this reason, parents and carers can also submit their own referral using the online form:

Medway School Nursing Service