School nursing practice in the Western Isles is being overhauled to place renewed emphasis on prevention.

The step change means refocusing school nurses' role on prevention, early intervention and support for the most vulnerable children and young people aged 5-19.

The key objective is to deliver safe, effective, person-centred care that aligns with the Getting It Right for Every Child framework.

School nurses will now prioritise emotional health, substance misuse, child protection and domestic abuse.

Also prioritised are looked-after children, homelessness, youth justice, young carers, transitions, and sexual health.

The rationale is that improved liaison, information sharing and targeted interventions could achieve significantly better outcomes for children and young people.

Emphasis is also placed on partnership working with parents/carers, extended family, GPs and other health professions, education, criminal justice and social work sectors, and third sector organisations.

The isles school nurse team will also administer immunisations, assess continence issues, deliver interventions, and coordinate with universal services such as Primary 1 health checks.

The school nursing staff are registered nurses with additional qualifications in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Schools). They also work with Community Nursing staff.