The Department of Health (DoH) is developing a new "vision" for school nursing, which is due to be published by the end of the year.
According to DoH drafts of the plans, school nurses will lead the Healthy Child Programme for all five- to 19-year-olds and manage support for children with complex needs, including advice and training for families, carers and school staff.
They will also be charged with providing early intervention for families with multiple needs, reducing obesity and drug and alcohol use and offering sexual health advice to young people, among a range of responsibilities.
Rosalind Godson, professional officer at the union Unite, which represents school nurses, said that a massive investment in the workforce is vital. She argued that every secondary school should employ one full-time school nurse, while caseloads should be capped at 1,200 children.
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