More NSW children will have access to important wellbeing support at school as a result of the NSW Government committing $60 million over 4 years to continue the successful Wellbeing and Health In-reach Nurse (WHIN) Coordinator program.
Since the program started in 2018, more than 10,000 students have been supported by wellbeing nurses.
Around 100 wellbeing nurses are spread across metro, rural and regional areas of NSW working in about 400 public schools, potentially giving 150,000 students access to their important service.
The WHIN Coordinator program is a joint initiative of NSW Health and the NSW Department of Education, and establishes wellbeing nurses in public primary and secondary schools to coordinate appropriate early intervention, assessments and referral to health and social services.
This is just part of the NSW Labor Government’s commitment to improving student and teacher wellbeing in schools, which includes a commitment to increase the number of counsellors in schools, ensuring an additional 250 counsellors are recruited.
Quotes attributable to NSW Premier Chris Minns:
“Wellbeing nurses are providing important care and support by connecting students and their families to health and community services.
“This has a positive flow on effect by delivering improved health outcomes and better education engagement for students across NSW, and I am pleased to announce this service will continue for another 4 years under the NSW Labor Government.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car:
“I am delighted to see this successful program will continue, providing students in around 400 public schools with ongoing access to support through a wellbeing nurse.
“This program facilitates connections for our students and families to access high quality wellbeing support with local health care services.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“These wellbeing nurses play a vital role in our schools, helping students and their families to access mental health support and high quality, compassionate healthcare.
“We know wellbeing nurses are effective in assisting students and their families to access care for health and wellbeing needs they otherwise would not receive, so I’m proud thousands of children and young people across NSW will continue to benefit from this important service.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart:
“I’m really pleased the NSW Government is continuing our investment into this incredibly successful wellbeing program.
“Giving students the support they need directly within schools to connect with local health services is better for them, their families and our health system overall.”
