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Sexual Assault

Volume 402: debated on Tuesday 25 March 2003

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To ask the Secretary of State for Health what compulsory training school nurses undertake in (a) sexually transmitted infections and (b) sexual assault; and what training they undergo designed to ensure that a comprehensive advice and referral service is available to pupils. [101334]

While there is no compulsory additional training for school nurses specifically around sexually transmitted infections and sexual assault, as registered nurses they would be expected to have knowledge and understanding of these issues as well as details of local services should referral be appropriate. Standards for qualification as a specialist practitioner in school nursing specify that the practitioner should be able to:

Empower children, adolescents and their families to influence and use available services, information and skills to the full and act as advocate where appropriate.
Initiate the management of cases involving potential or actual physical or psychological abuse and potentially violent situations.