{"title":"School nurses' role in detecting child criminal exploitation and in early safeguarding.","authors":"Kelly Marie Geddes","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1577","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1577","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Unlike many other safeguarding concerns, child criminal exploitation frequently occurs outside the family home, and can therefore be challenging for professionals such as nurses, social workers, police and teachers to identify. Through their regular contact with children and young people, school nurses are well placed to identify early indicators of criminal exploitation. The author undertook a narrative literature review to examine how the knowledge and practice of professionals influence the identification of child criminal exploitation, with a focus on the role of school nurses in detection and safeguarding. While school nurses are well placed to help prevent child criminal exploitation and promote welfare-focused responses, their effectiveness in doing so is limited by a lack of specialist education, professional autonomy and recognition of their role within the multiple agencies involved in child protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":"10-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147628631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clinical management of acute post-operative bladder spasm in children and young people.","authors":"Rebecca Saul, Kuan Ooi","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1568","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1568","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acute post-operative bladder spasm (APBS) is a painful and distressing condition that commonly occurs in children and young people following urological surgery. Healthcare professionals caring for these patients should anticipate the occurrence of APBS after certain urological surgical procedures and understand how pain caused by APBS differs from general post-surgical pain. This article outlines the incidence, symptoms and pathophysiology of APBS and highlights the importance of a multimodal management strategy involving a range of non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures and interventions. By enhancing their understanding of APBS and its clinical management, children's nurses can alleviate pain and support post-operative recovery for children and young people as well as reduce distress for children and young people and their families.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":"34-41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146046942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Experiences of parents of autistic children and young people in accessing healthcare: a literature review.","authors":"Jessica Pidcock, Amy Dallison, Naheeda Rehman","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1579","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1579","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Autistic children and young people may be more likely than their peers to access healthcare services, but little is known about their experiences of healthcare as the literature tends to focus on the experiences of autistic adults and the views of healthcare professionals. The literature review detailed in this article aimed to gather evidence on the experiences of autistic children or young people and their parents in accessing healthcare services. Following a database search and screening, seven articles were selected for review. None of the studies captured children's experiences but the findings offer some insight into parents' views. Four main themes emerged from the data analysis: importance of the healthcare professional; relationship between families and staff; impact on parents; and healthcare services and environment. These themes encompass the need for: effective relationships between staff and parents to ensure the provision of family-centred care; further education among professionals in caring for autistic children and young people to enhance their experiences of healthcare; and greater flexibility in healthcare services to accommodate the needs of autistic children and young people and their families.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":"18-24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147500141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marcus Wootton, Jonathon Foster, Moh Moh Lwin, San San Oo, Koshesai Fundira, Ben Simms, Jim Brockbank
{"title":"Caring for children in conflict: virtual nursing resources during the 2021 Myanmar coup and ensuing civil war.","authors":"Marcus Wootton, Jonathon Foster, Moh Moh Lwin, San San Oo, Koshesai Fundira, Ben Simms, Jim Brockbank","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1576","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1576","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>On 1 February 2021, the military took control of Myanmar (formerly Burma) in a coup d'état, which had a devastating effect on Myanmar's healthcare workers, healthcare system and care of children. Within hours of the coup, healthcare workers reached out for support to the UK clinicians they had worked with for the preceding decade. This article details the virtual support and learning package, developed by the UK health community and the Myanmar diaspora, offered to nurses and other healthcare workers in the two years after the military coup and subsequent civil war. The package, which was developed in consultation with nurses and doctors in Myanmar, had a particular focus on child health and comprised a clinical guidance website, clinical skills videos and a nurse education programme. The authors present the results of an evaluation of usage of the virtual package, discuss the challenges of delivering virtual support in conflict settings and outline key learning points and their transferability to other conflict settings and emergencies.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":"26-33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147379171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluation of interdisciplinary child exploitation training for children's nursing students.","authors":"Ioanna Mlundira, Sarah Bekaert","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1594","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1594","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Child exploitation is a significant safeguarding concern and nurses have a crucial role in recognising and responding to it. Therefore, it is essential that children's nursing students are equipped with the knowledge, confidence and preparedness to recognise and act on safeguarding concerns.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To evaluate the effectiveness of a police-led child exploitation awareness training session in enhancing children's nursing students' knowledge, confidence and application of safeguarding principles in practice.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A mixed-methods study design was used. Second-year children's nursing students ( n =35) attended a three-hour police-led child exploitation awareness training session. Quantitative data were collected via a pre-training ( n =35) and post-training ( n =30) questionnaire and analysed to assess changes in three domains: knowledge and confidence; attitudes and beliefs; and willingness to act. Qualitative data were collected through follow-up forms that explored participants' ( n =8) reflections on application of their learning in their practice placements and analysed using content analysis.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Significant improvements were identified across all three domains, with the greatest increases in participants' confidence and escalation of concerns. Qualitative findings indicated that the participants developed enhanced professional curiosity and increased willingness to act in safeguarding situations, suggesting the effective translation of learning into practice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Practice-oriented, interdisciplinary safeguarding education can improve children's nursing students' knowledge, confidence and behavioural readiness. Such interventions may enhance nurses' ability to recognise and respond to instances of child exploitation, thereby strengthening safeguarding practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148809231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Healthcare professionals' knowledge and experiences of identifying and supporting young carers: a literature review.","authors":"Hannah Steel, Ellie-May Taylor","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1588","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1588","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Young people who have caring responsibilities, usually for a family member, can experience a range of adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Healthcare professionals have a crucial role in providing these individuals with support, however there is inadequate recognition and identification of young carers who access healthcare services. This systematic literature review aimed to explore the experiences of healthcare professionals in identifying and supporting young carers. Seven studies were selected for review. Thematic analysis generated four themes: knowledge and perceptions of young carers; the challenge of identification; individual versus family approaches to supporting young carers; and interdisciplinary working. Overall, the findings indicate a need for further education of healthcare professionals about young carers, and a more proactive and holistic family-based assessment approach to enhance identification of young carers and provide them with the support they require.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148702367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rashes in children: role of children's nurses in assessment and management.","authors":"Rebecca Platt, Michèle O'Grady","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1590","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1590","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A rash in a child can cause significant anxiety to the parents but rarely indicates serious illness. When children's nurses come across children presenting with a rash, they need the skills and confidence to distinguish between those who likely have a serious condition that warrants urgent escalation, those who likely have a clinically significant condition where appropriate interventions are important, and those who likely have a benign condition that will resolve by itself. Nurses also need to be able to use professional terminology in their descriptions of rashes and to conduct accurate skin assessments across skin tones. By combining clinical vigilance, compassionate communication, clear explanations and effective safety-netting, nurses can manage the care of children presenting with a rash confidently and reassure the children's parents.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148521008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Helen Reddy, Laura Holliday, Louise Clarke, Carli Whittaker, Verity Wilson, Jessica Jackson
{"title":"Evaluating a pilot session for nursing students with schoolchildren as simulated patients.","authors":"Helen Reddy, Laura Holliday, Louise Clarke, Carli Whittaker, Verity Wilson, Jessica Jackson","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1585","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Simulation can enhance nursing students' education by providing real-world practice learning experiences. However, finding opportunities for children's nursing students to work with children as simulated patients can be challenging due to safeguarding and consent issues and practical difficulties. This article details the evaluation of a pilot simulation session which involved 59 first-year preregistration children's nursing students practising physiological assessments and communication skills with 59 primary school children. After the session, which took place at the children's school, the students were asked to complete a survey. The vast majority of respondents thought that the simulation activity had enhanced their skills and confidence for their forthcoming first clinical placement. The children rated their experience using an adapted 'smiley faces' scale and their feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The findings show that using children as simulated patients can enrich students' practice learning, foster the development of a professional identity and help prepare them for practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148392080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shannon Cresham Fox, Takawira Marufu, Rachel Boardman, Joseph Manning
{"title":"Risk factors and nursing interventions for non-traumatic fractures in neonates and children: a systematic review with narrative synthesis.","authors":"Shannon Cresham Fox, Takawira Marufu, Rachel Boardman, Joseph Manning","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1574","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1574","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Non-traumatic (unexplained) fractures in neonates and children are often detected incidentally and present considerable diagnostic complexity. Nurses have a central role in early recognition, prevention and safe care, yet the synthesis of risk factors and nursing management is limited. This review aimed to synthesise evidence on risk factors for non-traumatic fractures in neonates and children and on the nursing management interventions reported to mitigate risk and improve outcomes. Nine studies were reviewed, including two quality improvement (QI) projects undertaken in neonatal intensive care units. Four main risk factor themes emerged from content analysis and narrative synthesis analysis - prematurity and low birthweight, comorbidities, medicines and nutrition - with additional influences from sex and maternal characteristics. Synthesis of the nursing interventions in the two QI projects identified that a multidisciplinary approach to screening, nutritional optimisation, staff education and 'handle with care' signage reduced non-traumatic fracture rates. Non-traumatic fracture risk in neonates and children is multifactorial, with nursing evidence concentrated in neonatal settings. Nurse-led screening and prevention protocols are research priorities.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":"18-24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147272323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effective child protection practice in England: legislation, barriers and strategies.","authors":"Ciarán Murphy","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1571","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1571","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Since 1973, a series of cases of children known to health and social care services who died of abuse and neglect have highlighted repeated failures of public agencies to work together to protect children exposed to intrafamilial harm. Despite child protection systems and procedures designed to facilitate interagency working and the sharing of information, professionals working with children may still not have an adequate understanding of their role in the child protection process. This article explores lessons that can be learned from the past 50 years. It reminds nurses of their child protection responsibilities and provides an overview of key sections of the legislation pertaining to safeguarding and child protection. The article also discusses the barriers nurses typically face when trying to identify and protect children exposed to, or at risk of, neglect and abuse, and strategies they can employ to maintain child-centred practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":"34-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145649617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}