Innovation from the inside: Collaborating for school readiness.

This paper will critically reflect on a service evaluation project that was undertaken within Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust in 2014/15. The project sought to provide a new way of working that supported health visitors (HVs) and school nurses (SNs) in developing effective collaborative and partnership working practices in order to meet the health needs and improve the health outcomes of children aged four to five years in preparation and readiness for school. HVs and SNs are well placed to work with families and provide the early interventions and health support required to support school readiness, e.g. behaviour, sleep, eating and continence advice. Historically, within Susssex Community NHS Foundation Trust, this public health approach has been taken on by the SN service. However, problems were identified locally with this model due to several factors including reduced staffing and confusion regarding transition of care from HVs to SNs. In response, a new way of working was considered locally to ensure the best possible service for families.