School Nurse Shortage Threatens Child Health, Report Warns

A substantial reduction in the number of school nurses and health visitors threatens to create a generation of children with persistent health problems and an increased long-term dependence on the National Health Service, according to a new report.

The King's Fund, a health think tank, revealed in its report, 'What does the health and care system look like for children in England?', that the workforce supporting babies, new parents, and school-aged children has been "hollowed out." This decline means remaining staff are stretched thin, leading to children's health issues, including obesity, dental problems, and mental distress, often escalating to crisis levels before intervention.

The report highlights a nearly 38% decrease in the school nurse workforce, from a peak of 3,026 full-time equivalent roles in January 2010 to 1,862 in June 2026. Concurrently, the number of health visitors has plummeted by 45%, falling from 10,309 in October 2015 to 5,666 in June 2026.

Health visitors provide support to families from pregnancy until children begin school, focusing on child development, infant feeding, and parental well-being. School nurses, who are specialist community public health nurses, promote the health and well-being of school-aged children, including those with specific needs like asthma or epilepsy. They play a vital role in early identification of problems, managing chronic conditions, safeguarding children, and connecting families with essential services.

However, the report notes that many of these professionals are increasingly dedicating their time to safeguarding and child protection concerns, diminishing their capacity for crucial preventative work. This reduction in preventative care could mean an entire generation misses out on early interventions for issues such as mental health, obesity, oral health, and chronic conditions.

The increasing burden may also fall on teachers, who are already under pressure and may lack the specialized training or capacity for medical care. This situation is occurring despite government efforts to shift care from hospitals to community settings and an overall increase in the nursing workforce.

Niamh Buckingham, policy advisor at The King's Fund, stated that the findings reveal a significant gap between the government's stated ambition for children's health and the current reality. "Despite children spending five days a week in school, the support available to help them stay healthy and prevent more serious health and wellbeing issues is being stretched thinner and thinner," Buckingham said. She emphasized that health visitors and school nurses are uniquely positioned to intervene early, but dwindling numbers mean lost opportunities to address problems before they worsen.

Funding for school nursing and health visiting services, provided by central government through public health grants to local councils, has seen a real-terms cut of 16% between 2016/17 and 2025/26. The King's Fund also warned of a postcode lottery in service access, with some local authorities reportedly discontinuing these services entirely.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the need to strengthen these services, citing government commitments to provide every family with necessary support. The department highlighted the rollout of mental health support teams in educational settings and the expansion of health services for babies in family hubs as part of its 10-year plan to shift care into the community.