Press Release: Local school children takeover Children and Family Health Surrey nursing roles

On Friday 24 November local primary school children from Woodlands School in Leatherhead and Portesbery Special School in Camberley, (a school for children and young people (2-19) with Severe Learning Difficulties), took over the roles of our specialist school nurses for the day, as part of the Children’s Commissioner Takeover Day 2017.

Both Woodlands and Portesbery school children used professional equipment to carryout blood pressure readings, height measurements, temperature and eye examinations on the nurse team and their classmates.

Interim Director of Children and Family Health Surrey, Sarah Baker said:

“This year, Takeover Day is especially meaningful for Children and Family Health Surrey, as we launch our wider long term strategic engagement plans to involve children and young people in all areas of the organisation. We will encourage all children and young people in our care to feedback their views and opinions to help us find solutions in developing future services and to tell us when we don’t get things right. We are committed to improving young people’s health and wellbeing. This annual event, now in its tenth year, is a fantastic opportunity to really get children involved in the world of work, and to showcase how things happen behind the scenes and the difference their contribution makes. I believe all children have a lot to offer. Their ideas are often sharper, more concise and spontaneous than those of adults. It is very important to us, that we cultivate a platform of continuous engagement to help shape what we do at Children and Family Health Surrey. Over the coming months, we will work closely with children and young people to gain a fresh perspective and insight into the transformation work we are doing as an organisation”.

The Takeover Challenge puts young people into decision-making positions and encourages organisations and businesses to hear their views. Children gain a valuable insight into the adult world and gain experience of a workplace, while organisations benefit from a fresh perspective on their work.

This year, Takeover Challenge offers plenty of chances to get involved, as events can be spread over the year and not just restricted to one day, Friday 24 November.

Originally launched in 2007, Commissioner’s Takeover has been a big success, with hundreds of organisations and thousands of young people getting involved, having fun, learning new skills and exercising their right to speak up on the issues that affect them.

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