Nursing-led training of school staff to care for children and adolescents with special health care needs: a scoping review

Abstract

Introduction

Children and adolescents with special health care needs (SHCN) live with chronic physical and developmental conditions that affect functioning and require ongoing support from health systems. Nurses work throughout the lifespan and across various care settings; they are well positioned to provide health education and deliver specialized care to individuals, groups, and communities, leading to improvements in health outcomes.

Objective

To map the scientific evidence on training school staff to care for children and adolescents with SHCN in school settings.

Methods

We carried out a scoping review in line with Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance and the PCC framework (Participants, Concept, Context). Studies were identified from six international databases between May and June 2024. Study selection followed the PRISMA‑ScR checklist (EQUATOR Network); three independent reviewers performed the data charting and analysis.

Results

This scoping review included three articles published between 2015 and 2020. Data were charted according to the main domains of the A-FROM tool. The nursing interventions reported aimed to train school staff through health education sessions and practice-based activities to build knowledge and competencies.

Conclusion

Nursing-led training for school staff caring for children and adolescents with SHCN showed positive effects on knowledge regarding the targeted needs, confidence in care, and children’s quality of life. Continued research and reporting of nursing interventions that train school staff to care for children and adolescents with SHCN in school settings are essential.