Text and Connect

Got a question or concern about your child’s health, development or wellbeing? We’re here to help.

Text and Connect and a member of the team will respond with advice, support or information about services available in your area.

Babies, toddlers and pre-school children

We can help with:

• Breastfeeding and infant feeding
• Weaning and nutrition
• Toileting
• Sleep and behaviour concerns
• Child safety advice
• Dental health
• Emotional health and wellbeing
• Information about local services and community groups

School age children

We can help with:

• Behaviour and parenting concerns
• Bullying and friendships
• Healthy eating and active lifestyles
• Emotional health and wellbeing
• School worries and exam stress
• Relationships
• Sleep and healthy routines
• General health and wellbeing questions

Got a question, worry or concern? Text your school nurse for free, confidential advice and support.

No problem is too big or too small. We’re here to listen and help.

You can contact us about:

• Feelings, emotions and mental wellbeing
• Anxiety, stress and worries
• Friendships and bullying
• Relationships
• Anger management
• Healthy eating and nutrition
• Body image and self-esteem
• Sexual health
• Alcohol and substance use
• General health and wellbeing
• Anything else that’s on your mind

It’s up to you whether you tell us your name. You can choose to text anonymously, and all conversations are treated confidentially.

Confidentiality

Unless you give permission, we will not pass on anything you say to anyone else, like parents, teachers, or other students – except in extreme circumstances like if the health, safety or welfare of you or someone else who is at significant risk.

If we did need to tell someone about something you had told us, we would always try to speak with you first.  For our safety and yours we hold information that you tell us on electronic records that can be seen by other healthcare professionals who all follow the same confidentiality rules, this can include your doctor.  Records are kept for future use.

Text and Connect is confidential, anonymous and non-judgemental.

Text and Connect is available Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, including school holidays (excluding bank holidays).

Simply text the number for your area and a health visitor or school nurse will respond as soon as possible.

What happens next?

• You’ll receive an automatic message confirming we’ve received your text.
• A health visitor or school nurse will aim to respond within two working days.
• Messages are only monitored during service hours.

Important information

• Texts are not monitored outside of Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
• If you need urgent help before we respond, please contact your GP, a member of school staff or another healthcare professional.
• Ask…Us is not an emergency service. In an emergency, call 999 or visit your nearest Emergency Department.
• The service cannot receive voice calls or picture messages (MMS).
• You can stop receiving messages at any time by texting STOP.

We might inform someone if we were concerned about your safety, but we would usually speak to you about this first. Your messages are stored and can be seen by other health care staff who follow the same confidentiality rules. We aim to reply to you within two working days. You should get an immediate message back to confirm we have received your text. If you need help before you hear back from us please contact your GP, NHS 111 or visit your nearest Walk-in Centre / Urgent Treatment Centre. In an emergency visit A&E or call 999.

Our text number does not receive voice calls or MMS picture messages. We support messaging from UK mobile numbers only (which does not include messages sent from landlines, international mobile numbers and some ‘number masking’ mobile apps). To prevent the health professional from sending messages to you, text STOP to our number. Messages are charged at your usual rates.