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912 Multi-sectoral model for checking health, safety and community well-being in schools
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  1. Ulla Korpilahti1,
  2. Marke Hietanen-Peltola1,
  3. Heidi Peltonen1,
  4. Riina Länsikallio2,3,
  5. Tarja Hartikainen4,
  6. Sari Wuolijoki5,
  7. Marjaana Pelkonen6
  1. 1National Institute for Health and Welfare
  2. 2Finnish National Board of Education
  3. 3Trade Union of Education in Finland
  4. 4Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
  5. 5Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
  6. 6Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Abstract

Background The Health Care Act (1326/2010, sections 16–17) prescribes that school and student health services must carry out triennial checks on the health and safety of school environments and well-being in learning communities in co-operation both with various authorities and with pupils, students and guardians. National follow-up data show, however, that checks have not been made comprehensively and that national guidance is needed.

Objective In 2013 preparations were started for a handbook and a model for the checks in order to promote health, safety and community well-being as well as multi-sectoral co-operation in schools and educational institutions. The steering group had representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the National Institute for Health and Welfare, the Finnish National Board of Education, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and the Trade Union of Education in Finland. During the process the group received valuable feedback from nearly 40 experts, and the handbook and the check forms were piloted in six schools.

Results The handbook presents a new multi-sectoral model for checking the health, safety and community well-being in schools, covering the different stages of the checks: planning, implementation, monitoring, documentation, and communication of the results. It also includes the necessary forms for the checks and defines the roles of different actors. The handbook was published in autumn 2015.

Conclusions Multi-sectoral co-operation increases the health, safety and community well-being in schools and educational institutions as well as improves effectiveness, bringing savings and benefits to all parties. The handbook is primarily intended for national authorities, but it can also be used by pupils and students, by teachers and educators in different educational institutions, as well as by employees and other stakeholders in the relevant sectors.

  • schools and educational institutions
  • health and safety
  • community well-being
  • multi-sectoral checks

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