School nurses play a key role in delivering advice and guidance to children who are suffering from mental illness, campaigners say. But, over the past eight years, the number of full-time equivalent school nurses in England has fallen.

One in 10 children aged 5-16 suffers from a diagnosable mental health disorder, according to charity Young Minds. And earlier this year, the Royal College of Nursing called for more recognition of the role that nurses can play in recognising mental health issues in schools.

However, between September 2010 and July 2016, the number of school nurses in England decreased by 11 per cent, from 2,933 to 2,599.

In Scotland, the number of school nurses has actually increased slightly over the past year. In June 2016, there were 354.3 full-time equivalent nurses, compared with 342.6 in June 2015.

Will Martin