Evaluation of Healthy Community Schools Initiative in AIMHI Schools

Students who are healthy and well supported in school and home are more likely to achieve better educational outcomes. Unresolved health and social issues can have a significant impact on a student’s ability to learn and participate in the classroom and, if not dealt with promptly, can lead to more serious issues.

School-based health and social support services reduce barriers to learning and improve young people's access to care and support.There has been an increasing investment in school-based health and social support services by health, education and social service agencies, particularly for students in low decile secondary schools, teen parent units and alternative education centres. However, models of care and support vary widely across the country.

This report, undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the Ministry of Health, builds on our understanding of the value and the role of school-based health and social support services in improving young people’s access to care and support, and will inform future development.