Screen
Use age-appropriate checks within an agreed scope. Record an incomplete or unreliable measurement as such, rather than treating it as a normal result.
Evidence and clinical judgement A finding is a beginning.
A finding is a beginning.
Care is what follows.
School health brings an opportunity to notice concerns earlier, understand them with families and connect children to appropriate care. Screening supports that work; it does not replace a clinical assessment.
The wider evidence
Health belongs in the school day.
WHO and UNESCO's health-promoting school standards connect wellbeing with the learning environment, school policies and the wider community. They support a whole-school approach, not a health camp in isolation.
These are international standards, not an endorsement of SKIDS or proof of a particular device's accuracy. Local requirements and programme responsibilities must be agreed for each setting.
WHO and UNESCO: global standards and indicators (2021)Understand
A clinician considers findings alongside the child's history and family observations. A flagged result may need repeat measurement, examination or specialist assessment.
Follow through
Explain the result, who should review it and the next step. Screening completion and completed follow-up are different measures of a programme's work.
What a screening result can tell you.
No screening test detects every concern. A reassuring screen does not rule out a problem if a parent, teacher or child remains concerned. Equally, a flagged screen is not a diagnosis.
Accuracy depends on the specific test, age group, threshold, setting and reference assessment. A device's regulatory status is specific to its model and jurisdiction; it is not a blanket claim about a screening programme.
Before a programme begins
Ask for the evidence that matches your setting.
Discuss the checks proposed, the clinical team, consent, report access, referral arrangements and follow-up responsibilities. Ask for model-specific validation and applicable regulatory documentation where devices are used.
Programme reporting should distinguish children screened, findings needing review and completed care. Published research and local programme results should be identified separately.
Talk to the school-health team