A national toolkit, which was designed with help from one of Southend's school nurses is being launched in Parliament as part of a wider eating disorder manifesto.
The evidence-based toolkit was created by mental health campaigner, Hope Virgo, the School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) and a group of experts and is a guide to support school nurses across the country help children and young people struggling with issues around food and eating. It’s anticipated that this toolkit will help reduce the stigma for young people to have, what is currently a difficult conversation about eating disorders, and the impact it has on their health and emotional wellbeing.
The toolkit also sets out steps for school nurses to support children and young people who may be experiencing eating disorders. School nurses work with children, young people and their families to get the right care and support in place, including urgent medical attention that day if required or referral to a specialist service. A guide for educational settings has also been written which includes simple and supportive measures for schools to adopt which may improve the experience for children and young people with eating disorders.
Cllr Laurie Burton, cabinet member for children and learning, said: “I am exceptionally proud of our school nurses for blazing the trail with this toolkit which will help combat eating disorders, not only locally, but nationally. What they have created is something that I truly believe will make a significant difference in what is currently a subject not many children and young people are open to talk about. I am excited to see how the toolkit evolves over the coming months and years to benefit the young people of our country.
“I am particularly delighted to see that Parliament have endorsed this toolkit, highlighting the importance of this work and the dedication school nurses here in Southend and across the country have for improving the health and wellbeing of our children.”
Geri Walshe, practise education lead for Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: “This toolkit is something that we are very passionate about. Our school nurses work closely with education and mental health colleagues and have identified a significant increase in the presentation of disordered eating in children and young people, mainly since the Covid-19 pandemic, although this appeared - from my professional observation - to be on the increase prior to this.
“Public health school nurses are uniquely placed to offer a safe, confidential, neutral, non-judgemental space for children and young people to discuss concerns in which they have regarding their eating, and complete onward referrals to mental health services for assessments to be completed to establish any diagnosis of an eating disorder.”
If you have concerns about your child and their eating habits, please speak your GP or your local school nursing service.
If you are aged 11 to 19 and are worried about your eating habits, you can text a school nurse through the ChatHealth service on 07520 649895.
To find out more about eating disorders, please visit the NHS website where you will find more information.