New guidelines to improve the health of children in residential care
New nutritional guidelines to help improve the health and well being of children and young people in residential care have been published today by Children’s Minister Adam Ingram.
They are based on similar guidelines introduced in 2008 to support nutritional improvements in school meals but have been adapted for residential accommodation with input from young people in care, the Care Commission, HMIE, NHS and the Food Standards Agency.
Key aspects of the guidance include:
Increasing the intake of fruit, vegetables, oily fish, starchy foods and fibre.
Reducing the intake of saturated fats, sugars and salt in meals, healthier snacks and drinks to help reduce the consumption of crisps, biscuits and fizzy drinks.
The promotion of good, balanced eating habits for life and the importance of a healthy breakfast.
Mr Ingram said:
“The guidelines published today recognise that for some young people, residential care is their main home environment and therefore it has a unique part to play in their care, health and wellbeing. Produced in conjunction with young people, the guidelines will encourage managers and staff to take a health promoting approach to all aspects of children’s care, while also improving their overall health – now and in the future”
John Brown, Senior Programme Officer, Youth Health, NHS Health Scotland, said:
“This document supports corporate parenting partners in residential care settings who have a responsibility to provide good nutritional guidance for children and young people within a primary home environment. It also takes into account the views and experiences of children and young people. It’s often said that healthy eating is about getting the balance right. This document follows that example.”
Who Cares? Scotland, a charity supporting Scotland’s children and young people in care, was pleased to have been involved in developing the new guidelines saying:
“We welcomed the early response of Scottish Government and partners to agree to consult young people so that any guidance we went on to develop together reflected their views and experiences, and it does. We hope it is seen as both practical and insightful by those working with children and young people day-to-day and also those further removed but making key decisions.”
The Care Commission will use the new guidelines as the basis for good practice when carrying out future residential care inspections and similar guidelines will shortly be published to support schools in implementing the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008 for children and young people who have additional support needs.
To find out more on the new guidance visit:
Health Promotion Guidance: Nutritional Guidance for Children and Young People Residential Care Settings
Consultation Report: Children and young people’s views and experiences of food and nutrition in residential care