Developing an eating disorders support programme for schools

www.eatingresearch.com

“We just don’t know how best to help”Staff Experiences of Eating Disorders in UK Schools

Jodi Knightsmith

Institute of Psychiatry



Background

• Eating disorders are a significant problem amongst school-aged children in the UK

• No current qualitative studies of school staff experiences

• School staff could be key to ED prevention


Aims

• Consultation carried out to:

– Understand staff experiences– Get a picture of the issues faced in school– Listen to recommendations– Learn from best and worst practice


Method

• 6 Focus groups – 42 participants

• 800 Questionnaires completed

• Teachers, school nurses, pastoral staff

• Primary, secondary and special schools

• Responses categorised


Questions

• Prevalence of eating disorders

• Positive and negative experiences

• Policies, training, support

• School ethos


Results


A high proportion of teachers reported cases of EDs


Do staff at your school have a good understanding about eating disorders?

“A lot of staff think if we can get her to eat she’ll be fine. I think it’s a lot more complicated than that.”

(Year 9 form tutor with re student with AN)

“I went to the head and said ‘I think she’s bulimic’

– he looked at me completely blankly.

I had to explain what I meant.”(PE teacher re year 8 student)

Many staff did not have a basic understanding about EDs


Lack of understanding could be explained by a lack of training

Has your school offered any training to staff about eating disorders?


Most schools did not have a policy in place


Do you discuss eating disorders with staff or students?

“It’s almost like a superstition: the head is worried if we discuss it, we’ll have an epidemic on our hands.”

(PE Teacher)

“Talking about mental health issues is frowned upon at my school.”(Year 8 Teacher)

“We’re an outstanding school, and everyone seems to think that means our students can’t have these problems – we’re

certainly not allowed to ‘encourage them’ by talking about it…”(Head of Pastoral Care)

Staff reported that EDs were a taboo subject at school


Teachers Experiences when Working with Parents

Parents proved very variable in their response to staff


Positive Experiences of Working with Parents

“They had been worrying about the same issues themselves and were grateful that someone else had noticed.”

(Year 11 Form Tutor)

“Most are pleased to have support from the school and do tend to follow it up with a doctors appointment

leading to a medical referral.” (Secondary School Head)

“All parents I have spoken to have been grateful that I have been in touch. Majority have been willing to accept

suggestions to get further help where appropriate.” (Head of Pastoral Care)

Many staff reported positive experiences of working with parents


Negative Experiences of Working with Parents

“I have had some bad reactions from parents, including abuse and complaints against me.”

(Deputy Head)

“Some parents are in denial and don’t want to admit there is a problem as they see it as a

reflection on their parenting.” (Head of Pastoral Care)

“One mother will not work with me. She is modelling dysfunctional behaviour around eating and actively

encouraging her daughter’s anorexia.” (Head of Year 9)


What would you do if you were concerned a student might have an ED?

“We just don’t know how best to help” Maths Teacher


Has your school had to reintegrate a student following an absence due to an eating disorder?


Did your school receive support during the reintegration process?

76% of schools who had reintegrated a student following absence due to an ED had received support


Summary• High prevalence of eating disorders in UK schools

• Differing levels of understanding and acceptability

• Parents can provide excellent support - or be a barrier

• Staff don’t know how best to help


Students’ Opinion

• 400 11-19 year-olds surveyed• Majority reported negative experiences• <10% considered their school supportive• Students made recommendations

For more information

Poster P.02 at 12.45 – 2pm today


Further Research

The results of this research will be used to develop eating disorder prevention and early intervention training programmes for school staff.


Acknowledgements

This work was part of the ARIADNE programme (Applied Research into Anorexia Nervosa and Not Otherwise Specified Eating Disorders), funded by a Department of Health NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Research (Reference number RP-PG-0606-1043) to U. Schmidt, J. Treasure, K.Tchanturia, H. Startup, S. Ringwood, S..Landau, M. Grover, I.Eisler, I.Campbell, J. Beecham, M. Allen, G. Wolff.

The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of DH/NIHR.


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Developing an eating disorders support programme for schools

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