WIREDGOV

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, for example by adding fresh fruit to breakfast cereal and adding extra vegetables and pulses to stews, casseroles and other dishes
• Reducing the intake of saturated fats, sugars and salt in meals for example, by limiting the amount of spread added to bread, sandwiches, potatoes and vegetables, and grilling and baking food rather than frying
• The provision of healthier snacks and drinks to help reduce the consumption of crisps, biscuits and fizzy drinks
• The promotion of good, balanced eating habits for life by involving children and young people in shopping, menu planning and cooking to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to take responsibility for their own health and well being once they leave care
• Encouraging children to get up early enough to enjoy a healthy breakfast, given the mental and physical benefits associated with this

Mr Ingram said:

"We want all our children and young people to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including ensuring they develop the practical skills and knowledge to be able to choose a healthy and balanced diet. This is particularly important if we are to reduce their risk of diet related diseases in later life.

"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.

"Crucially, they closely reflect the advice and support provided within our Healthy Eating in Schools guidance and are another step towards ensuring that looked after children - who are among the most vulnerable members of our communities - are given the same level of care and support as our own children."

Phil Barton, Director of Starleyhall and a member of Education through Care Scotland - a professional network for residential special schools registered by the Care Commission and the Registrar of Independent Schools, said:

"This guidance will be a valuable resource for all services who aspire to provide high quality residential care and education for young people and children in Scotland."

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."

The Care Commission will use the new guidelines as the basis for good practice when carrying out future residential care inspections.

Similar new guidelines have recently been developed 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.

They will be published on the Scottish Government website and issued in the next few weeks, and will provide support and practical guidance for schools, recognising the complex and diverse range of eating and drinking difficulties these children and young people can face.

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