Supporting a student with an eating disorder at school
Empowering schools to support recovery.
School staff can find it challenging to know what to do to support a student experiencing an eating disorder and what they can do for their wider school community (staff and students). However, schools can play an incredibly important role in the recovery of a student, particularly when they are returning from inpatient care or engaged in intensive outpatient treatment.
Every eating disorder experience and the treatment and recovery process is unique. Therefore the ways in which a school supports recovery will need to be flexible and based on a collaborative approach between the school, the student (if age appropriate), their family and the treatment team.
Schools are encouraged to refer to Butterfly’s guidance document and other evidence based guidelines about supporting student’s experiencing eating disorders in the school environment
Should you require further support in relation to a student please contact Butterfly’s Prevention Team (education@butterfly.org.au) in the first instance who will coordinate a response, involving the wider Butterfly Team as necessary.
If you would like to know more about eating disorders and supporting students you can also attend one of our professional development workshops. See our scheduled events here
Adopt a whole of school approach; prevention and early identification
Butterfly Education can support your school community; students (Yr5-12), staff and parents with prevention and early intervention, evidence based workshops.
For further information please contact Helen Bird on education@butterfly.org.au or by calling 02 8456 3908
Let’s talk
For further support and guidance around supporting a student, call our free and confidential Helpline on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673), chat online or email.
