Emotional Significance of Food course details
This training explores the emotional, relational and psychological significance of food for children and young people. It considers how food can be linked to trauma, attachment, control and comfort, and how foster carers can respond sensitively to food-related behaviours. The session supports carers to promote healthy, nurturing and emotionally informed approaches to food and mealtimes.
Learning outcomes
The training will help foster carers understand food-related behaviours and respond in a supportive, trauma-informed way.
By the end of the course, you will have:
- insight into the emotional meaning of food for children in care
- understanding of how trauma and attachment can affect eating behaviours
- practical strategies for managing food-related challenges
- increased confidence in creating safe and nurturing mealtime routines
- awareness of how food can support connection and regulation
Standards
Training, Support and Development Standards (TSDS)
- Standard 1: Understand the principles and values essential for fostering
- Standard 3: Understand health and healthy care
- Standard 4: Understand the development of children and young people
- Standard 7: Develop yourself
National Minimum Standards (NMS)
- NMS 3: Children’s health and wellbeing needs are promoted
- NMS 4: Children experience nurturing care
- NMS 15: Foster carers receive appropriate training and development