--- title: 'How to support a pupil with disordered eating' url: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/how-to-support-a-pupil-with-disordered-eating' markdown: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/how-to-support-a-pupil-with-disordered-eating.md' date: '2026-03-09' description: 'Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect children and young people when they use food control to manage difficult emotions or stress. Schools play a key role in noticing early changes, supporting emotional wellbeing, and helping pupils access care. Early recognition and supportive action can make a real difference to a pupil’s recovery and long-term wellbeing. In this short, practical film, Dr Sian Williams provides evidence-based guidance for teachers, school staff, and pastoral teams on how to: Recognise early warning signs of eating disorders in pupils Understand how eating disorders can look different for each child Distinguish between typical dieting or faddy eating and disordered eating Foster a positive school culture around body image, language, and self-worth Promote body acceptance and emotional resilience through everyday teaching Create safe, inclusive, and supportive classroom environments Identify physical, emotional, and behavioural indicators of risk Understand vulnerability factors, including anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, or OCD Collaborate with safeguarding leads and healthcare professionals Make reasonable adjustments to support pupils while at school Who this resource is for: Classroom teachers and teaching staff SENCOs and inclusion teams Pastoral and wellbeing leads Safeguarding teams and designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) School leaders focused on pupil mental health Why this guidance matters: Research shows that early awareness and supportive action from school staff can improve recovery outcomes for young people with eating disorders. You don’t need to diagnose or treat a disorder yourself – but your attentive, compassionate response may be the first step in helping a pupil access the care they need.' taxonomy: category: - 'Mental Health' tag: - 'Eating Disorders' type: - Video contributor: - 'Dr Sian Williams' - 'Samantha Wrightson' --- # How to support a pupil living with an Eating Disorder [ Eating Disorders ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Eating%20Disorders) [ ![Nip in the Bud](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/themes/nitb/images/logos/round-logo.png) ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us "About Nip in the Bud") ![Dr Sian Williams](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/06.about-us/02.authors-and-experts/dr-sian-williams/dr-sian-williams.jpg) Speaker [Dr Sian Williams](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us/authors-and-experts/dr-sian-williams)speaker Duration: 0h 5m 45s Published: January 2026 Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect children and young people when they use food control to manage difficult emotions or stress. Schools play a key role in noticing early changes, supporting emotional wellbeing, and helping pupils access care. Early recognition and supportive action can make a real difference to a pupil’s recovery and long-term wellbeing. In this short, practical film, Dr Sian Williams provides evidence-based guidance for teachers, school staff, and pastoral teams on how to: - Recognise early warning signs of eating disorders in pupils - Understand how eating disorders can look different for each child - Distinguish between typical dieting or faddy eating and disordered eating - Foster a positive school culture around body image, language, and self-worth - Promote body acceptance and emotional resilience through everyday teaching - Create safe, inclusive, and supportive classroom environments - Identify physical, emotional, and behavioural indicators of risk - Understand vulnerability factors, including anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, or OCD - Collaborate with safeguarding leads and healthcare professionals - Make reasonable adjustments to support pupils while at school Who this resource is for: - Classroom teachers and teaching staff - SENCOs and inclusion teams - Pastoral and wellbeing leads - Safeguarding teams and designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) - School leaders focused on pupil mental health Why this guidance matters: Research shows that early awareness and supportive action from school staff can improve recovery outcomes for young people with eating disorders. You don’t need to diagnose or treat a disorder yourself – but your attentive, compassionate response may be the first step in helping a pupil access the care they need. --- Was this helpful? 0 0 Share: [ Previous Post](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/supporting-a-pupil-who-is-self-harming) [Next Post ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/ptsd-in-the-classroom-tips-for-teachers) #### Other Related Posts: ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/02.challenges/03.online-harm/smartphones-and-social-media/staying-safe-online.webp) ### Factsheet: Smartphones and Social Media [Factsheet: Smartphones and Social Media](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/challenges/online-harm/smartphones-and-social-media) We need to teach children how to navigate the internet safely and critically, recognise when something isn’t right, and feel confident approaching someone… [ Online Harm ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Online%20Harm) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/03.toolkit/06.ask-dr-bettina/my-child-is-worried-about-body-size/disordered-eating-in-young-sm.jpg) ### Video: My child is worried about body size [Video: My child is worried about body size](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/ask-dr-bettina/my-child-is-worried-about-body-size) My 12-year-old son has put on a little bit of weight. It is getting him down. I don’t want to make a big thing out of it, but I’d like to help him. Any… [ Eating Disorders ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Eating%20Disorders) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/04.eating-disorders/disordered-eating-in-children-signs-types-and-support/children-cooking-how-to-help-fussy-eaters.webp) ### Factsheet: Disordered Eating in Children: Signs, Types and Support [Factsheet: Disordered Eating in Children: Signs, Types and Support](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/disordered-eating-in-children-signs-types-and-support) Disordered eating can affect children of any age, and the signs aren't always obvious. Understanding what to look for - and knowing when to act - can make… [ Eating Disorders ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Eating%20Disorders) --- ## Navigation - Parent: [Tips for Teachers](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers.md) - Previous: [PTSD in the classroom - Tips for Teachers](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/ptsd-in-the-classroom-tips-for-teachers.md) - Next: [Supporting a pupil who is self-harming](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/supporting-a-pupil-who-is-self-harming.md)