AQW 23429/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 26/02/2025
Answered On Date: 04/03/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any measures his Department has put in place to ensure that teachers and school staff are equipped to identify and support pupils who may be struggling with an eating disorder.

Answer:

Eating disorders are primarily a mental health issue which are the responsibility of the Department of Health (DoH). It is important to note that our educational staff are not mental health professionals, however it is essential that settings provide caring, supportive environments for children and young people ensuring that where issues arise these are identified and acted upon at the earliest opportunity.

The joint Department of Education and DoH ‘Children and Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Education Framework’ provides overarching guidance to empower those working in educational settings in the promotion of positive emotional wellbeing and to strengthen self-esteem and resilience in our children and young people. This is underpinned by an investment of over £5m which supports several emotional health and wellbeing projects and services directly to schools and youth services. Details of the Framework and the projects it supports can be found at https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/emotional-health-and-wellbeing.