Learning to eat is one of the most important developmental skills a child acquires, yet feeding development is rarely recognised alongside other childhood milestones.
The FED Foundation’s Missing Milestone campaign is calling for feeding development to be included in the Personal Child Health Record (“Red Book”), helping parents, health professionals and educators identify feeding differences earlier to provide support sooner.
By making feeding development visible from the beginning, more children can access the nutrition, learning and participation opportunities they need to thrive, with earlier identification helping to prevent avoidable crisis and escalation.
Feeding development is recognised as a fundamental part of healthy child development.
Every child can access, participate in and benefit from food-related experiences as part of everyday school life.
Children with SEND and feeding differences are recognised within policy and supported through inclusive practice.
Children with feeding differences should not fall between health, education and SEND systems. This campaign celebrates inclusive practice and promotes inclusion for children with feeding differences, sensory needs, medical complexities, and SEND.
This campaign calls for feeding development to be recognised as a core element of participation, inclusion and school readiness. By embedding feeding development within SEND reform, children can access support earlier, participate more fully in school life and achieve better long-term outcomes. The campaign advocates for practical, joined-up solutions that help children thrive in education and beyond.
Families receive timely, personalised support and practical guidance, shaped by lived experience.
Early identification and prevention are prioritised across health, education and community settings.
Health, education and food systems work together to provide co-ordinated support for children and families.
Food may be available. Not every child can benefit from it. This campaign supports inclusive school food policies that recognise the diverse needs of children across educational settings.
The updated School Food Standards will improve the quality of food available in schools, an ambition we strongly support. However, food provision alone is not enough. Many children with SEND, feeding differences, sensory needs or medical complexities face barriers that prevent them from accessing or benefiting from school meals. This campaign promotes inclusive school food environments that prioritise participation, accessibility and reasonable adjustments alongside nutritional standards, ensuring every child has the opportunity to eat, learn and take part.
There are many ways to support our campaigns:
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The Foundation regularly works alongside other charities and community organisations to ensure families can access relevant support and opportunities to get involved.
Examples include:
Positive About Down Syndrome (PADS)
The Foundation worked with PADS to develop a parent webinar exploring feeding development and eating challenges experienced by some children with Down syndrome.
Autism West Midlands
Through workshops and learning events, families have been able to explore topics relating to feeding differences, participation and neurodevelopment.
Worcestershire Parent Carer Forum
Partnership work with Worcestershire Parent Carer Forum has provided opportunities to hear family perspectives, support local engagement activities and strengthen conversations around feeding development, SEND and inclusion.
Interested in becoming a partner organisation?
