Curriculum, training, activities and resources to help support children and young people with SEND, neurodevelopmental and medical needs to build confidence with food-based learning and activities.
For many children, particularly those with SEND, neurodevelopmental differences, sensory sensitivities or medical needs, the challenge is not understanding healthy eating messages. The challenge is learning how to eat, participate and develop positive experiences around food.
The Eating as Learning Curriculum helps settings create inclusive, supportive and effective food-learning experiences for children who are often excluded from traditional approaches.
Why settings need a different approach
Many children are unable to fully engage in food-related learning because of:
The Eating as Learning Curriculum is an evidence-informed programme developed by a multidisciplinary team of feeding specialists. Drawing on expertise from speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and nutrition, the curriculum treats food as a developmental learning experience rather than a behaviour to be corrected.
Eating is never forced. Regulation, safety and learning come first.
Developed specifically with children who experience sensory differences, feeding challenges and neurodivergent profiles in mind.
Creates safe opportunities for engagement while reducing pressure and anxiety around food.
Supports feeding, self-feeding, independence, communication and participation.
Helps schools develop supportive routines and more inclusive approaches to food-related activities.
Provides information and resources that help strengthen home-school partnerships.
Complements Healthy Schools, Food for Life and SEND Code of Practice priorities.
A Complete Curriculum Package – A full year of weekly session plans, activities, resources and symbol supports, differentiated to meet diverse learning and sensory profiles.
Specialist Staff Training – Half-day training delivered by an MDT of feeding specialists from nutrition & dietetics, occupational therapy and speech & language therapy.
Video Learning Library – Easy-access, online learning modules and practical examples demonstrating activities and implementation in real-world settings.
Sustainability Resources – Templates and planning tools enabling future delivery within school without ongoing dependence on external services.
Outcome Measures – Tools to support baseline assessment, participation monitoring and progress tracking.
Ongoing Mentoring – Termly support and guidance for staff delivering the programme.
Suitable for family hubs, pre-school teams, mainstream and specialist provision
Suitable for special schools, resources bases and SEND learners within mainstream settings
Functional food learning for participation and independence. Secondary and FE provision.
Access expert guidance and practical strategies to support children and young people.
We’re putting the finishing touches to our membership. Please check back soon.
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?
