Children learn to eat just as they learn to walk and talk.
Your child’s experience of learning to eat is an important part of their story.
When children experience feeding and eating difficulties, parents can often feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure where to find support.
The Parent Community brings together families who understand these experiences. It is a welcoming space to learn, connect and build confidence alongside other parents, carers and families who share an interest in children’s feeding and inclusive practice.
Our Parent Community is built around the principles of the Eating as Learning Framework, recognising that feeding development is influenced by learning, sensory experiences, communication, relationships and confidence.
We encourage parents to focus on building connection rather than creating pressure, recognising progress in all its forms: Success is not measured by whether a child eats a particular food. It is measured by growing confidence, curiosity, participation and positive experiences around food.
By creating environments that feel safe, supportive and predictable, children are better able to explore, learn and develop feeding skills at their own pace. Over time, these experiences help build positive and sustainable relationships with food.
There is no judgement and no expectation that every child will follow the same developmental path.
The Parent Community was designed with and alongside families, it is run with the generous support from our team of Family Ambassadors.
Free access to trusted advice from expert dietitians, occupational therapists and speech & language therapists. You will find videos, advice sheets, resources and webinars to support with your child's feeding and eating challanges.
Connect with other parents and carers in a supportive and moderated online forum. Share experiences, ask questions and learn from families facing similar challenges with their child's feeding and eating.
Join online learning sessions led by experts in the field of childrens feeding and eating development. Topics are shaped by the questions families ask, so let us know what you are interested in.
If you are worried about your child's feeding or eating and need to seek professional help and advice, search our database of certified Eating as Learning practitioners - these are specialist, HCPC registered healthcare professionals who have undertaken additional training to support children and young people with feeding and eating challenges.
The Parent Community provides peer support and shared learning. It does not provide clinical advice, replace professional assessment or offer emergency support. Members are encouraged to share experiences respectfully, protect confidentiality and help create a safe and welcoming environment for all families.
Access expert guidance and practical strategies to support your child.
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?
