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A new ‘Food in Care’ website has been launched to provide practical support for those who look after young people in care. The website provides foster carers with a tool to support them with a range of food behaviour challenges that they may face with children in their care. The website can be used by anyone who has a direct or indirect role in, and responsibility for, promoting the quality of life of children in their care.

This new resource is part of the ‘Food in Care’ innovative programme led by Health Equalities Group to assist Children in Care (CiC) and their carers to lead healthier lives. This initiative was funded by the British Heart Foundation and developed by Heart of Mercy charity and delivered in partnership with Liverpool City Council and other local partners.

Magdalena Przybylka of Heart of Mersey said:

Research indicates that young people in care often suffer worse health outcomes than young people outside of the system and often have food anxieties (such as overeating or hoarding food) which can be linked to early experiences of either abuse or neglect. Carers face a number of challenges related to those issues and they require skills in managing food associated behaviours in order to improve and maintain the health of the children and young people in their care. This resource has been produced for carers and other professionals to fill the existing gap and support them in their unique role.”

The website (www. Foodincare.org.uk) covers healthy eating, special diets and medical conditions, food related customs according to a child’s religious and cultural background as well as advice around different types of food behaviour.