Nutrition
Supporting every child’s health, learning and development through personalised nutrition
At Craighalbert, a high proportion of our children experience eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties. Our staff work closely with parents, carers, and the wider medical team to ensure each child receives food and fluids of the appropriate texture when required. We adhere to the IDDSI framework and regularly audit the texture of the meals and thickness of the drinks we provide.
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Some children may require additional supplements added to their foods and drinks, while others may require enteral feeding via a nasogastric (NG) tube, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), or jejunostomy (JEG), administered through intermitted or continuous feeds via a pump, bolus, or by way of a blended diet.
We collaborate closely with parents, carers, dietitians, and nutritionists to ensure a suitable and well-balanced diet is provided throughout the child’s nursery or school day.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy aspires to ensure that all the children we work with led full and happy lives.
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We focus on helping them participate in meaningful activities (occupations) they need and want to do at school, at home and at play.
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We work with children and young people, families, school staff, and the wider team to help overcome challenges relating to daily life activities.
Our approach to enteral feeding
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Collaborative Communication: We work closely with parents, carers, and NHS professionals, including dietitians, nutritionists, and specialist nurses, to ensure clear and consistent communication.
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Individualised Nutrition Plans: Each child follows a personalised nutrition and fluid regimen designed by an NHS dietitian, regularly reviewed to meet their individual needs.
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Staff Training and Best Practice: Our team is fully trained in best practice for enteral feeding, ensuring compliance with each child's nutrition and hydration needs.
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Specialist Training: Craighalbert staff receive comprehensive training in all aspects of enteral feeding, including blended diets. Catering staff are also trained to prepare food of the correct consistency.
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Quality & Compliance Audits: We routinely audit enteral feeding procedures, infection prevention, and medication administration to maintain best practice standards.
All staff members undergo both theoretical instruction and practical training on bolus feeding and the use of feeding devices. Training is refreshed every two years through collaboration with nurse specialists and/ or online training resources.
Enquire about a placement
If you feel Craighalbert is the right place to support both your child and you, click the link below to submit an enquiry.
or you can call us on 01236 456 100 or email us admin@craighalbert.org.uk