As a result of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, more children in schools are living in poverty, with millions going hungry or at risk of going hungry. Currently 4.3 million children in the UK live in poverty, and with grocery inflation currently standing at the highest level on record, this number is likely to increase. Growing up in poverty can harm children’s life chances, limit their opportunities, hold them back in education and lead to worsened physical and mental health outcomes.
A recent report by The Food Foundation revealed that the cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated the number of UK children living in food poverty, which is now double what it was a year ago. The report revealed that one in five households reported skipping meals, going hungry, or not eating for a whole day in January 2023, which is up by 12% versus the same period in 2022.
It’s more important than ever that any signs of malnutrition among students are monitored so that necessary interventions can be made to support vulnerable children.
The detrimental effects of malnutrition on children
Malnutrition has both short and long-term negative effects on a child’s health and development. As outlined in the Food for Thought report by Save the Children, children who are malnourished early in life are severely disadvantaged in their ability to learn, as they are 19% less likely to be able to read a simple sentence aged 8, and 12% less likely to be able to write a simple sentence than healthy children.
Furthermore, it is estimated that childhood malnutrition has the potential to cut future earnings by at least 20% – highlighting that the effects of malnutrition can last well into adulthood and affect a pupil’s long-term quality of life. Speaking in an interview with Sky News about the impact of food poverty as a result of the cost-of-living crisis on children’s learning, Dersingham headteacher Lando Du Plooy explained:
“You can’t teach children on empty bellies, you can’t make any impact on their teaching and learning if the children are hungry.”
Not only is the impact of malnutrition a potential risk to the development of children in the long-term, but it can also be an indicator of wider safeguarding concerns, such as abuse or neglect. Identifying these signs early is crucial in providing a complete and proactive approach to safeguarding children in schools.
Spotting the signs of malnourishment in schools
Given the potential long-term implications that poor nutrition can have on children, it’s vital that any signs of poor nutrition or potential neglect are not overlooked. Here are some of the key indicators to look out for:
- Fatigue and loss of energy
Children who are malnourished may struggle with low energy levels and may appear to be overly tired in school.
- Weight loss
Rapid or sudden weight loss in children can be a sign of malnutrition or dietary concerns that may need to be addressed.
- Delayed development
Poor nutrition can also affect a child’s cognitive and social-emotional development, which can lead to delays in them reaching developmental milestones.
- Poor concentration
Children who are malnourished may struggle to concentrate in class, making it harder for them to learn and retain information.
- Mood changes
Malnutrition can also affect a child’s mood, leading to increased irritability and even feelings of anxiety and depression.
Food insecurity and malnutrition can arise as a symptom of poverty, or even neglect, however once identified, appropriate action can be taken and support provided to keep children safe.
How can safeguarding software help?
Knowing what signs to look out for that might indicate a student is malnourished is important, but it’s also fundamental that these signs are logged efficiently to prevent cases from escalating.
CPOMS Safeguarding software can be used to help identify whether a child is suffering from poor nutrition as it allows you to pull together reports which highlight patterns and trends. The software allows you to create your own personalised categories to log welfare concerns related to malnutrition. CPOMS also has a customisable body maps tool which allows you to easily log and pinpoint any physical signs that a child may be malnourished, such as a noticeable dramatic weight loss. This can greatly help in identifying and evidencing any emerging patterns which may indicate whether a student requires intervention.
By inputting these concerns using CPOMS, patterns can be spotted and interventions can be made much more quickly. For example, CPOMS could help to identify if a child is frequently coming into school fatigued and hungry, or just on the days when they are staying with a certain family member. With the current cost-of-living crisis showing no signs of improving, and with more children than ever at risk of food poverty, it is critical that schools have the right systems in place to be able to easily report signs of poor nutrition and ensure that students’ wellbeing concerns are monitored.
To find out more about how CPOMS can help you to monitor signs of poor nutrition and other wellbeing concerns amongst children and young people, contact us today.
