NEDA TOOLKIT for Educators
The school and student of concern
• If appropriate, involve the student in
conversations with his/her parents/families.
• If possible, negotiate an agreement with the
student to enable open communication with
parents/families. • Consider what steps you are able and willing
to take in relation to duty-of-care if a student
requests that parent(s) not be informed.
• Consider what action you are permitted to take
if parents/ families deny there is a problem and
you feel the student is in crisis.
• Specify who at the school will be a family
liaison so that the family has the opportunity
to develop a supportive relationship with a
school staff member. The school psychologist,
counselor, or equivalent is generally the most
appropriate person to communicate with
parents/families. • Be clear about the support the school can offer
and the services available through the school.
• Follow up oral conversations with a written
summary of the conversation and action
steps agreed upon, and send the summary to
the parent/family member to check mutual
understanding of what was discussed.
• Follow up on the agreed-upon action steps
within an established timeframe.
• Focus on the general wellbeing of the student,
rather than concerns about an eating disorder,
if the topic appears to be sensitive.
• Ask the family member what kind of support
would be helpful. This may provide useful
information about how to proceed, and it may
also facilitate a sense of trust and safety with
the family.
• Try to decide collaboratively on the next steps
the school will take with the student and
family. Page | 25