PROGRAM

Our vision is to have a teacher who is specially trained, and supported, to lead conversations and champion initiatives that transform the lives of students who are suffering in silence.

Ambassador Training Program

Our Ambassador Program Aims:

To provide staff with the language to communicate with and about young people with eating disorders in a safe and supportive way.
To provide staff with the ability to identify the signs and symptoms of eating disorders in young people
To assist staff in identifying the myths and misconceptions of eating disorders.
To train and develop school staff to be conscious, reliable, supportive and relevant ambassadors for young people with eating disorders.

Target Audience:

High School and Primary School staff. This could include homeroom teachers, year level coordinators, camp coordinators, wellbeing teachers and students services.

We recommend appointing one Ambassador per year level (e.g., a year level coordinator) or per a certain number of students, with flexibility to adapt based on each school's specific needs and context.

Rationale:

A 2 hour professional development program will provide time for staff in schools to develop skills and knowledge to proactively and safely support young people with eating disorders. The program is designed to give staff time to practice, receive feedback and have a clear plan to integrate the learnings within their school. Formal support for staff who complete this program will continue for another 2 hour session after the 2 hour program.

Ambassador Support Program

Our Ambassador Support Program Aims:

To follow up on key strategies from the Eating Disorder Ambassador Program.
To discuss case scenarios and practical responses.
To deepen understanding of school policies and procedures related to eating disorders.
To explore additional ways to support students who may be suffering in silence—and their families.
To participate in an extended Q&A session to address specific challenges or questions

Structure:

This support program consists of one 2-hour session delivered after the initial 2-hour Professional Development (Eating Disorder Ambassador Program). HNS will work collaboratively with each school to tailor the session to its unique context. In some cases, the session may be facilitated in person.

“This is a wonderful, pragmatic e-book that pulls together key resources for people with eating disorders, their families and supporters. It makes sense of the sometimes confusing terms in eating disorders, gives practical guidance on how to approach and support someone who may have an eating disorder, and importantly, talks about how carers can take care of themselves.A must for anyone caring for a young person with an eating disorder.”

Professor Harriet Hiscock, Paediatrician (The Royal Children’s Hospital)