Children’s Health
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UK children deserve better health and prevention services This year’s State of Child Health report exposes worsening outcomes and inequalities across the UK. It calls for urgent investment in child health services to prevent neglect and health risks.
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very child in the UK deserves the best possible start in life. Right now, too many are being denied it.
departments with problems that should have been prevented.
Health issues and inequities faced by children
Professor Steve Turner President, RCPCH
Investing in children early and focusing on prevention
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Paediatricians know how to make Child Health (RCPCH) State of Child children healthy. This includes Every child should have Health 2026 report paints a stark investment in the early years, tackling the chance to grow up picture: on almost every measure that child poverty and ensuring children’s matters — such as infant mortality, health and wellbeing are prioritised happy, healthy and well. obesity, mental health, dental decay, by politicians. If we raise the immunisation rates — outcomes healthiest generation, NHS costs will for children in the UK are stalling be reduced, and all aspects of society or getting worse. These declines are not shared equally; will benefit. children growing up in poverty, in the most deprived That’s why RCPCH is calling on the Government to put communities and from certain ethnic backgrounds are most children’s health at the centre of policymaking. We need impacted. to collect better-quality data on child health and wellbeing This downward trend isn’t inevitable. Instead, it is a direct and commit to meaningful targets to improve their health consequence of more than a decade of underinvestment in and reduce inequalities. Moreover, we must address the community-based services that keep children well and the longstanding inequity in spending between child and failure to provide a healthy environment for all children to adult health services alongside a funded, long-term child thrive in. From health visiting and school nursing to access health workforce strategy. to healthy foods, there is more that can and should be done. Every child should have the chance to grow up Paediatricians on the frontline are seeing the results every happy, healthy and well. The evidence is clear. The moment day, with more children arriving in clinics and emergency to act is now.
Steps for both parent and child to navigate returning to school Children’s return to school or move to secondary school can feel like a big task. Learn how to support your child — and yourself — through this transition.
U Judah Racham Programme Lead, Place2Be
nderstanding why the transition feels hard is a helpful starting point. Some children adapt quickly, while others find a new environment overwhelming. Recognising this can help you respond with empathy rather than pressure.
Managing change and building confidence
Let your child know it’s normal to feel both excited and scared about change. Nerves are part of preparing for something new, and settling in takes time. They may get things wrong or feel unsure at first, and that’s okay. Remind them of past times they coped with change to show them how capable they are. Before term starts, explore any worries together — like friendships, getting lost or homework. Looking at the school website, exploring clubs, visiting the building, shopping for READ MORE AT WWW.HEALTHAWARENESS.CO.UK
uniform and planning the journey are small steps that can help your child feel more confident. Once school has started, check in during calm moments. Listening for how they’re managing friendships and how they feel socially gives you the chance to offer support. Encourage them to meet new friends outside school too, and keep an eye on their online interactions.
Acknowledge your own feelings
Many parents worry about saying the right thing or knowing how much to step in. Remind yourself this isn’t about getting everything perfect on day one; it’s a gradual process. Looking after your own wellbeing will help you stay steady and supportive for your child. With patience, reassurance and practical preparation, you can help your child (and yourself) feel more confident about this new chapter.
Place2Be is a leading children’s mental health charity, delivering expert, embedded, timely mental health support in schools, so every child can thrive. We train and recruit highly qualified mental health professionals into schools, providing children with support where they are and when they need it most. We also support mental health across the whole school through one-to-one counselling, group work with Journey of Hope resilience programmes and Place2Talk, our self-referral service for pupils. Our practitioners also empower parents, carers and staff with practical tools and guidance to help children thrive. Beyond schools, Place2Be offers free access to an online parenting and mental health hub for all families, with expert advice, videos and practical tips on emotions, behaviour and everyday family life: www.parentingsmart.org.uk
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Books can offer children a safe and reassuring way to explore big feelings These picture books from Little Tiger offer an opening to explore conversations around emotional wellbeing with any child.
Help young people build healthier habits with these small snack tweaks
Equip your child to advocate for themselves in the transition from primary to secondary school
As diets among UK teenagers fall short of key nutritional recommendations,1 healthier snacking habits could play an important role in supporting their health long-term.
The move from primary to secondary school is a major milestone – a leap not just in size, but in responsibility.
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or many, snacking is a daily habit. The question is not whether young people snack, but what they are snacking on.
Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf
Getting the right nutrients as they grow
by Craig Barr-Green and Francis Martin
£7.99
An empowering retelling of Little Red Riding Hood about challenging the traditional narratives we are told, with a confident, autistic character at its heart.
I’m Going to Make a Friend by Darren Chetty and Sandhya Prabhat
£7.99 Moving neighbourhood comes with many challenges, especially making new friends. How long will it take? Will they play how I want to play? Will they hug me when I'm sad, or give me space? So many questions!
My Thoughts and Me by Nima Patel and Cally Johnson-Isaacs
£7.99
Snacking itself is not necessarily bad for children’s health. What matters is the overall balance and nutritional quality of the food and drinks they consume. Young people are going through a period of rapid growth and development; healthier snacks can provide important nutrients. This is the thinking behind Snack-tember, a campaign from the British Nutrition Foundation that encourages schools, families and young people to rethink snacking and discover simple ways to make healthier choices.
Benefits of fibre
According to the latest national dietary survey, only one in 10 young people aged 11–18 are getting their ‘5 A Day.’ Only 4% (on average) have their recommended 25g of fibre each day, and many have more than double the maximum recommended amount of free sugars.1 Including vegetables, fruit and fibre is key for healthy snacks. Fruit and vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals, which contribute to key functions in the body, such as that of the immune system and brain. Fibre, from foods such as wholegrains, beans and fruit and vegetables, is important for gut health. Fibre also has other functions, such as helping reduce the risk of heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes. Some types of fibre can even act as food for beneficial bacteria in our digestive system.
Schools’ role in healthy eating
Schools play a key role in equipping children and young people to make informed food choices. Campaigns such as Snack-tember provide schools with practical resources and activities that make healthy eating engaging and achievable, helping translate nutrition knowledge into everyday habits. With many young people missing out on key nutrients needed for growth, development and long-term health, healthier snacking is more than a small dietary tweak. Initiatives like Snack-tember can help make healthier choices the easy choices. gov.uk. 2025. National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023. Official statistics. tinyurl.com/3umr239n. 1
We all have difficult thoughts sometimes, but we don't have to believe them. An inclusive exploration of strategies for managing troubling thoughts and negative self-talk for young readers. To order these and any other books from Little Tiger please visit
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Claire Theobald Education Services Manager, British Nutrition Foundation
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young person must navigate a larger school, manage a busy timetable, travel more independently and make their own choices, including which foods to eat. For those living with allergies, this shift adds responsibility, making parents’ role more important than ever.
Establishing an open dialogue with the new school
Parents can use Benedict’s Law as a template for conversations with the school. How are safe food choices managed across the day? What allergy training do all staff receive? Is there a clear emergency response plan? Parents should confirm how and when adrenaline devices are carried and accessed and ensure an up-to-date Individual Healthcare Plan is in place for their child. This information gathering is not about worry, but empowerment. Knowledge builds confidence for both parent and young person. Alongside this, the most important preparation happens at home. Confidence is not built in one conversation, but through many small, regular discussions. Role modelling safe behaviours such as checking ingredients, asking questions and explaining their allergy to them helps normalise these actions and gives children the tools and language to use.
Empowering children in advocating for themselves
Practising simple future scenarios can make a real difference: how to tell a friend about an allergy, how to ask staff for reassurance or how to explain the need to carry medication and what to do if they are at the bus stop or in the park with friends. Giving young people the words to use helps them find their voice. Emotional wellbeing is equally important. This transition can feel daunting and reassurance matters. Every young person will advocate for themselves differently, and this should be respected and supported. Finally, parents should remember they are not alone. Charities, local allergy teams, school nurses, plus wellbeing or psychology services offer valuable advice and support. With preparation, open communication and a strong support network, young people can enter this next stage ready not just to cope, but to confidently advocate for themselves in a bigger world.
Anne Biggs Deputy Head of Clinical Services, Allergy UK
Learn more about supporting children in their transition to secondary school on allergyuk.org and for more on Benedict’s Law, visit: tinyurl.com/4t29xu6v
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Why back-to-school preparation is crucial for severe allergy management Children with severe allergies are at risk of life-threatening anaphylaxis. Parents and teachers should have robust action plans in place and know what to do in an emergency.
Prof Nick Makwana Consultant Paediatrician (Paediatric Allergy), Department of Child Health, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals
Dr Helen Evans-Howells GP and Allergy Specialist, Dr Helen Allergy
Rebecca Batt Paediatric Allergy Nurse Consultant, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
response. “Every child deserves to learn in a safe environment where staff are confident and prepared to act in an emergency,” says Professor Makawana. Every child with severe allergies should have an up-todate action plan outlining their allergens, medication and Anaphylaxis is a potentially lifeemergency response steps. threatening condition Parents should also check that If you’re worried that a child may be their child’s school or nursery Every child deserves to learn in a has its own robust, up-to-date in the early stages of anaphylaxis, don’t wait for their symptoms to safe environment where staff are allergy action plan. Even with get worse. Take rapid action. “You Benedict’s Law coming into confident and prepared to act in force, don’t assume they have might not know if a child is having a mild or severe allergic reaction,” one. an emergency. says Professor Nick Makwana, Dr Evans-Howell advises Consultant Paediatrician (Paediatric parents to show their child’s Allergy), Department of Child Health, action plan to the class Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals. “Treat it as teacher (in the case of primary schools), school nurse and anaphylaxis, give them adrenaline straight away and then healthcare team (in the case of secondary schools). “Tell call 999. In an emergency, you don’t have time to make a them: ‘These are my child’s allergies, and this is what it perfect diagnosis.” might look like if they have an allergic reaction’,” she says. “Have a conversation with them. Find out how they will Symptoms that indicate anaphylaxis keep your child safe in the classroom, cooking lessons, play It would help parents and teachers to understand the times, on school trips, etc.” difference between mild and severe allergy symptoms, says Dr Helen Evans-Howells, GP and Allergy Specialist at Dr Why children should carry two adrenaline devices Helen Allergy clinic. Mild symptoms are usually visible and Rebecca Batt, Paediatric Allergy Nurse Consultant, Guy’s and can include a rash, lip swelling and itchiness. St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, also recommends asking Severe symptoms can affect the airway, breathing and where the school stores adrenaline. “Adrenaline devices need circulation. “Recognise ‘ABC’,” she says. “That’s Airway (a to be kept in a safe, unlocked storage area,” she says. swollen tongue, throat, upper airway, trouble swallowing), Parents should ensure their child is carrying two Breathing (wheezing, fast breathing) and Circulation adrenaline devices with them at all times — and not just (looking pale, feeling drowsy, loss of consciousness). It’s because there will be a back-up in case one fails. “It’s about noticing those early signs, having the confidence to primarily because the effects of adrenaline can be shortact — and administering adrenaline immediately.” lived,” says Batt. “A second dose may be needed. Also, don’t Adrenaline is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. forget to check the expiry date of the medication because “That’s because it opens up the airway,” explains Professor adrenaline devices can go out of date quickly.” Makwana. “It also supports the blood pressure by tightening Some children, particularly teenagers, may feel selfup the blood vessels and counteracts many of the body’s conscious about carrying their adrenaline devices, which allergic responses that occur during a reaction.” However, if can be bulky. “I always emphasise how important it is for given too late, symptoms may rapidly worsen and move to a their health,” says Professor Makwana. “Their device gives point beyond reversal. them greater independence because if the worst happens, they’ll have the medicine to reverse symptoms.”
GB-NPR-2600086 August 2026
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dolescence is a high-risk period for severe or fatal anaphylaxis, driven by poor carriage, lack of confidence or delayed adrenaline use as they worry about being seen as different from their peers.1
Paid for by ALK
Find out more at
Collaborate effectively with schools and nurseries WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway
This September, Benedict’s Law comes into force and requires all schools in England to demonstrably improve their allergy awareness, prevention and emergency
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Vazquez-Ortiz M.,et al. Allergy. 2020; 75(8):1850-1880; Kachru, R. J Food Allergy. 2020, 2(1):95
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Supporting children in their secondary school transition Thousands of 11-year-olds are navigating their first days of secondary school this September. Transitioning from primary school to year seven is more than a change of uniform; it’s a major emotional milestone.
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solutions. This helps children learn important life skills, build independence and feel more confident. Transition can understandably be exhausting. Children need to relax and get enough sleep. Eleven-year-olds need nine to 12 hours of sleep. Establishing routine helps children build in time for familiar family activities and time with friends.
hildren are moving from being the oldest in their primary school, with familiar classrooms, routines and teachers, to being the youngest in a large secondary school. They’ll need to get used to new routines, teachers and moving between Many children believe they’re classrooms. There’s a lot to take in, and it can be unsettling for even the the only ones feeling nervous, so most confident child.
Practical preparation matters
Much of year seven worries stem from the unknowns, like getting lost, being late or not being told it’s okay to feel worried knowing anyone. Once school Importance of better starts, it can be useful to review in new situations helps. communication their timetable with them and Better communication between encourage them to make a list parents and children is important. of daily necessities. An evening Find a time when they’re most relaxed to ask about their routine of checking their school planner, preparing their day. Balancing being interested but not pushy is important. uniform and packing their bag could also help. Children need time to reflect, process and settle at their own Most pupils settle over the first few weeks, but parents pace. should watch for ongoing worry. Some children express Normalising worry is one of the most effective supports. worry through symptoms like morning headaches, stomach Many children believe they’re the only ones feeling aches, feeling sick and sleep changes. Some might try to nervous, so being told it’s okay to feel worried in new avoid school or become withdrawn. Early contact with situations helps. Listen to them and reassure them you can pastoral staff can prevent small worries from escalating. work through these together rather than rushing in with Your local school nursing service can also provide support.
Sallyann Sutton, RGN, SCPHN,MSc, QN Professional Officer-SAPHNA (School and Public Health Nurses Association)
Simple is safest: what parents need to know about baby sleep and feeding products Rebecca Guy, Senior Policy Manager, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), offers guidance to new parents about creating a safe sleep environment and feeding practices for their baby. Which baby sleep products should parents be cautious about, and why?
Rebecca Guy Senior Policy Manager, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
Paid for by RoSPA
Rebecca Guy (RG): Parents should be cautious of products marketed as helping babies sleep longer, more comfortably or in a particular position. This includes sleep positioners, pillows and cushions, as well as baby sleeping bags that do not meet the relevant British safety standard. Some products can increase the risk of suffocation or overheating, despite being marketed as sleep aids. Products designed to keep babies in a particular position are not recommended for sleep. The safest sleep space is a simple one, with no unnecessary items around the baby.
Why are hands-free bottle holders and self-feeding cushions not recommended? WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway
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RG: Products that hold a baby’s bottle or allow feeding without direct supervision may appear convenient, but they can present safety risks. Babies should always be supervised
while feeding, as they may struggle to manage the flow of milk. Someone should be nearby if the baby comes into difficulty while feeding. No product can replace an attentive adult during feeding, and parents should be wary of products marketed as making feeding easier by reducing supervision.
Are products sold online always safe?
RG: Not necessarily. Many products are available through online marketplaces and overseas sellers, but availability does not guarantee that the product is suitable or safe. We recommend researching products carefully and being cautious of claims that a product will improve sleep or allow a baby to safely feed independently.
How can parents identify safer baby products? RG: Parents should look for recognised safety markings, such
as the CE or UKCA mark where applicable, but never assume a product is safe simply because it is available to buy. Always follow safe sleep and feeding guidance, and check that the product you plan to buy aligns with this.
What does a safe sleep environment look like for a baby? RG: For sleep, babies need very little. A cot, moses basket or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress and fitted waterproof sheet is usually all that is required. Babies should always be placed on their back to sleep. A blanket that is securely tucked in or a baby sleeping bag that meets the relevant British safety standard can be used as appropriate. Pillows, sleep positioners, cushions and other unnecessary accessories should be kept out of the sleep space.
Find out more at
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