Peer-reviewed article

Adapt-Ed: co-designing adaptations to a whole school intervention to improve the uptake and impact of food provision in special schools - scoping research for a future trial.

Rebecca O'Connell, Amanda Ludlow, Angus Holford, Laura Hamilton, Louca-Mai Brady et al. · 1 Aug 2026

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Children and young people (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) are more likely to grow up in poverty and be entitled to free school meals than other children. However, they might not eat well at school because their needs aren't always accommodated. There is a need to understand school food provision for children with SEND and how the whole school food environment (WSFE) can be improved to address health inequalities. METHODS: We conducted scoping research and involved public and professional stakeholders in co-producing adaptations to a whole school food approach called Healthy Zones (HZ). The aim was to inform a future proposal to implement and evaluate the Adapt-ed HZ intervention in special schools. The four work packages (WP) (June to November 2024) were: WP1: establish stakeholder groups to co-produce a logic model and HZ adaptations; WP2: scoping reviews of food interventions for CYP with SEND; WP3: analysis of publicly available administrative data and online survey; WP4: ethnographic case studies of three special schools. RESULTS: Working with CYP with SEND, parents, carers and professionals in schools and policy roles, Adapt-Ed has provided a wealth of information to tailor and refine the HZ approach for special schools. It has included extensive public involvement and scoping research to inform future research. The work has led to a draft logic model and outline research plan which have been co-produced with public and professional stakeholders throughout. CONCLUSION: Through this project we have co-produced HZ adaptations and a draft logic model and learned there is a need and demand for Adapt-Ed HZ to enhance WSFEs in special schools and promote children's health and wellbeing. Subject to a feasibility study to refine the research protocol and test data collection methods, a trial is recommended to implement and evaluate the effect of Adapt-Ed HZ on the health and wellbeing of children with SEND.