Recent reports reveal that a quarter of children are starting school without being fully toilet trained. This situation forces teachers to spend up to 2.5 hours daily assisting children who are not ready for school. Initial media coverage focused on blaming parents for their children’s lack of readiness. However, this perspective overlooks a critical issue: the dwindling support available to parents.
Funding Cuts and Support Gaps
Toilet training challenges have grown more complex due to various social and economic factors. The decline in health visiting services, combined with reduced capacity, means less support and guidance is available to families. The pandemic and recent cuts to essential children’s services have exacerbated these issues, potentially harming children’s health and education if not addressed promptly.
Financial Strain on Services
Children’s services nationwide are under severe financial pressure. The Local Government Association reported in December 2023 that there is a £4 billion funding shortfall expected over the next two years. Alarmingly, £4 out of every £5 in additional spending is allocated to late intervention services.
Many children struggling with potty training have underlying conditions like constipation, soiling, or daytime wetting. Delayed toilet training often means these conditions go undetected, leading to long-term health issues requiring specialist care. With many NHS trusts lacking dedicated children’s bladder and bowel services, and restrictions imposed by COVID-19, families who cannot afford private care face significant barriers. This creates a postcode lottery for access to adequate support.
Charity Response
ERIC, The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity, has seen a surge in calls to its helpline from parents dealing with toilet training issues as their children approach school age. In response, ERIC has launched a campaign this summer to provide additional support and advice to families, aiming to improve readiness for school.
Long-Term Implications
Unresolved bladder and bowel issues can affect a child’s physical and mental health. Chronic problems can lead to kidney, bowel, or bladder damage. Studies indicate that children with continence difficulties are at higher risk for anxiety, depression, and underachievement in school. These issues can also stress family relationships and finances.
Need for Integrated Services
The Paediatric Continence Forum’s Children’s Continence Commissioning Guide advocates for comprehensive community bladder and bowel services for children from birth to 18. Such services should include assessment, treatment, and support for delayed toilet training.
Currently, charities like ERIC are stepping in to fill gaps that ideally should be covered by public health services. Proper funding for children’s bladder and bowel services could prevent many problems before they escalate, saving both money and emotional distress for families.
Looking Forward
The Labour Party’s commitment to focusing on children’s health is a positive step. To address the toilet training crisis effectively, it is crucial to move beyond blaming parents and ensure that local services are adequately resourced to support children’s needs before problems become severe.