Request for Information (RFI) from Health Education England for Supplementary training for clinicians not specialising in Eating Disorders and for Parents, careers and loved ones of those suffering with eating disorders through England.

The COVID pandemic has led to a large increase in the numbers of referrals with eating disorders from children and young adults. The lockdown has had an impact on their mental wellbeing an eating disorder being presented with many new cases and relapses.

Parents, partners siblings and carers have experienced children and young adults presenting different behaviours and signal during lockdown and throughout the pandemic and felt isolated through government measures and face to face services closed and schools and clubs closed.

As part of the increased numbers there have been an increased number of cases from children and young adults being presented outside of mental health services such as A&E, Primary care, weight management services and dental services.

As a result, the HEE National CYP team have been working with regional leads to understand the impact of covid in local communities and how these local services are managing under the increased numbers of referrals.

Through assessing the local services being offered by communities and evaluating the gaps in the current provision we have identified the urgent need to support clinicians in non eating disorders services and increase the rate of prevention of eating disorder developing.

Again, through providing parents and carers with skills and knowledge needed to support a loved one suffering from an eating disorder and to assist them in recovery and minimise any lapses. The training is hoped through early intervention would reduce the chance of the require further interventions placed on a severely strained and impacted system.

The deadline for responses to the RFI is Friday, 14th January at midday.

For the RFI form, instruction for submission and to ask any questions please visit HEE’s e-tendering portal as ed below. Registration is free of charge.