The service offers high-quality, evidence-based assessment and treatment for children, young people and their families. It is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of:

• Dietician: Offers advice about food choices and lifestyle
• Consultant Psychiatrist: A senior doctor who has overall responsibility for your care
• Therapists: Talk to you to help make sense of your difficulties and develop positive skills
• Family Therapist: Offers your family a supportive space to talk about their experience.

We can help people with symptoms of:

•    Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
•    Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
•    Binge Eating Disorder (BED) 

Unfortunately, we currently are not able to offer treatment for Restrictive Avoidant Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) but we may support with information about this disorder. 

We work with adults aged between 18-65 who have a registered Luton or Bedfordshire GP and meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder.

New referrals will be received via the Bedfordshire or Luton SPOE (Single point of entry) CAMHS and passed on to the CEDS-CYP. Referrals can be made by GPs, healthcare professionals, schools and colleges.

You will need to complete this CAMHS referral form which has a section on Eating Disorders. Ideally, this will be completed in collaboration with the young person, parent or carer.

This will enable us to decide how best to help the client and their family. Please note that we do not currently accept self-referrals.

All clinicians have relevant professional qualifications and experience working with young people and their families. Members of the team include:

• Dietician: Offers advice about food choices and lifestyle.
• Therapists: Talk to you to help make sense of your difficulties and develop positive skills.
• Family Therapists: Offers your family a supportive space to talk about their experiences.
• Paediatrician: A doctor who specialises in the health of young people.
• Consultant Psychiatrist: A senior doctor who oversees the emotional and physical wellbeing of young people.

We work and listen respectfully and non-judgementally.

When worries about your food, shape and weight get to the point where they affect your behaviour and everyday life, this can be indicative of an eating disorder.

Eating disorders can take many forms and so there are a number of indicators. These may include restricting food intake, excessive eating (bingeing), self-induced vomiting, laxative usage, excessive exercise, worries about body shape and weight, etc.  

Whilst eating disorders can appear to be about food and weight, there are often other contributing factors that can lead to a person having an eating disorder, and these can differ greatly from person to person. 

Often, eating disorders can give a sense of control when other areas of your life seem out of control. However, they can also be very difficult to manage in your everyday life.

If you think that you might have an eating disorder, the most important step forward to take is acknowledging that you may have a problem, as there is help available to you.

When we receive a request for help we will offer you an appointment. When we first meet you we will spend time chatting about what has brought you here.  

You can tell us anything that you like about how you are feeling and what you would like to be different.  We won’t think it is silly or stupid. You may feel worried about talking on your own and may prefer to have a family member with you.

Also, it doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like talking much at an appointment. You can ask as many questions as you like and if we use any complicated words just tell us and we can explain what we mean. We want to work with you to find ways for you to feel better.

We find it helpful to meet other people in the family so we can hear what they think about the difficulty.

Sometimes we only need to meet you a few times, and sometimes it may take longer. We will talk about this with you when you come to see us.

When we receive a request for help we will offer you an appointment.  

At the first appointment we will spend time talking about the reasons you are here.  We will listen to you, you can tell us anything you like about how you are feeling and ask as many questions as you like.  

This is a safe environment and we want to help you.  

We find it helpful to meet other members of your family so we can hear what they think about the difficulty but we will also talk to you separately.  

You may prefer if it is just you at the appointment and this is fine, just let us know.

After the first meeting it might be helpful to speak to your GP, teachers, social worker or other professionals involved with you and your family. We would only do this with your permission.

This is a confidential service. We will only discuss your case with another service if you have given us permission or if we have serious concerns about a young person's safety.

Council Resources and Advice for Young People (Local Offers): 

• Bedford Borough Council
• Central Bedfordshire Counci
• Luton Borough Council

Websites and online resources

• Beat - UK eating disorders charity
• Young Minds - a guide to eating disorders and resources
• The Mix - online resources for under 25s

Helplines

• B-eat Youthline: 0845 634 7650
• ChildLine: 0800 1111

If things are getting worse make an emergency appointment with your family doctor.

If you feel you are in crisis and have concerns about keeping yourself safe, you should be assessed by your doctor or seen in your local A & E department who can then consult with specialist out-of-hours CAMHS staff.