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Family and Carer Support

Supporting someone who is struggling with eating, food, or body image can feel confusing, emotional, and overwhelming.

You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Families and carers play a crucial role in supporting recovery and well-being, and it’s important that you feel informed, confident, and supported in that role.

We support families or carers of young people from age 10 and over.

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How challenges can show up

Families and carers often notice changes in eating, mood, or behaviour that may feel concerning or difficult to make sense of.

These can include:

  • Noticeable changes in eating patterns (e.g. eating less than usual, skipping meals, or becoming more rigid with food choices)
  • Increased anxiety, distress, or withdrawal around mealtimes
  • Avoidance of eating with family or in social situations
  • Heightened focus on food, calories, or “healthy” eating rules
  • Eating in secret (empty wrappers in rubbish bin or bedroom)
  • Wearing baggy clothing and/or avoiding social situations
  • Changes in mood such as irritability, anxiety, low mood, or withdrawal
  • Increased secrecy around food or eating habits
  • Noticeable changes in weight, energy levels, or physical wellbeing

It is important to remember that you don’t need to be certain that there is a problem before seeking support as early guidance can be helpful.

How we support you

Our dietitians provide guidance, education, and collaborative support tailored to your family’s situation.

Support may include:

  • Helping you to understand eating disorder behaviours and food challenges
  • Supporting regular nourishment and mealtimes
  • Navigating food-related stress and communication challenges
  • Building confidence in your supportive role
  • Emotional support for carers and family members

In many cases, we begin with a parent or carer session to better understand the situation and determine the most supportive way forward. At that stage, we decide whether involving your loved one would be helpful immediately or later.

Who this support may help

We work with families and carers who:

  • Are concerned about changes in a young person’s eating or nutrition
  • Feel unsure how to respond to food refusal, restriction, or distress around meals
  • Want guidance on providing supportive structure around eating
  • Are navigating eating disorder treatment or recovery alongside a loved one
  • Feel worried, exhausted, or uncertain about how best to help
  • Would like practical strategies and reassurance at home

Supporting your young person doesn’t require having all the answers.
Often, it’s the small, consistent moments; how you respond and the environment you help create, that can gently support change over time.

Finding the right support for you and your family

If you’re looking for guidance around how to support your young person, we offer a space to explore what might feel most helpful for your family.

You can click below if you feel you would like to learn more about our approach or reach out to start a discussion.

Explore our approach