03/09/2026
Young people living in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, and Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin who are at risk of an inpatient admission due to an Eating Disorder are being offered innovative new community-based support aimed at helping them to remain and recover at home.
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) are launching the enhanced community support for young people aged 13-18 with an Eating Disorder living in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent (SSOT) and Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (STW). The service is being commissioned by Toucan, the West Midlands Specialist Provider Collaborative as a two-year pilot.
The pilot is comprised of two elements - a new Day Care Centre and the Eating Disorders Intensive Support at Home service.
The Day Care Centre can accommodate multiple young people from SSOT and STW at the same time, offering a therapeutic environment aimed at restoring physical health and supporting recovery. The centre, which is located at St George’s Hospital in Stafford will be staffed by a dedicated team including Dieticians, Occupational Therapists, Nurses and Support Workers. The staff will be on hand to work with children, young people and their families to address key behavioural issues linked to their Eating Disorder. Online support is also being considered to enable greater access to the service.
It will operate alongside the Eating Disorders Intensive Support at Home service, which provides intensive home treatment in SSOT and STW and helps young people at risk of an inpatient admission by increasing the level of support especially around mealtimes to enable them to remain at home.
A key aim of the pilot is to reduce out-of-area placements and where possible ensure young people can recover at home, supporting the NHS 10 Year Plan’s key shift from hospital to community care and support.
Intensive Support at Home is being delivered in partnership with MPFT and North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust.
Liz Lockett, MPFT Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive said: “We’re really pleased to be offering enhanced support for young people in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, and Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin who are struggling with an Eating Disorder. Speaking as a former Clinical Nurse Specialist in Eating Disorders, it’s something I’m particularly passionate about, so I’m delighted to see this new service up and running.
“Through this pilot, we’re aiming to reduce the possibility of a vulnerable 13-18-year-old and their family potentially needing an out-of-area placement, and instead ensure they can recover at home, surrounded by the people that matter most. An important part of this new service focuses on supporting parents and carers to develop the skills and confidence required to help their child meet their nutritional needs. Of equal importance is the work that will take place with the young person to promote their recovery, including reintegrating them back into school and social life.”
