NHS England is rolling out new training for teachers, school nurses and GPs to help them recognise the early warning signs of eating disorders in children and young people. The move aims to ensure concerns are picked up sooner, reducing the risk of young people struggling without support and improving access to specialist care.

The initiative follows a sharp rise in demand for services, with the number of under-18s receiving treatment increasing by almost 40% since before the pandemic. Alongside the training programme, updated national guidance has been published which moves away from relying on body mass index (BMI) alone when deciding whether treatment is needed. Clinicians are instead encouraged to take a broader view, considering behavioural changes, physical health and family worries.

Online learning resources, developed with support from the charity Beat and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, will help professionals working in education and primary care understand how to spot symptoms and refer children for NHS support. Every area of England now has access to a specialist eating disorder service for young people, with most patients beginning treatment within weeks of referral as a result of expanded community-based care.

Health leaders say earlier intervention can prevent conditions such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder from becoming more severe. Beat and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have welcomed the changes, calling for rapid implementation, sufficient staffing and sustained funding. They say the guidance offers a clear framework to improve consistency, tackle inequalities and ensure families receive the right help at the right time.