CareServices

Brief overview of the service and its purpose

• The domiciliary eating disorder service provides specialized in-home support for individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and a typical eating disorder. The primary purpose of the service is to assist and support clients during mealtimes in their home environment, reducing stress and pressure around eating.
• The service adopts a person-centred approach, working collaboratively with clients to develop personalized care plans tailored to their specific needs and recovery goals. It aims to promote self-directed recovery, empowering individuals to build a meaningful life beyond their eating disorder.
• The domiciliary eating disorder service bridges the gap between inpatient and outpatient care, offering intensive support in a familiar home setting. It aims to improve eating behaviours, nutritional intake, and facilitate recovery while reducing disruptions to daily life.
• Overall, the purpose is to provide specialized, multidisciplinary eating disorder treatment within the client’s home environment, promoting recovery through personalized, supportive care.
• We understand that eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect not only physical well-being but also emotional and psychological aspects of a person’s life. Our mission is to help clients develop a healthier relationship with food and their bodies while addressing the underlying issues contributing to disordered eating behaviours.

Aims and Objectives
Aims

• To provide specialized, intensive eating disorder treatment and support within the client’s home environment.
• To promote self-directed recovery by empowering individuals to build a meaningful life beyond their eating disorder.
• To adopt a person-centred, collaborative approach tailored to each client’s specific needs and recovery goals.
• To bridge the gap between inpatient and outpatient care, offering a step-down or step-up level of support as needed.

Objectives

• Offer in-home meal support and supervised eating to improve eating behaviours, reduce mealtime anxiety, and ensure nutritional rehabilitation.
• Provide a range of evidence-based psychological therapies (CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, etc.) adapted for domiciliary delivery.
• Deliver comprehensive multidisciplinary care through a team of professionals like dietitians, therapists, nurses, and support workers.
• Educate clients and families about eating disorders, nutrition, coping strategies, and healthy eating habits.
• Collaborate closely with the client’s GP, mental health services, and other care providers for coordinated treatment.
• Offer family/caregiver support, including education, counselling, and involvement in the treatment process when appropriate.
• Monitor physical health risks associated with eating disorders and ensure safe medical management.
• Facilitate a smooth transition between different levels of care (inpatient, outpatient, domiciliary) for continuity of support.
• Promote long-term recovery by equipping clients with skills and strategies to maintain progress after discharge.

Services
Team of Support Staff
In-Home Meal Support and Supervised Eating:

• Providing specialised assistance and support during mealtimes in the client’s home environment.
• Supervising and monitoring meals to improve eating behaviours, reduce anxiety, and ensure adequate nutritional intake.
• Creating a supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere during mealtimes.
• Therapeutic Interventions:
• Delivering support interventions such as body image work and support for managing anxiety related to eating disorders, under the supervision of qualified professionals.
• Assisting with the implementation of evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and family-based approaches.
• Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Team:
• Working closely with the multidisciplinary team, including dietitians, nurses, therapists, and social workers, to ensure coordinated care.
• Communicating regularly with the team, providing updates on the client’s progress, and receiving guidance on care plans.
• Family/Caregiver Support:
• Liaising with family members and caregivers, providing them with support and education about eating disorders.
• Facilitating communication between the client and their family during the recovery process.

Care Plan Implementation:

• Assisting in the implementation of care plans developed by registered practitioners, such as nurses or therapists.
• Carrying out practical tasks and interventions outlined in the care plan, under supervision.

Monitoring and Documentation:

• Monitoring the client’s physical environment and providing feedback to registered practitioners on any concerns or potential hazards.
• Contributing to the documentation of care delivery, including maintaining accurate and contemporaneous written clinical records.

Promoting Recovery:

• Supporting recovery outcomes by encouraging the client’s engagement in normal aspects of life and the development of alternative coping strategies.
• Assisting in the coordination of care delivery and facilitating access to community resources as needed.

Team Registered Nurses:
Physical Health Monitoring and Risk Assessment:

• Conducting regular physical health assessments, including vital signs, weight monitoring, and evaluating medical stability.
• Assessing and managing medical risks associated with eating disorders, such as electrolyte imbalances, cardiac complications, and refeeding syndrome.
• Utilizing guidelines like the Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders (MEED) to assess and respond to acute medical risks.

Nutritional Rehabilitation and Meal Support:

• Collaborating with dietitians to support nutritional rehabilitation plans and supervised mealtimes.
• Assisting with meal planning, preparation, and monitoring food intake and behaviours during mealtimes.
• Providing education and support to clients and families regarding healthy eating habits and addressing mealtime challenges.
• Therapeutic Interventions:
• Delivering evidence-based psychological interventions like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and family-based therapies under the supervision of qualified professionals.
• Facilitating therapeutic groups focused on topics such as body image, coping strategies, and relapse prevention.

Care Plan Implementation and Coordination:

• Implementing individualised care plans developed by the multidisciplinary team, including registeredpractitioners and therapists.
• Coordinating care with other healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists, therapists, and dietitians,to ensure a comprehensive approach.

Family/Caregiver Support and Education:

• Providing education and support to families and caregivers regarding eating disorders, treatment approaches, and strategies for supporting their loved ones.
• Facilitating communication and collaboration between clients, families, and the care team.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintaining accurate and detailed clinical records, documenting assessments, interventions, and progress notes.
• Reporting any concerns or changes in the client’s condition to the appropriate healthcare professionals.

Advocacy and Support:

• Advocating for the rights, dignity, and well-being of clients with eating disorders throughout the treatment process.
• Offering emotional support, encouragement, and motivation to clients as they navigate the recovery journey

Service User Groups
Our domiciliary (in-home) eating disorder care service typically targets the following service user
groups:

• Individuals with anorexia nervosa – characterised by restrictive eating, intense fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image.
• Individuals with bulimia nervosa – characterised by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours like purging, excessive exercise, or laxative abuse.
• Individuals with binge eating disorder – characterised by recurrent episodes of binge eating without compensatory behaviours.
• Individuals with other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED) – where symptoms do not fully meet the criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder, but still cause significant distress or impairment.
• Individuals with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) – characterised by a persistent failure to meet nutritional needs due to lack of interest in eating, avoidance of certain foods, or sensory issues with food.

In terms of age restrictions and eligibility criteria:

• Our domiciliary services cater to aged 12 and above. Individuals must be medically stable enough to receive support in a home setting
• The overarching goal is to provide specialized in-home care for individuals across the eating disorder spectrum, tailoring services to their specific age, diagnosis, and clinical needs within a supportive home environment.

Service Philosophy and Principles
Person-Centred Care

• This approach recognizes that every person is unique, with their own emotional, social, and practicalneeds beyond just their medical condition. Care plans are tailored to the individual’s preferences,values, and circumstances through active listening and involving them in decision-making.

Self-Directed Recovery

• This involves fostering self-management skills, promoting shared decision-making, and providingresources to help clients take control of their recovery journey.

Non-Judgmental and Compassionate Approach

• Individuals with eating disorders should be treated with empathy, without stigma or bias, recognizing their inherent worth and dignity. The service creates a caring environment that promotes trust and emotional well-being.
• The philosophy and principles of immediate social care limited include the following:
• To embrace equality, value differences and treat all customers equally.
• To be open, honest, polite, caring and respectful.
• To respect the rights of the individual.
• To support diversity, including cultural, ethnic, religious differences and differences based on sexual orientation.
• To safeguard adults by maintaining their dignity and adhering to all regulations and policies.
• To maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• To consult, discuss and explain any important decisions that may affect the service user(s).
• To inform the service user(s), their family or partner regarding any decisions that may affect them.
• To empower the service user(s) to have a real say in their care plan and to fulfil their personal aspirations.
• To encourage the service user(s) to improve their life by providing opportunities to develop new skills and acquire knowledge.

Monitoring and Quality Assurance
Regular evaluations, feedback mechanisms, and continuous improvement efforts.

Partnerships and Collaborations

• At Immediate Social Care, we understand that providing high-quality, person-centred care requires a collaborative approach. We actively work in partnership with a wide range of community organizations, support services, and other care providers to ensure our clients receive comprehensive and coordinated care.
• Our commitment to collaborative partnerships allows us to leverage the expertise and resources of various organizations, enabling us to address the diverse needs of our clients more effectively. By fostering strong relationships with community groups, advocacy organizations, and specialized support services, we can connect our clients with valuable resources and additional support systems.
• Furthermore, we closely collaborate with other care providers, such as healthcare professionals, therapists, and social workers, to ensure seamless care transitions and continuity of services. This integrated approach ensures that our clients’ needs are met holistically, and their care plans are consistently implemented across different settings.

Through these collaborative partnerships, we strive to create a supportive network that empowers ourclients and their families, promoting their overall well-being and quality of life. 

We believe that by working together with various stakeholders, we can deliver truly comprehensive and person-centred
care that meets the unique needs of each individual we serve. 

At Immediate Social Care, we are dedicated to fostering strong partnerships and fostering a collaborative spirit, as we believe that together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients and the communities we serve.