Building Confidence in Eating Disorder Care: Practical Skills for Social Workers

This interactive 2-hour presentation will build social workers' confidence in identifying, assessing, and responding to eating disorders within generalist mental health settings. Participants will gain practical, evidence-informed skills in early assessment, family engagement, risk identification, and navigating referral pathways and treatment options. A neuroaffirming lens will be incorporated throughout, including consideration of common presentations among neurodivergent young people and evidence-informed adaptations to established eating disorder approaches.

Co-facilitated by an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and a carer with lived experience, the session combines clinical knowledge with personal insights to highlight the importance of timely, compassionate, family-inclusive, and person-centred care. Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies to support effective responses to young people experiencing eating disorders.