The National Strategy is a call to action and a roadmap for people who care about and are responsible for improving Australia’s response to eating disorders.  

It is a tool to help people at all levels and in all settings to work in a coordinated and sustained way to achieve a full and coordinated system of care for all.

Based on a depth and breadth of knowledge and ideas from people with lived experience, clinicians, researchers, governments, community providers, service development leaders and public health experts across Australia, the National Strategy is designed to guide sector development and policy development for the next decade. It is a system-building strategy.

Stepped System of Care for Eating Disorders

The stepped system of care for eating disorders depicts the components of care and treatment that people require. Principles and guidelines, lived experience, and research should underpin and inform all components.
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The Development of the National Strategy

Extensive national consultations underpinned the development of the National Eating Disorders Strategy.
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Implementation of the National Strategy

The implementation of the National Strategy will be coordinated by NEDC.
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Your role in the Strategy

Everyone has a role in actioning the National Strategy, including clinicians, managers, researchers, leaders, policy makers, and people with lived experience.
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National Strategy - Lived Experience Stories

These videos have been recorded by people with lived experience to help us better understand the gaps in the system of care and hopes for the National Eating Disorders Strategy.
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Prevention

Eating disorder prevention refers to actions, programs, or policies that aim to reduce modifiable risk factors for eating disorders, and/or bolster protective factors, to reduce the likelihood that a person will experience an eating disorder.
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Identification

Identification refers to the detection of warning signs or symptoms, and engagement with the person who may be experiencing an eating disorder, to support access to an initial response.
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Initial Response

An eating disorders initial response comprises an initial assessment and preliminary diagnosis, providing psychoeducation, and referral to the most appropriate treatment options based on the person’s needs.
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Treatment

Eating disorder treatment refers to evidence-based mental health treatment, in conjunction with medical monitoring and treatment, along with access to nutritional intervention and other services as needed. Treatment can be delivered through digital, telehealth and/or face-to face interventions.
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Psychosocial & Recovery Support

Psychosocial support refers to services and programs which support the broader psychological and social needs of the person experiencing or at risk of an eating disorder and their family/supports and community. Recovery support refers to services and programs which support a person experiencing an eating disorder to engage with or sustain recovery or improved quality of life and assist family/supports and community in their caring role.
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Workforce

There is a need for a workforce of adequate size, skill, and diversity positioned across the system of care to meet the needs of all people at risk of or experiencing an eating disorder and their families/supports and communities. Data-driven, strategic, and coordinated workforce development will enable this to happen.
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National Strategy Evaluation

An evaluation resource has been developed by NEDC to support implementation of the National Eating Disorders Strategy. This evaluation tool has been developed for service leaders, commissioners of services, implementers and local champions.
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National Eating Disorders Strategy Forums

The National Strategy Implementation Forums will support stakeholders to activate and implement the Strategy in their local areas, supporting a sequenced, action-oriented and supported approach to implementing the National Strategy.  
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National Eating Disorders Strategy Q&A

Responses to questions received from stakeholders regarding the implementation of the National Eating Disorders Strategy.
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National Strategy Action Hub

Find out about eating disorder initiatives that have been embedded within local areas to build the system of care.
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Purpose

To articulate the key components, standards and actions that are required to achieve an effective, equitable and coordinated system of care that meets the needs of people experiencing or at risk of eating disorders and their families/supports and communities.

Vision

• Eating disorder care is embedded in the health systems of all states/territories and regions.
• People experiencing or at risk of eating disorders and their families, supports and communities can access an effective, equitable and coordinated system of care.
• The prevalence of eating disorders is reduced, and recovery outcomes and quality of life are improved.

What is included in the National Strategy?

The focus is on defining what is needed in an effective, equitable and coordinated system of care for eating disorders, and on feasible, grounded steps for building it.

The Strategy articulates key components, standards and actions that are required to achieve an effective, equitable and coordinated system of care that meets the needs of people experiencing or at risk of eating disorders and their families/supports and communities.

The National Eating Disorders Strategy provides a clear formulation of the full eating disorders system of care and sets out minimum standards and priority actions to guide system change. In recognition that workforce development is a critical enabler of system change, the National Strategy also sets out workforce minimum standards and priority actions. Outcome evaluation support is also included.

How do I access the National Strategy?

Access the full document here or by clicking on the green box on the right side of the webpage.

Specific content has been developed for each element of the Stepped System of Care: Prevention, Identification, Initial Response, Treatment, and Psychosocial and Recovery Support, as well as Workforce.

How will the National Strategy be actioned?

NEDC will be actively supporting the implementation of the Strategy with collaborative sector initiatives, consultation, and resources. We invite you to read and use the Strategy - read it all or go straight to a specific area of interest in the system of care. How are the standards and actions relevant to your setting/s and responsibilities?

How will the National Strategy be evaluated?

An evaluation resource has been developed by NEDC to support implementation of the National Strategy. This evaluation tool has been developed for service leaders, commissioners of services, implementers and local champions. It provides a menu of options for identifying progress indicators, setting outcome goals and measuring the impact and effectiveness of service/program changes implemented based on the standards and actions outlined within the National Eating Disorders Strategy. 

Access the National Strategy Evaluation Tool here.

How can I keep up to date with implementation of the National Strategy?

You can sign up to be a member of NEDC here. Membership is free. You will receive monthly communications from NEDC about the National Strategy as well as other projects and sector developments.

If you have questions about the Strategy or would like to discuss its implementation in your context, please reach out to our team via nationalstrategy@nedc.com.au