EDV’s Carer Coaching Program is a structured, eight-week program designed to get families off to a good start in supporting their young person’s recovery from a restrictive eating disorder.

The program was developed by EDV as an innovative response to the increase in young people needing eating disorder treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program activates families to effectively care for their young person while they are waiting to enter formal Family Based Treatment.

Participants in the program are primary care givers (usually parents) of someone aged 18 or under. Their loved one is currently on a waitlist for treatment, usually at a CAMHS or CYMHS service. Participants attend up to eight weekly online sessions prior to commencing treatment with their specialist clinical team. These sessions will run for 60 minutes and carers will leave feeling more empowered and confident in their caring role.

Our Carer Coaches have lived experience of supporting their young person through to recovery from an eating disorder. They also bring a wealth of collective experience from their ongoing peer support work with other families. They are not clinicians, but they bring the expertise and skills they have gained throughout their own journey, to support your family.

Families will feel empowered by gaining knowledge about eating disorders and learning actions they can take to support recovery, prior to beginning formal clinical treatment.

Feedback from participants highlights how valuable the coaching sessions are:

“The carer coaching has been an invaluable tool in navigating a daunting and overwhelming circumstance that a parent finds themselves in. The eight week program is a good length of time and contains significant amounts of information.”

“…real world experience and in-depth knowledge of FBT and the disorder gave us tremendous confidence and reassurance during this challenging time.”

“It is true support from someone who has been in your shoes. I have been so impressed with the level of understanding, care and knowledge I have gained by doing these sessions.”

• The person with the eating disorder must be under the care of a GP or pediatrician.
• You are the carer/s of a young person (under 19) who is experiencing a restrictive eating disorder.
• The young person with the eating disorder is on a wait list for formal treatment.
• You are able to commit to weekly sessions (up to 8) until formal treatment commences.
• You are a Victorian resident.

Our responsibility

• Our Carer Coaches are experts by experience. We are not clinicians.
• We cannot provide service or clinical recommendations and all of our information should be regarded as adjunct to, not a replacement for, clinical treatment.
• We will keep your information confidential (the EDV privacy guidelines can be found on our website).
• Our Carer Coaches receive support and supervision.

Your responsibility

Please provide us with 24 hours notice if you cannot attend your scheduled appointment.

How much does the program cost?

This program is free, thanks to the support of the Victorian Government.

What if our formal treatment appointment arrives before we have completed the 8-week Carer Coaching Program?

You can finish the Carer Coaching program at any time during the 8-week period. We will provide an exit meeting to ensure that you leave feeling informed and well supported.

Who else can attend the Carer Coaching Program 8-week course with me?

Any primary carer is welcome, but would need to attend the entire course.

How are the appointment dates organised?

You will work together with your Carer Coach to book mutually convenient times for your appointments. Appointments will be for up to 60 minutes, on a Tuesday or Wednesday between the hours of 9.30am and 4pm.

What if I need help between appointments or if the waiting period for treatment is over 8-weeks?

EDV have a broad level of support available to you. Call the EDV Hub, Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.30pm on 1300 550 236 or the Butterfly Foundation 7 days per week, 8am-midnight on 1800 334 673.

If you are interested in joining the Carer Coaching Program, please complete the registration form provided below and one of our Carer Coaches will get in touch.

For further questions about the program, please reach out to us at [email protected] or phone 1300 550 236.

If you’re not eligible for the Carer Coaching Program, please explore the other support options that EDV has on offer.

EDV offer a range of programs and resources for carers, families and loved ones, including:

• EDV Hub – free, confidential information, service system navigation and support
• Telehealth Counselling: Carers – Up to five free 30-45 minute sessions with a trained mental health worker, to help carers talk through and manage their carer role and own wellbeing. 
• Telehealth Nurse – free service to assist carers with accessing treatment for a loved one, locating specialised eating disorder services and health professionals and provide information and support to help people work towards recovery. 
• UPSKILL Carer Course – 6-week course designed to provide skills training for families and carers who are playing an active role in refeeding their child.  
• RENEW Carer Course – 4-week, skills-based course for people whose loved one has been unwell for longer than two years and are not currently participating in family-led refeeding, but who wish to gain and renew skills to support them in their journey.
• Carer resources page on our website – includes links to factsheets, videos and other support services
• Carer workshops – EDV runs workshops for carers, focused on wellbeing, coping strategies, and problem solving skills. Please contact the EDV education team at [email protected] for more information.

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Our Carer Newsletter is written by carers, for carers. Each newsletter addresses common challenges faced by those who play a caring role and provides practical strategies and tips to manage them.