A scheme that supports people with eating disorders has won national recognition.

The West Sussex Family Eating Disorder Service (FEDS), run by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, has been given a Beat Assured quality mark.

The award, given by leading national eating disorders charity B-eat , followed an assessment of the service by volunteers who spoke at length with current patients and their family members about their experience of treatment.

The aim of FEDS is to support recovery through the provision of intensive home intervention to the young person and their family.

This approach causes minimal disruption to the young person and their family and helps to maintain social contacts as well as going to school.

The team also works with the patient, family and ward staff to help them return home as soon as safely possible if a person has been admitted to hospital.

Team leader Bev Kirwan said: “This accreditation demonstrates we are providing a high standard of care and that we are making a valuable difference to the lives of the young people and their families who use the service."