The Beacon
The Beacon provides intensive day treatment for young people aged between 13 and 18 years old who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder. 
The service offers intensive interventions for young people while they continue to maintain connections with their support network such as friends, community mental health teams and their school provision.
As a young person coming to The Beacon you may already have been receiving treatment in the community and your care providers may have recommended an enhanced package of care; you may be in a hospital and it is felt that with intensive support you could remain at home with your family while commencing treatment; or you may be in a specialist hospital and ready to take the next step towards community care.
What happens at The Beacon?
The Beacon offers evidence-based treatment to promote recovery, reduce relapse, and improve
long-term outcomes.
Each young person will have a bespoke plan of care that supports them to achieve their goals.
Attendance is initially expected to be four days per week for six weeks and we will review this with young people and their families weekly.
Young people will have two snacks and one meal durimg each day at The Beacon and staff will be available to support them in addition to a dietitian working with them to ensure they are receiving the right nutrition for them.
Parents/Carers
Working closely with families leads to more positive outcomes for young people
and there is an expectation that family members will make a commitment while their relative is receiving care at The Beacon.
This includes bringing patients to the service and collecting them four times a week; being present at short meetings with staff in the mornings and afternoons; attending family appointments, teatment reviews, and a parent/carer groups once a week.
Therapies
The psychologist and occupational therapists can offer assessment and
treatment individually in addition to leading groups.
As a young person, the Beacon team will work closely with you and your family, and you will have a named worker who will be with you every step of the way to support you and listen to any worries or concerns you may have as well as champion and advocate for you when reviewing your goals and care.
Our family therapist is available to work with you, your parents/carers and if appropriate your siblings if needed.
Referrals
Referrals to The Beacon are sent via the East of England Provider Collaborative.
A young person's care provider will discuss with them why The Beacon is an option for intensive treatment.
Meet the team
The Beacon team consists of:
A psychiatrist
A psychologist
An assistant psychologist
A family therapist
Occupational therapists
Nurses and nursing support staff
A dietitian
A chef
Education
We know that it can be hard taking time out of school, but each day you
are at The Beacon there will be school staff to support you to keep on top of your studies. They will liaise with your home school and help to organise for you to have time at your own school when it is right to do so.
Useful resources
As a patient, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.