Next Steps Eating Disorder Clinic

Terms & Conditions

Next Steps Eating Disorder Clinic 12-Week Pathway – Client Agreement

1. Introduction

This agreement outlines the terms under which Next Steps Eating Disorder Clinic (hereby referred to as NSEDC) provides a 12-week treatment pathway for individuals experiencing eating disorders in the community.

By signing this agreement, you confirm that you understand and accept the scope, limitations, and responsibilities associated with this service.

2. Nature of the Service

The pathway includes:

  • Psychological therapy
  • Dietetic support

This is a structured community-based package designed for individuals who are:

  • Medically stable
  • Psychologically stable
  • Able to engage safely in the community

3. Scope & Limitations of Care

This pathway:

  • Provides scheduled community-based treatment only

This pathway does not:

  • Provide emergency or crisis intervention
  • Offer 24-hour or on-call support
  • Replace inpatient or day-patient treatment
  • Provide medical monitoring or acute risk management

4. Medical Responsibility

You acknowledge and agree that:

  • You are medically stable at the point of entering treatment
  • Responsibility for your physical health remains with your GP or treating physician
  • NSEDC clinicians do not provide primary medical care or ongoing medical monitoring

You agree to seek appropriate medical review where required.

5. Risk & Safety Agreement

By signing this agreement, you confirm that:

  • You are not currently at immediate risk to yourself or others
  • You are able to maintain your safety during and outside of sessions
  • You will inform the clinical team of any changes to your mental or physical health

You understand that:

  • This pathway is not designed to manage high levels of risk
  • Clinical support is limited to scheduled sessions only

6. Changes in Clinical Risk

If your level of risk increases during the pathway:

NSEDC may, at its clinical discretion:

  • Pause or suspend treatment
  • End treatment
  • Recommend referral to more appropriate services

These may include:

  • NHS eating disorder services
  • Crisis teams
  • Inpatient or day-patient services

You understand that continuation of treatment is dependent on the pathway remaining clinically appropriate and safe.

7. Clinical Responsibility

Clinical responsibility is limited to:

  • Direct contact during scheduled sessions
  • Documented clinical decision-making during your treatment pathway 

NSEDC does not assume responsibility for:

  • Your safety outside of sessions
  • Crisis management
  • Independent decisions made between sessions

8. Your Responsibilities

You agree to:

  • Engage openly and honestly in treatment
  • Communicate any deterioration in your health or risk
  • Follow agreed care plans where possible
  • Take responsibility for your safety between sessions
  • Access appropriate external support if required
  • Update your primary care provider when necessary

9. Emergency Support

You understand that this is not an emergency service. If you are at immediate risk, you agree to contact:

  • Your GP
  • NHS 111 or 999
  • Local Crisis Team
  • Nearest A&E department

    You may also wish to seek support from your preferred helpline, e.g.:
  • BEAT
    Website
    0808 801 0677
  • Samaritans
    Website
    116 123
  • Mind
    Website
    0300 102 1234

10. Attendance & Engagement

  • Consistent attendance is expected
  • Missed or repeated non-attendance may result in clinical review or discharge
  • The pathway’s effectiveness depends on active engagement

11. Confidentiality & Information Sharing

Your information will be treated confidentially in accordance with GDPR and professional standards.

However, information may be shared:

  • With your GP or relevant professionals
  • If there is concern about your safety or the safety of others

Where possible, this will be discussed before necessary information sharing

12. Pathway Duration

  • Standard duration: 12 weeks
  • Extensions (between 4-12 weeks) may be offered if clinically appropriate
  • Maximum total duration: 24 weeks

13. Fees & Payment

  • Fees must be paid in accordance with agreed terms
  • All fees will be paid before starting the 12-week pathway
  • Missed sessions may be chargeable if not rearranged up to 24 hours in advance. 
  • Rearranged sessions can only extend the programme length by a maximum of 2 weeks
  • Failure to meet payment terms may result in suspension of treatment
  • If a clinical decision is made for early discharge from the pathway, the remaining pathway fees will be refunded

14. Right to Decline or End Treatment

NSEDC reserves the right to:

  • Decline referrals that do not meet eligibility criteria
  • End treatment where:
    • Risk exceeds the scope of the clinic/pathway
    • Engagement is insufficient
    • The service is no longer clinically appropriate

15. Acknowledgement & Consent

I confirm that:

  • I understand the nature and limitations of this pathway
  • I meet the criteria for NSEDC treatment
  • I accept responsibility for my safety outside of sessions
  • I agree to the terms outlined above