Civil Service Eating Disorders Network (CSEDN)
Updated 22 July 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-staff-networks/civil-service-eating-disorders-network-csedn
Who Are We?
We are a support group for civil servants affected by eating disorders.
This could be anyone who:
- has an eating disorder
- cares for someone with an eating disorder
- line manages someone with an eating disorder
We are a subnetwork of the Civil Service Disability Network.
Purpose and Vision
It is estimated that eating disorders affect over 1.25 million people in the UK, and they have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. Many civil servants will therefore be directly or indirectly affected by them, and in some cases to a potentially serious level. Eating disorders are often very private and many will be scared to reach out for help. The CSEDN provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive space for Civil Servants affected by eating disorders, either directly or indirectly. The network aims to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and offer practical resources to promote understanding, recovery, and wellbeing across the Civil Service.
The CSEDN vision is to inform, support and empower individuals across the Civil Service.
Inform – we raise Civil Servants’ awareness about eating disorders
Support – we provide support to Civil Servants affected by eating disorders
Empower – we empower Civil Servants to educate themselves about eating disorders and to seek support where required.
Objectives
INFORM
1. Awareness: Raise awareness of eating disorders and their impact on individuals and workplace wellbeing.
2. Education: Equip managers and colleagues with tools to support affected employees.
SUPPORT
3. Support: Offer a confidential environment for members to share experiences and access resources.
EMPOWER
4. Civil Service workplace policy influence: Advocate for changes to Civil Service policies and practices to better support employees with eating disorders, including reasonable workplace adjustments.
5. Collaboration: Partner with other Civil Service networks to maximize impact and highlight comorbidities and the impact of stigma on already marginalised groups.
Key Activities
- Monthly peer support sessions (online via Microsoft Teams).
- Awareness-raising sessions (e.g. Eating Disorders Awareness Week). These comprise of events, open to all Civil Servants, detailing what eating disorders are, how they might present in the workplace, and how Civil Servants can assist and support affected colleagues.
- Training for managers and colleagues upon request from business areas.
- Sharing resources (guidance, blogs, personal stories, signposting support).
We raise awareness of eating disorders across the Civil Service through events which you can hear about if you join our mailing list.
We also have a number of resources available including:
- how to access support within and outside the Civil Service
- information about the different types of eating disorders
- practical advice for commonly asked questions, such as how to approach your line manager to have a conversation about an eating disorder
Contact Us
The CSEDN is available to any HMG civil servant. Please email our inbox if you would like to be added to our mailing list for support groups and events, or if you would like access to any of our written resources, or just to find out more. We also welcome contact from those who may wish to get involved further in event organising or supporting others by joining our Committee.
Please contact CSEDN@homeoffice.gov.uk