Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an increasingly recognised eating disorder across health, education and social care.
This specialist training equips professionals with the knowledge and confidence to recognise ARFID early, understand associated risks, and take appropriate safeguarding, monitoring and referral action. Learners will gain practical insight into identification, escalation pathways and multi-agency support.This specialist ARFID training course provides professionals with the knowledge and confidence to recognise ARFID early, understand risk, and take appropriate safeguarding and escalation action. The course explores the clinical links between ARFID, autism and learning disabilities, supporting earlier intervention, improved multi-agency working and better outcomes.
Suitable for organisations and professionals across England, the course strengthens understanding of feeding difficulties, neurodiversity and eating disorders in children and young people. Learners will leave with practical knowledge that can be applied immediately within health, education, social care and therapeutic settings.
This course includes interactive learning and case discussion activities to provide a clear introduction to ARFID, covering early identification, diagnostic criteria, clinical presentation and how it differs from typical picky eating. It explores the key drivers of ARFID, including sensory differences, fear of eating-related consequences, low interest in food, trauma and sudden onset.
Learners will also understand the risks linked to hidden malnutrition, growth concerns, social impact, school avoidance and how ARFID can affect people at any weight. The course also considers links with autism, learning disabilities, feeding difficulties, anxiety, burnout and trauma.
It also covers screening, monitoring, safeguarding, referral pathways and the impact on families and caregivers, with practical guidance on supporting parents and improving outcomes through collaboration.
Upon completion, learners will receive a certificate from Empeiria Training.
Face-to-face training at your venue
Bespoke delivery for teams, schools and services
Interactive learning with case discussion
Adapted to reflect local pathways and commissioning priorities
This ARFID training course is designed for professionals working with children, young people and families. It is suitable for health and social care staff, education and SEND professionals, mental health and CAMHS teams, social workers, safeguarding practitioners, early years and school staff, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and therapeutic practitioners.
The course is particularly relevant for services supporting autistic children and young people, individuals with learning disabilities, and those experiencing feeding difficulties.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, commonly known as ARFID, is an eating disorder characterised by restricted food intake or limited food variety that leads to nutritional, physical or psychosocial difficulties. Unlike some other eating disorders, ARFID is not driven by body image or weight concerns.
ARFID can present across the lifespan and is commonly linked to sensory differences, anxiety, trauma or reduced awareness of hunger. It may involve sensory-based food avoidance, fear of choking, vomiting or illness, lack of interest in eating, or a sudden onset following distressing experiences. Many individuals experience more than one driver, making early recognition essential to help prevent long-term harm and reduce risk.
This course focuses on practical, real-world decision making to support safer and more effective professional practice.
Learners will develop the confidence to recognise ARFID earlier, reduce the risk of crisis escalation, and understand hidden malnutrition and risk at any weight. The course also supports improved safeguarding, monitoring and escalation practice, while strengthening multidisciplinary and multi-agency working.
It is particularly useful for professionals supporting autistic children, individuals with learning disabilities, and those with complex feeding difficulties. Learners will also build confidence in formulation, documentation and professional accountability.
This training supports services to respond proactively, helping to reduce delayed referrals and the need for emergency intervention.
