If you would like to find out more about how the service can help you, and how to access support, please visit the Connect Child and Young Person Weight Management Service website.

Visit the Connect service website

Who is the service for?

Connect is available for children and young people aged 0 to 16 years who meet the criteria below.

Children aged under 2 years old

  • Weight greater than the 98th centile.

Children and young people aged 2 to 16 years

Children and young people aged 2 to 16 must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • BMI centile greater than the 99.6th centile.
  • BMI centile greater than the 98th and active under social services.
  • BMI centile greater than the 98th centile with one or more co-existing conditions.

Co-existing conditions

  • Children with a suspected underlying medical cause of obesity, for example endocrine causes.
  • Prader-Willi syndrome, or where this is suspected.
  • Strong family history of cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.
  • Complex social history, including adverse childhood experiences, also known as ACEs.
  • Children who may have serious obesity-related morbidity that requires weight loss.

Serious obesity-related morbidity may include type 2 diabetes, abnormal glucose or insulin metabolism, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, significant joint or mobility problems, dyslipidaemia, benign intracranial hypertension, obstructive sleep apnoea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, features suggestive of polycystic ovarian syndrome, Acanthosis nigricans, or raised levels of alanine aminotransferase greater than 70 suggestive of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

If the child or young person does not meet the criteria, the service is still available to offer support, advice and training.

Telephone: 0300 303 4906

Email: [email protected]

Please note: the service cannot manage psychological risk.

If you are currently working with child mental health services, or waiting to see them, please contact the Connect service first to discuss before completing the self-referral form. Otherwise, the referral may be declined.

Young people aged 16 and above

Young people aged 16 and above can be referred into the Adult Weight Management Service.

Adult Weight Management Service

How to request support

The service accepts request for help forms from families only.

Referrals from healthcare professionals may be accepted if there are safeguarding concerns and the family is under social services because of this.

Please watch the Expectations video before completing the form. This will help you understand what the service can offer and what is expected from you and your family.

Complete request for help form Watch the Expectations video

If you cannot complete the form online or have any questions, please call 0300 303 4906.