Eating and Drinking Support
Level:
CPD
Duration:
3 hrs
Course code:
TD/2025/09031
Max group:
12
Learn safe, effective techniques to support individuals with eating and drinking needs.
Course Summary
Eating and Drinking Support
This course is designed to equip caregivers and healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to provide safe, effective, and person-centred support for individuals with eating and drinking needs. Participants will learn how to identify challenges, implement safe feeding techniques, and promote proper nutrition and hydration. The course also covers food and fluid modification, creating supportive mealtime environments, and addressing cultural and individual preferences. By the end of the course, attendees will feel confident in their ability to ensure safety, dignity, and quality of life for those requiring assistance with eating and drinking. Key Learning Objectives: Understand the Basics of Nutrition and Hydration: Learn the importance of balanced diets and adequate hydration. Recognise signs of malnutrition and dehydration and their impact on health. Identify and Address Eating and Drinking Difficulties: Recognise physical, cognitive, and behavioural signs of eating and swallowing challenges. Understand the underlying conditions that impact eating and drinking abilities. Implement Safe Feeding Techniques: Develop skills in safe feeding and positioning to reduce risks of aspiration and choking. Use adaptive equipment and tools to enhance safety and independence. Modify Food and Fluids Safely: Understand texture-modified diets and thickened fluids, using the IDDSI framework. Learn to prepare and present modified meals that are safe and appealing. Create Supportive Mealtime Environments: Promote independence and dignity during meals. Address emotional, social, and cultural aspects of mealtime experiences. Monitor and Document Effectively: Accurately record food and fluid intake. Monitor for signs of aspiration, malnutrition, or dehydration and escalate concerns when necessary. Collaborate with Multidisciplinary Teams: Work effectively with dietitians, speech and language therapists, and other professionals. Understand how to develop and implement personalised care plans. Provide Person-Centred and Inclusive Care: Respect cultural, religious, and individual dietary preferences. Adapt support to meet individual needs and promote dignity. By completing this course, participants will gain the knowledge and practical skills to deliver safe, compassionate, and effective eating and drinking support, enhancing the health and well-being of those in their care.
Course Contents
Introduction to Eating and Drinking
Support Overview of eating and drinking challenges
Importance of proper support for health and quality of life
Common conditions affecting eating and drinking (e.g., dysphagia, neurological disorders)
Understanding Nutrition and Hydration Needs
Basics of nutrition and hydration for health maintenance
Identifying signs of malnutrition and dehydration
Importance of balanced diets tailored to individual needs
Identifying Eating and Drinking Difficulties
Recognising physical, cognitive, and behavioural signs of difficulty
Understanding conditions that impact swallowing and eating habits
Assessing individual needs and risks
Safe Feeding Techniques
Positioning and posture for safe eating and drinking
Techniques for supporting individuals with swallowing difficulties
Using adaptive equipment and utensils to enhance safety and independence
Food and Fluid Modification
Understanding texture-modified diets and thickened fluids
Introduction to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework Preparing and presenting modified meals
Mealtime Environment and Practices
Creating a comfortable and supportive mealtime environment
Encouraging independence while providing appropriate support
Managing challenging behaviours during meals
Cultural and Personal Preferences Respecting cultural, religious, and individual dietary preferences
Communicating effectively to understand personal needs
Adapting practices to ensure inclusive and person-centred care
Monitoring and Documentation
Recording food and fluid intake accurately
Monitoring for signs of aspiration, malnutrition, or dehydration
Reporting concerns and escalating issues when needed
Practical Scenarios and Role-Play
Hands-on practice with feeding techniques and positioning
Case studies to apply knowledge in real-world settings
Group discussions to share best practices
Supporting Emotional and Social Needs
Recognising the emotional impact of eating and drinking difficulties
Encouraging social engagement during meals
Building confidence and self-esteem in individuals receiving support
Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Teams
Working with dietitians, speech and language therapists, and other professionals
Developing and implementing personalised care plans
Understanding referral processes for specialist support
Course Summary and Next Steps
Key takeaways and practical applications
Assessment
The instructor conducts a single written assessments at the end of the course. Upon successful completion, learners will receive a three-year Level 3 Award in Principles of Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Young People or Vulnerable Adults (Level 6 in Scotland). No external assessors are required for this qualification.
Duration
The course requires a minimum of 7 hours, distributed over the day. While it is ideal to complete the course in one day, we can adjust the schedule to suit your specific needs, as long as the course is completed within 3 weeks of starting and each training session lasts at least two hours.
Certification Validity
This qualification has no formal expiry, however regular CPD and updates are recommended.
Further Information - Course Numbers
A maximum of 12 students can be accommodated on this course and all candidates must be a minimum of 18 years of age to qualify.
Assessment method: Activities, test paper.
Pre-requisite: None
Suggested progression:
recommended refresher training and CPD;