Equip your staff to deliver high quality care and support
Develop skilled and competent staff with Scope’s Mealtime Management Training.
Delivered by an experienced speech pathologist, this engaging yet comprehensive course includes a mix of theory and practical elements. Our training is specifically designed to train disability support workers to provide the upmost care and support to customers with dysphagia.
Scope can provide your organisation with customised Mealtime Management Training to ensure compliance with the latest NDIS practice standards and policy.
Throughout the course participants will be given several opportunities to practice modifying and testing food and drinks to each level typically prescribed.
Participants will then apply this newfound knowledge by modifying a dessert and drink to meet the requirements outlined in an example mealtime management plan.
By learning how to achieve the right food consistencies, your staff will be able to provide better choices to customers who require their food to be modified.
About this course
Course details
Learning overview
- What is Dysphagia?
- Indicators and impact of dysphagia
- The social and emotional importance of mealtimes
- Modified mealtime equipment
- Modified food and drink consistencies and texture requirements in accordance with the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI)
- Hands on practice modifying food and drinks according to the IDDSI.
Course duration
5 hours, including a mix of theoretical and practical activities.
Location
Flexible. Locations could be a home environment, day program centre or a training room with access to kitchen area.
Class size
10 participants.
Cost
Please contact us for a quote specific to your organisation. The course can be funded in a number of ways, including both organisation and participants funds.
Our engaging hands-on cooking element will ensure that staff are confident to implement mealtime management plans at work.
This course meets and exceeds the NDIS provider practice standards for staff mealtime management training.
Reduce risks, avoid accidents, and provide quality care by equipping your staff with the skills they need to manage dysphagia.
FAQs
What is Mealtime Management (Dysphagia) training?
Mealtime Management (Dysphagia) training is a practical course designed to help staff safely support people who have difficulty swallowing. It focuses on understanding dysphagia, identifying risks during mealtimes, and following individual mealtime management plans to support safe and dignified eating and drinking.
Who should complete Mealtime Management training?
This training is designed for disability support workers, carers, and staff who assist people during mealtimes — particularly those supporting individuals with dysphagia or swallowing difficulties in disability, aged care, or community support settings.
What may participants learn in this training?
Participants may develop an understanding of what dysphagia is, how to identify signs and risks of swallowing difficulties, how to follow mealtime management plans, how to prepare food and drinks according to IDDSI texture levels, safe positioning and feeding techniques, and how to recognise and respond to choking risks. Training also addresses the social importance of mealtimes for the people being supported.
Why is mealtime management training important for people with dysphagia?
Swallowing difficulties can be associated with serious health risks including choking, aspiration, and nutritional concerns. Mealtime management training aims to support staff to manage these risks safely while maintaining dignity, choice, and quality of life for the individual. Individual mealtime plans should always be developed and overseen by a qualified clinician.
Does this training include practical activities?
Yes. The training is designed to be interactive and practical. Participants may have the opportunity to practise modifying food and drinks to different texture levels and to apply learning using real examples from mealtime management plans, subject to the training format and delivery.
Is this training aligned with NDIS requirements?
This training is designed with awareness of NDIS Practice Standards related to mealtime management and aims to support organisations in working toward relevant compliance expectations. Organisations are encouraged to consider their specific obligations and how training fits within their broader care and compliance framework.
Who delivers the Mealtime Management training?
The training is delivered by experienced speech pathologists who bring clinical expertise and practical knowledge to the program. Call Scope on 1300 472 673 or visit scopeaust.org.au to find out more about training options, upcoming dates, and availability.