Mealtime assistance

Why choose this course?

This course is available:

for Cerebral Palsy Alliance employees: see the scheduled dates below
for public participants or organisations: please enquire below about course dates or group bookings at your venue or ours

This course is a compulsory orientation activity for all staff who assist clients during mealtimes. The course provides participants with information on enjoyable mealtimes, safe eating and drinking procedures and improved nutrition. It outlines strategies on how to facilitate safe and enjoyable mealtimes for clients by following their individual mealtime plans.

For Cerebral Palsy Alliance Employees

At Cerebral Palsy Alliance this is a compulsory induction activity for all employees who assist clients with mealtimes or who are present during mealtimes or are otherwise involved in clients’ mealtimes.
Cerebral Palsy Alliance employees are exempt from the course fee.

What content does the program cover?

This half day course offers guidelines on how to follow clients’ individual mealtime plans, and how to facilitate safe enjoyable mealtimes.

The content of this course will enable you to:

•   Recognise the importance of mealtimes
•   Recognise signs of swallowing difficulty
•   Understand the purpose, function and importance of mealtime plans
•   Understand how to follow and implement mealtime plans
•   Understand what to do with any inconsistencies or difficult to follow instructions in a mealtime plan
•   Introduction to the IDDSI Framework

The training covers strategies that promote personal dignity, safe swallow, appropriate seating and positioning and mealtime assistance techniques. The course also includes practical tasks on food and drink preparation.

The presentation includes a range of multi-media examples, hands-on activities and group discussions.

How will course work be assessed?

The assessment for this learning activity is contained within group activities and is determined through observation of participation and contribution towards the learning objectives of the course.