Dysphagia & IDDSI Framework + Practical
Give your care and catering teams the confidence to prepare, test and serve food and drink safely. This full-day course also combines classroom learning with hands-on IDDSI practical testing.
About the course
Understand IDDSI — and put it into practice
This full-day course helps you understand the IDDSI Framework and use it in everyday care. First, you cover the theory in the morning. Then you move into a kitchen to plate and test food to each IDDSI level yourself.
What you’ll cover
Full course content
Eight modules guide you through the course. First, you learn the fundamentals of the framework. Then you move on to hands-on food and drink testing across every IDDSI level.
Introduction to the Framework
- What is the IDDSI Framework?
- What is dysphagia?
- Anatomy of swallowing
- The IDDSI Chart
Dysphagia
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Facts and statistics
Characteristics
- Levels 0–2 — Drinks
- Levels 3–4 — Either drink or food
- Levels 5–7 — Foods
- Transitional foods (Levels 5–7)
- Medication
- Thickening agents / powder
Risk Assessments
- Symptoms risk assessment
- Visitors and food
- Risk assessing choice
- Choking
Roles & Responsibilities
- Employer’s responsibilities
- All employees’ responsibilities
- Chef’s responsibilities
- Mealtime support responsibilities
Resources
- IDDSI website
- Posters
- The IDDSI app
Practical: Drinks Flow Test (Levels 0–3)
- Introduction to the flow test
- Syringe sizing
- Flow test
- Levels 0–3 results & Level 4 results
Practical: Food Tests (Levels 3–7)
- The Fork Drip Test
- Spoon Tilt Test — Levels 4 & 5
- Minced & Moist — Level 5
- Fork Pressure Test — Level 6
- Regular / Easy to Chew — Level 7
Book this course
We bring IDDSI training to your care home
We deliver all training on-site at your care home. We also price each course on application. So just get in touch, and we’ll reply quickly with dates and a quote.