Dysphagia
Swallowing difficulties are common in care settings and carry serious risks, including choking, aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition and dehydration. Many of the harms associated with dysphagia are preventable, and most depend on frontline staff recognising the signs, following the speech and language therapist's recommendations exactly, and preparing food and drink to the correct consistency.
This CPD-accredited Dysphagia Course is designed for care workers, healthcare assistants, support workers, senior carers, nurses, catering staff and registered managers across residential care, nursing homes, domiciliary care, supported living and learning disability services. Learners will explore how normal swallowing works, the causes and signs of dysphagia, silent aspiration, the IDDSI framework for texture-modified diets and thickened fluids, safe positioning and mealtime practice, and how to escalate concerns. Complete this online Dysphagia course at your own pace.
CPD Accredited
Certificate Included
Learn at Your Own Pace
1 hour
Quizzes covered in each module
IDDSI framework aligned
Skills for Care aligned
*For individual learners. Need to train multiple staff? See Organisation pricing
Why This Course Matters
Recognise the signs of swallowing difficulty, including silent aspiration, before harm occurs.
Prepare and check food and fluids to the correct IDDSI level every time.
Support mealtimes safely while protecting dignity, choice and enjoyment of food.
Reduce the risk of choking, aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition and dehydration.
Evidence nutrition, hydration and dysphagia training with a recognised CPD certificate.
Did You Know?
RCSLT guidance reports that dysphagia affects more than half of older people living in institutional settings, 40 to 70% of people after a stroke, and 60 to 80% of people with neurodegenerative conditions. Correct texture modification and safe mealtime practice are among the most direct ways care teams prevent choking and aspiration pneumonia.
Why Learn With Carelearner
CPD Accredited Certificate
100% Online & Self-Paced Learning
Instant Digital Certificate on Completion
Works on Desktop, Tablet & Mobile
Industry Best Practice
Earn Your CPD Certificate
Complete the course and pass the final assessment to receive a CPD-accredited certificate ready to download, print and keep on file for inspection.
What's Inside the Course?
Here are the modules you will cover in this course:
Understanding Swallowing and Dysphagia
Introduces how a normal swallow works, what dysphagia is, and why swallowing difficulties matter in health and social care.
Causes and Risk Factors
Explores the conditions most commonly associated with dysphagia, including stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, head and neck cancer and learning disabilities.
Recognising the Signs
Covers the visible and hidden signs of swallowing difficulty, including coughing, wet voice, prolonged mealtimes, weight loss and silent aspiration.
The IDDSI Framework
Explains the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative levels for texture-modified food and thickened drinks, and how to test and prepare them correctly.
Safe Mealtime Practice
Develops safe, dignified mealtime support including positioning, pacing, oral care, medicines administration considerations and the environment.
Escalation, Recording and Multidisciplinary Working
Covers when and how to escalate concerns, the role of speech and language therapy and dietetics, and accurate recording of intake and incidents.
Who Is This Course For?
- 1. Care Workers
2. Healthcare Assistants (HCAs)
3. Support Workers
4. Senior Carers
5. Nurses
6. Residential & Nursing Home Staff
7. Domiciliary Care Staff
8. Supported Living Staff
9. Agency Care Professionals
Meet the Expert Behind Your Course
Manu Thomas is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Former CQC Specialist Advisor and NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme Fellow. As the Founder of Pentafold Ltd and CareLearner, and a member of a NICE professional committee, he brings extensive clinical, regulatory, and healthcare innovation expertise to the development of this course.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, you will be able to:
Receive a CPD-accredited certificate upon successful completion
Strengthen your professional portfolio with accredited training.
Explain what dysphagia is, what causes it, and the risks associated with an unsafe swallow.
Recognise the signs of swallowing difficulty, including silent aspiration and choking risk.
Describe the IDDSI framework and how texture-modified diets and thickened fluids are prepared and tested.
Apply safe, dignified mealtime support and escalate swallowing concerns appropriately in day-to-day care.
FAQ
Is this course CPD accredited?
Yes. This course is CPD accredited, demonstrating that it meets recognised standards for Continuing Professional Development. Upon successful completion, learners receive a CPD-accredited certificate that can be used as evidence of ongoing professional learning.
Does this course satisfy CQC inspection requirements?
This course is CPD accredited and aligned with the Skills for Care Core and Mandatory Training Framework, supporting employers in delivering recognised training. While CQC does not approve individual training courses, inspectors expect providers to ensure staff receive appropriate training and can demonstrate competence.
Is there an assessment at the end of the course?
Knowledge checks and assessments are included throughout the course to assess understanding of the learning covered in each module.
How long does this course take to complete?
The estimated duration is shown at the top of this page. The course is self-paced, so you can pause and return at any point, and your progress is saved.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A CPD-accredited digital certificate is issued on successful completion and can be downloaded straight away.
Can I buy this course for my team?
Yes. Courses can be purchased for an individual or for an organisation, with team progress and certificates managed through the CareLearner platform.
Can I complete this course on my phone?
Yes. The course is fully responsive and can be completed on desktop, tablet or mobile devices. Learn at your own pace, wherever and whenever it suits you.
Ideal for one learner
£24
+VAT
Full course access, CPD certificate and unlimited assessment retakes included.
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