Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) Awareness Training (North)

Please note this training is currently only being offered to Learning Disability homes based in the North of the Staffordshire County

Do you provide care for people with a learning disability? Do those people also have Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). If so, please watch this short video, which will help you identify any training needs you might have when supporting people with Learning Disability and Dysphagia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKU3xo8VmZ4

To support gaps in knowledge and skill, you can now take advantage of free Dysphagia training, which is being offered by your local speech and language team

Who is this session for?

• This session is aimed at all support staff working in community settings

• Who support someone with a Learning Disability - to eat and drink and take medication

• When that person also has swallowing difficulties

• The course is delivered in-person and involves a presentation of information using projected slides, as well as practical exercises and group participation and discussion.

• The course content covers the following topics: the normal swallow; what factors can affect the swallow; the risks to a person’s health, wellbeing and quality of life when they have difficulties swallowing; and information about how to support individuals to continue to enjoy meals and drinks more safely. This includes learning how to modify the textures of food and drinks.

By the end of the session the learner should be able to:

• Understand how swallowing works

• Understand the risks associated with a swallowing difficulty (dysphagia) - including choking

• Understand the factors which need to be considered when supporting a person with dysphagia

• Know how to make a referral for a Speech and Language Therapy Assessment of the swallow

• Know how to modify textures of food and drink in line with national guidance (IDDSI)

Please note, by booking onto this training course you are committing to attending at the referenced date and time. Your space on this session has cost Staffordshire County Council and while there is not a cost to yourself or your organisation, public funds have been utilised to fund the training.

If you cannot attend, you can send someone in your place but we will require notification so we can update the course register.

If you are unable to attend or send someone in your place, we ask for 7 working days’ notice in order to have the opportunity to offer this space to others.

Please note if you fail to join a booked session on more than one occasion it may affect your ability to register for training in the future.

All booking changes should be sent to cmdt@staffordshire.gov.uk

Car Parking

Please ensure that on the day you register your car registration when entering the venue, there is a tablet or QR code available in the foyer of the venue. If you don't do this you will be charged.

Refreshment's

Refreshment's and lunch will be not be provided on the day, there is an on site café to purchase these or we recommend bringing your own.