Nutrition and Hydration in Care Settings

Nutrition and Hydration in Care Settings

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Course Overview

Supporting nutrition and hydration is not just about encouraging people to eat and drink. It involves understanding individual needs, recognising risk, adapting support, and working alongside other professionals where required.

Food and fluid are part of everyday care, but they are also part of safety, dignity and clinical risk.

In many care settings, changes in eating and drinking are often one of the first signs that something is not quite right. That might be linked to physical health, mental wellbeing, medication, swallowing difficulties or changes in routine. Without the right awareness, these signs can be missed or misunderstood.

Our Nutrition and Hydration in Care Settings course focuses on what staff need to notice, understand and do in practice. It looks at how nutrition and hydration link to health, behaviour, communication and overall care quality, and how small, consistent actions can make a meaningful difference.

This course aligns with expectations from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) around safe care and treatment and person-centred care. It also reflects guidance from NICE nutrition support for adults (CG32) and wider UK best practice around safe eating and drinking.

Where individuals have swallowing difficulties or complex needs, this course also reinforces the importance of working alongside Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) teams, following guidance, and understanding how modified diets and fluid consistencies support safety.

It supports the knowledge requirements within Care Certificate Standard 8 – Fluids and Nutrition, helping staff understand both the importance of nutrition and how to support it appropriately within their role.

Course Details

Duration: Half day (3–4 hours) | Full day option available
Delivery: In-house (face to face), live online via Zoom/Teams
Certificate: CPD-accredited certificate of completion
Validity: Recommended refresh every 2–3 years
Group size: Up to 12 learners

Who This Course Is For

This course is suitable for:

• Support workers and care assistants
• Senior carers and team leaders
• Residential and supported living staff
• Domiciliary care staff
• Health and social care professionals

It is particularly useful for staff supporting individuals who may be at risk of dehydration, malnutrition or swallowing difficulties.

Why This Training Is Important

Nutrition and hydration are closely linked to health outcomes, recovery and quality of life.

In care settings, reduced intake can lead to:

• dehydration
• malnutrition
• increased falls risk
• confusion or deterioration
• pressure damage
• increased risk of infection

These risks are often preventable when staff understand what to look for and how to respond early.

Guidance from NICE nutrition support for adults (CG32) highlights the importance of identifying individuals at risk, monitoring intake and providing appropriate support.

In some cases, difficulties with eating and drinking may be linked to dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). This is where input from Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) is essential. Staff need to understand how to follow SALT guidance, including modified diets, thickened fluids and positioning, to reduce risk.

CQC expects providers to ensure people receive adequate nutrition and hydration, and that care is safe, effective and responsive to individual needs.

This training helps staff to:

• recognise early signs of poor intake
• understand why individuals may not eat or drink
• follow guidance safely (including SALT recommendations)
• support safe eating and drinking
• maintain dignity and independence

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Understand the importance of nutrition and hydration in care
• Recognise signs of dehydration and malnutrition
• Understand factors affecting appetite and fluid intake
• Recognise swallowing difficulties and associated risks
• Understand the role of SALT and following guidance safely
• Support individuals in eating and drinking appropriately
• Understand safe food and fluid practices
• Recognise risk and respond appropriately
• Understand monitoring and recording requirements
• Support person-centred approaches to nutrition

Course Content

Main topics include:

• Introduction to nutrition and hydration in care
• The importance of food and fluid for health and well-being
• Signs of dehydration and malnutrition
• Factors affecting intake (physical, emotional, environmental)
• Dysphagia awareness and safe practice
• Working with SALT guidance and recommendations
• Supporting eating and drinking safely
• Communication, dignity and independence
• Monitoring intake and recognising risk
• Recording, reporting and escalation

How the Course Is Delivered

This course is delivered by an experienced trainer with a background in health and social care, including supporting individuals with a range of needs.

Training is practical and discussion-based, focusing on real situations staff encounter in care settings. Rather than focusing on theory alone, learners explore what they need to notice, what to question and how to respond.

The session includes discussion around real scenarios such as reduced appetite, refusal to eat, swallowing concerns and changes in behaviour.

Delivery can be adapted to your organisation and delivered face-to-face or online.

Real-World Application

This training reflects real situations where nutrition and hydration become a concern.

Learners explore scenarios such as:

• Reduced appetite or weight loss
• Refusal to eat or drink
• Changes in behaviour or mood
• Supporting independence at mealtimes
• Following SALT guidance safely

The focus is on helping staff recognise early signs and respond in a way that is safe, respectful and consistent.

Certification & Validity

Learners receive a CPD-accredited Prima Cura Training certificate on completion.

Refresher training is recommended every 2–3 years.

In-House & Bespoke Training

We tailor this course to your organisation’s:

• service type and environment
• client group and needs
• staff roles and responsibilities
• policies and procedures

This ensures training is directly relevant to your service.

Course Location & Service Areas

We deliver in-house training at your workplace or chosen venue, tailored to your needs and schedule. This flexible approach removes the need to send staff off-site for essential learning.

Our experienced trainers deliver courses across Manchester and Greater Manchester, supporting organisations throughout the North West. We also provide on-site training throughout England, covering major cities, towns, and regions nationwide, including North England, South England, London, and Surrey.

Wherever and however the training is delivered, all sessions are led by experienced Prima Cura Training instructors and meet the same high standards.

FAQs

Related Courses

• Safeguarding Adults Training
• Mental Capacity Act 2005 & DoLS
• Dysphagia Awareness
• Key Working with Individuals
• Enteral feeding (PEG/PEJ) Training

Our Commitment to Quality and Compliance

At Prima Cura Training, we deliver training that reflects current UK guidance, real-world practice and regulatory expectations.

All training is delivered by experienced instructors and supported by ongoing quality assurance processes.

You can read more here: Our Commitment to Quality and Compliance

Book or Enquire

To arrange Nutrition and Hydration in Care Settings training for your organisation, contact Prima Cura Training.

We’ll tailor the training to your service, your staff and the real situations they face, ensuring it is practical, relevant and immediately applicable.

Reviewed by Stephanie Austin – Owner & Lead Trainer, Prima Cura Training
25+ years in health and social care | 15+ years as a trainer
Last reviewed: March 2026

This course provides awareness and guidance to support safe nutrition and hydration practice. It does not replace clinical advice or individual care plans. Employers remain responsible for ensuring staff follow SALT guidance, organisational policies and current best practice. All sessions are delivered by experienced Prima Cura Training instructors and meet the same high standards.

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