Recognise and support people with swallowing difficulties safely — the causes and risks, the signs, modified diets and thickened fluids, safe mealtime support, and your role.
What this course covers
- Explain what dysphagia is and what causes it
- Understand the serious risks of dysphagia and recognise the signs
- Understand modified diets, the IDDSI framework and thickened fluids
- Support people to eat and drink safely at mealtimes
- Follow the swallowing care plan and know your role and limits
How much does Dysphagia training cost?
£4 per person on Care2Learn, with no minimum order and no subscription. If your team needs a full training matrix rather than one course, a subscription at £2 per learner per month covers all 32 courses — see the 2026 price comparison.
Who needs it
Anyone delivering hands-on care in a CQC-regulated service, as part of their mandatory training. Completion is recorded with the date taken and the date it is next due, so it appears correctly on your training matrix and can be evidenced at inspection.
What the learner receives
A certificate in their own name carrying the CPD Aligned seal, showing the completion date and the renewal date a year later, downloadable at any time. The record belongs to the learner, not just the employer — it travels with them rather than sitting in one provider's system.
Related courses
Providers usually assign these alongside Dysphagia.
- Sensory Impairment Awareness — 45 min online, £4 per person
- Data Protection & GDPR — 40 min online, £4 per person
- Positive Behaviour Support — 45 min online, £4 per person
You can also browse the full catalogue of 32 courses, or read about the Care Certificate for staff new to care.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dysphagia training take?
About 45 min of e‑learning, across 9 sections with 11 assessment questions. Learners can stop and resume at any point, and it works on a phone.
What does Dysphagia training cover?
By the end of the course a learner should be able to explain what dysphagia is and what causes it; understand the serious risks of dysphagia and recognise the signs; understand modified diets, the IDDSI framework and thickened fluids. The full list of learning outcomes is set out above.
Is Dysphagia CPD Aligned, and how is it assessed?
Yes — the certificate carries the CPD Aligned seal. The assessment is multiple choice with a pass mark of 70%; attempts are recorded and learners can retake it. Renewal is set at 12 months from the completion date, so the course reappears on your training matrix when it is due.
Does this cover the IDDSI framework?
Yes — the IDDSI descriptors for modified diets and thickened fluids, recognising the signs of dysphagia including silent aspiration, safe swallowing and positioning, and when to refer to speech and language therapy.
Does this count towards the Care Certificate?
No — this is a standalone mandatory course rather than one of the Care Certificate standards. The Care Certificate is available as its own guided course for staff who are new to care.