Job Title: Nutritional Support Assistant (Brew Trolley & Mealtime Support)
Location: Swarthdale Nursing Home
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00, 5 days per week (including weekends on rota)
Reports To: Nurse in Charge / Clinical Lead
Responsible For: Supporting residents with hydration, nutrition, and positive mealtime experiences
Job Purpose: The Nutritional Support Assistant plays a vital role in ensuring residents receive safe, adequate, and person-centred nutrition and hydration throughout the day. This role combines beverage service, mealtime support, and nutritional awareness, ensuring compliance with: CQC Fundamental Standards (Nutrition & Hydration), NICE Guidelines (Nutrition Support in Adults), IDDSI Framework, Speech & Language Therapy (SALT) guidance, Dietician-led care plans.
The post holder will actively contribute to resident wellbeing, dignity, hydration, and enjoyment of food and drink, while supporting clinical teams in monitoring intake and risks.
Key Responsibilities
1. Hydration & Brew Trolley ServiceDeliver scheduled brew trolley rounds throughout the day (minimum mid-morning, afternoon, and evening), Offer a variety of drinks appropriate to individual needs: Tea, coffee, juices, fortified drinks, Thickened fluids as prescribed (IDDSI compliant), Ensure all drinks are served at the correct consistency and temperature, Encourage and prompt residents to maintain adequate hydration, Accurately record intake where required (fluid charts)
2. Mealtime Support
Assist residents during lunch and evening meals, Support with: Encouragement and prompting, Full assistance where required, Maintaining dignity and independence, Ensure correct meal is provided in line with Care plans, Dietary requirements (e.g. diabetic, fortified, allergies), IDDSI texture levels,
Monitor and report: Poor appetite, Refusal of food/fluids, Swallowing difficulties
3. Nutritional Awareness & Monitoring
Demonstrate understanding of Malnutrition risks, Weight loss indicators, Food/fluid intake monitoring, Support completion of: Food and fluid charts Nutritional monitoring tools (e.g. MUST awareness) Escalate concerns to nursing staff promptly: Reduced intake Choking risks Signs of dehydration
4. IDDSI & Safe Feeding Practice
Understand and safely implement IDDSI framework levels (0–7), Prepare and serve: Thickened fluids using prescribed thickener levels, Texture-modified diets (e.g. puréed, minced & moist), Ensure no cross-contamination or incorrect textures, Follow SALT and dietician guidance at all times
5. Supplements & Fortified Diets
Support administration of: Nutritional supplements (e.g. shakes, fortified drinks) Understand importance of: High-calorie and high-protein diets, Fortified foods for at-risk residents, Ensure supplements are: Given at correct times, Encouraged and recorded appropriately
6. Communication & Resident Engagement, Build positive relationships with residents, Promote a pleasant and social dining experience, Communicate effectively with: Residents (including those with dementia), Nursing staff, Kitchen team, Use appropriate techniques for: Dementia care, Sensory impairment, Communication difficulties
7. Liaison & Team Working
Work closely with: Nurses, Dieticians, Speech & Language Therapists (SALT)Kitchen staff, Ensure dietary instructions are, :Understood, Followed consistently, Report any discrepancies or concerns immediately8. Infection Control & Food Safety, Adhere to: Food hygiene standards, Infection prevention and control policies, Maintain cleanliness of: Brew trolley, Equipment and utensils, Follow PPE guidance where required
9. Documentation & Record Keeping
Accurately complete: Fluid charts, Food intake records, Supplement records, Ensure documentation is: Timely, Accurate, Legible and auditable
10. Safeguarding & Duty of Care
Ensure residents are: Safe during eating and drinking
Supervised appropriately, Identify and report: Choking risks, Neglect of nutrition/hydration, Follow safeguarding procedures at all times, Person Specification,
Essential, Good understanding of nutrition and hydration in care settings, Awareness of IDDSI framework, Ability to communicate effectively with elderly residents, Compassionate, patient, and observant, Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team,
Desirable, Previous experience in a care home or healthcare setting.
Training in: Food hygiene, Dementia care, Nutrition/MUST, Dysphagia awareness, Key Competencies, Resident-centred care, Attention to detail (critical for safety with IDDSI), Observation and escalation skills, Communication and engagement, Organisation and time management, Accountability & Governance, The post holder is accountable for: Delivering safe hydration and nutrition support, Following all clinical guidance and care plans, Maintaining compliance with: CQC Regulations 9 & 14 (Person-Centred Care & Nutrition), NICE Nutrition Guidelines, IDDSI Framework Local ICB standards,
Additional Expectations, Participate in training and competency assessments, Support audits relating to nutrition and hydration, Contribute to continuous improvement of mealtime experience
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Language:
Work Location: In person
