In November 2021, the NDIS implemented some changes for people with a disability who have Support Workers assisting them at mealtimes.
Why the changes?
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission introduced these changes in response to a review of causes and contributions to deaths of people with a disability in Australia.
The changes are to ensure that NDIS providers and workers are safely delivering quality mealtime supports and services to maintain the health and safety of the people they support.
The following is an overview of the changes. Your Speech Pathologist can provide you with further information to support your decision making. There are two categories identified by the NDIS, being Mealtime Management and Severe Dysphagia (swallowing difficulty).
Mealtime Management
Mealtime management applies to participants who do not have significant changes to mealtimes, and/or are not at a significant risk, for example, of choking or aspiration (food or fluid going into the windpipe/lungs).
NDIS requires that providers who are assisting participants who require mealtime support/management
- Have their mealtime needs assessed and a Mealtime Plan developed by a Speech Pathologist
- Have their mealtime needs assessed by a Dietitian to ensure meals meet nutritional requirements and proactively manage emerging chronic health risks related to meal time difficulties.
- Have the Mealtime Plan reviewed at least annually or as recommended by the Speech Pathologist, or when there are any changes noted in the client’s swallowing, eating or drinking
- Support Workers must have access to the Mealtime Plan if they are supporting the client with meals
- Support Workers must be provided with training to understand mealtime management needs and how to manage any safety incidents (e.g. coughing, choking)
- Support Workers must be trained in how to prepare and provide safe meals
Severe Dysphagia Management (swallowing difficulty)
All NDIS providers who support participants who have significant support needs related to swallowing and related health risks, and are registered with the NDIS to provide high intensity daily personal activities, must:
- Identify participants requiring severe dysphagia management
- Ensure that, with the participant’s consent, the participant’s needs are assessed by health practitioners with expertise in severe dysphagia as appropriate (Speech Pathologist, Dietician). This includes regular and timely reviews if needs change
- Ensure that participants are involved in assessment and development of their plan which identifies:
- their individual needs and preferences (food, fluids, preparation, feeding equipment)
- management of risks, incidents, and emergencies including required actions and escalation plans
- Ensure that they have training plans for Support Workers to support participants with the person’s individual mealtime plan developed by the Speech Pathologist.
What does this mean for Xavier clients?
Xavier Support Workers
These changes may effect your child or young person if they have Xavier Support Workers assisting them with mealtimes. This includes where children require a modified diet, or assistance to eat or drink. As a registered NDIS provider, Xavier is required to comply with the NDIS changes outlined above.
Private / Other Support Workers
If you have a Support Worker who is not employed by Xavier, your Xavier Speech Pathologist is required to advise you:
- If they believe that the participant requires a mealtime plan, and
- If your Support Workers require training for the mealtime plan
It is the responsibility of the employer of the Support Worker:
- To arrange and ensure that any of their staff supporting the participant with mealtimes is provided with training, and
- Mealtime plans are reviewed as recommended by the Speech Pathologist.
Payment for this training should be covered by a participant’s NDIS plan
Other considerations
When your NDIS Plan is reviewed, if the participant requires a mealtime plan or a Support Worker to be trained, be aware that you will require funding for
- Speech Pathologist mealtime assessments and reviews
- Speech Pathologist’s time to write a mealtime plan
- Dietician reviews and reports if required
If your Support Workers require training, additional time will be required for
- The Support Worker/s to be trained
- The Speech Pathologist to provide training
- Training for any new Support Workers that you may have during the duration of the NDIS Plan
Further info
Please click through for more detailed information about these changes from the NDIS or ask your Xavier support team or speech pathologist.
