Complete Care Training
Unit 8: Promoting Nutrition and Hydration in Adult Social Care Settings
Nutrition & Food SafetyLevel 2

Unit 8: Promoting Nutrition and Hydration in Adult Social Care Settings

This unit provides learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to support, monitor, and promote effective nutrition and hydration in adult social care settings. It explores the importance of balanced diets and adequate fluid intake in maintaining health, preventing illness, and supporting recovery. Learners will develop an understanding of how to assess individual nutrition and hydration needs, recognise early signs of malnutrition and dehydration, and respond appropriately to risks. The unit also covers safe food handling practices, person-centred care approaches, and the importance of accurate monitoring, recording, and reporting. In addition, learners will explore how changing health conditions, environmental factors, and personal preferences influence dietary needs, and how to work collaboratively with healthcare professionals to ensure safe and effective care. By the end of the unit, learners will be equipped to provide safe, responsive, and person-centred nutrition and hydration support that meets regulatory standards and improves wellbeing outcomes.

2 hours 45 minutes
Created by Sophie Barber Updated 11/2026 English
Part of Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate · Course 8 of 15

Available only in Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate

This course isn't sold on its own. You get it, with every other course in the pathway, when you enrol on the pathway.

£1400.00, was £1500.0015 courses
See the pathway

What you'll learn

Describe the importance of food safety, including hygiene in the preparation and handling of food.
Describe the reasons individuals you support may be at higher risk due to poor food safety.
List the importance of good nutrition and hydration in maintaining health and wellbeing.
Identify signs and symptoms of poor nutrition and hydration.

Course content

14 modules

Why food safety matters in care, and the hygiene practices for preparing, storing and serving food and drink safely.
Why older people and those with weakened immunity, swallowing difficulties or long-term conditions face higher risks from unsafe food.
Written assessment on food safety and hygiene: safe preparation and handling and the risks of poor practice.
How good nutrition and hydration support health, recovery, independence, mood and quality of life.
Physical, behavioural and emotional signs of poor nutrition and dehydration, from weight loss to confusion and dark urine.
Practical ways to encourage people to eat and drink well, including mealtime environment, choice, timing and support.
How to spot changes or risks in a person's eating and drinking, and how and when to report them.
Written assessment on nutrition and hydration: signs of poor intake, supporting individuals and monitoring and reporting concerns.
How to identify a person's nutrition and hydration needs through observation, conversation, care plans and screening tools.
Health, cultural, religious, physical and emotional factors that can affect what and how a person eats and drinks.
How to support people with food and drink in line with their preferences, needs, dietary requirements and care plan.
How to monitor and record food and fluid intake accurately, and why good records protect people's health.
When to seek advice from a manager, nurse, GP, dietitian or speech and language therapist about eating and drinking.
Written assessment on individual nutrition and hydration needs, person-centred support in line with care plans and escalating concerns.

Specialist

Sophie Barber

A qualified teacher, examiner and content creator, Sophie has over 10 years experience developing resources for examination boards to ensure that they are using effective learning tools. An ex-medic, Sophie has a huge passion for the healthcare profession and the importance of delivering quality care.

Training you can trust

How this course works. You will work through self-paced modules, check your understanding with knowledge checks, and finish with a short assessment. On passing, your CPD-certified certificate is available to download immediately, ready for your CQC evidence file or employer records.

This certificate does not expire.

Accredited by CPD

All of our courses are accredited by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to universally accepted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

Frequently asked questions

There is no deadline: a one-off purchase gives you lifetime access to the course, including updates, so you can complete it at your own pace across shifts.
Yes. Every course is accredited by the CPD Certification Service, and the certificate states the course, the level and the date you passed.
Yes. It works on phone, tablet and computer, and your progress syncs between them.
Your certificate is generated the moment you pass the final assessment, ready to download or print.