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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Nutritional and Hydration Support Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Nutritional and Hydration Support Policy is to provide clear, lawful, and professional guidance to all temporary workers employed by {{org_field_name}} on how to support and promote safe, effective, and person-centred nutrition and hydration for clients within the care environments where they are assigned. This policy ensures that the nutritional and hydration needs of individuals are met in line with their preferences, health conditions, and cultural beliefs, while complying with relevant legislation, professional codes, and best practice guidance. Adequate nutrition and hydration are fundamental to maintaining health, preventing deterioration, and improving the quality of life for individuals receiving care. This policy reflects the requirements of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, the Care Act 2014, the NICE Quality Standard (QS24) on Nutrition Support for Adults, and guidance from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). {{org_field_name}} is committed to ensuring that its temporary workers, including registered nurses and healthcare assistants, fully understand their responsibilities regarding the assessment, monitoring, and support of clients’ nutritional and hydration needs, working closely with client organisations to maintain high standards of care.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All temporary workers employed by {{org_field_name}}, including registered nurses, healthcare assistants, and other support staff engaged under zero-hours or casual contracts
• All clients and client organisations who receive staffing services from {{org_field_name}}, including residential care homes, nursing homes, and other regulated health and social care settings
• All circumstances in which temporary workers are involved in supporting, assisting, or monitoring service users’ nutrition and hydration as part of their duties

This policy applies to both planned care and the management of unforeseen circumstances affecting nutrition and hydration, such as deterioration, illness, or changes in a service user’s condition.

3. Related Policies

• Safeguarding Adults and Children Policy
• Infection Prevention and Control Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Incident Reporting and Management Policy
• Record Keeping and Confidentiality Policy
• Code of Conduct for Temporary Workers
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy

4. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy is underpinned by:

• The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, Regulation 14: Meeting nutritional and hydration needs
• The Care Act 2014, promoting wellbeing, dignity, and safeguarding
• The Mental Capacity Act 2005, supporting clients who may lack capacity to make decisions about nutrition and hydration
• The NICE Quality Standard QS24: Nutrition support for adults
• The Human Rights Act 1998, ensuring respect for private and family life, dignity, and autonomy
• The Equality Act 2010, ensuring dietary needs linked to cultural or religious beliefs are respected

5. Principles

Temporary workers are expected to:

• Promote and protect the nutritional and hydration needs of service users at all times
• Ensure clients have access to sufficient food and drink throughout their care
• Recognise the role of nutrition and hydration in promoting health, preventing deterioration, and maintaining dignity
• Follow person-centred care principles by respecting the preferences, cultural needs, dietary requirements, and choices of service users
• Act promptly if a service user is identified as at risk of malnutrition, dehydration, or choking
• Work in partnership with client organisations to ensure safe and appropriate care is provided

6. Temporary Workers’ Responsibilities

Temporary workers must:

• Follow the client’s care plan relating to nutrition and hydration at all times
• Support service users in accordance with their individual preferences and capacity
• Observe, monitor, and report any signs of poor nutritional intake, weight loss, dehydration, or swallowing difficulties
• Promote a positive and enjoyable dining experience
• Maintain accurate records of food and fluid intake when required by the client’s procedures
• Refer any concerns about a client’s nutritional or hydration status promptly to the appropriate person within the client organisation and to {{org_field_name}}

7. Assessment and Care Planning

Temporary workers must:

• Familiarise themselves with each client’s individual care plan on arrival at the client’s premises
• Support care plans which incorporate nutritional assessments such as MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) or equivalent
• Recognise and report signs of malnutrition (e.g., significant weight loss, reduced appetite) and dehydration (e.g., dry mouth, confusion, reduced urine output)
• Record findings clearly and promptly using the documentation system in place at the client organisation
• Respect dietary restrictions due to allergies, intolerances, religious or cultural beliefs, or medical conditions

Temporary workers are not responsible for conducting formal nutritional assessments but must contribute to the monitoring and early identification of concerns by reporting observations to the appropriate person.

8. Supporting Safe Eating and Drinking

Temporary workers must:

• Promote independence, encouraging clients to eat and drink for themselves whenever possible
• Provide support sensitively to clients who require assistance with eating and drinking, ensuring dignity and comfort
• Follow any speech and language therapist (SALT) recommendations or other specialist advice provided in the care plan regarding swallowing difficulties
• Follow safe positioning and feeding practices to reduce the risk of aspiration and choking
• Never force clients to eat or drink if they refuse, but document and report the refusal appropriately

9. Cultural, Religious, and Personal Preferences

Temporary workers must:

• Ensure clients’ cultural, religious, or personal food preferences are respected at all times
• Liaise with client staff when unfamiliar with particular dietary needs to ensure appropriate foods and drinks are offered
• Take into account fasting practices and religious observances when supporting individuals
• Respect the client’s choices even when they differ from the worker’s personal beliefs

10. Fluid Intake and Hydration Support

Temporary workers must:

• Ensure clients have access to fluids at all times, unless restricted for medical reasons
• Encourage regular fluid intake, especially for older people or those at risk of dehydration
• Monitor for signs of dehydration, including dry skin, confusion, constipation, or reduced urine output
• Record fluid intake accurately where care plans or risk assessments require monitoring
• Report concerns about hydration to the client’s responsible person and {{org_field_name}}

11. Responding to Nutritional and Hydration Concerns

Temporary workers must:

• Act immediately if a client shows signs of distress while eating or drinking (e.g., choking, difficulty swallowing)
• Notify senior staff at the client organisation without delay and follow emergency procedures if required
• Document all incidents, refusals, or concerns clearly in the client’s records and notify {{org_field_name}} if appropriate
• Work with the client’s team to develop or adjust care to ensure safe and effective support
• Engage in debriefs or reflective supervision following incidents to improve practice

12. Record Keeping and Documentation

Temporary workers must:

• Keep accurate, legible, and timely records of food and fluid intake where required by the client organisation
• Document any refusals, concerns, or interventions related to nutrition or hydration
• Complete client-specific documentation systems, whether paper-based or electronic
• Ensure all records are treated as confidential and comply with {{org_field_name}}’s Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy and the Data Protection Act 2018

13. Safeguarding and Nutritional Neglect

Poor nutrition or hydration may constitute neglect under safeguarding legislation. Temporary workers must:

• Treat inadequate provision of food or fluids, missed meals, or forced feeding as safeguarding concerns
• Report any suspicions or evidence of neglect immediately to the client’s responsible person and {{org_field_name}} in line with the Safeguarding Adults and Children Policy
• Record safeguarding concerns factually and accurately
• Cooperate fully with any safeguarding enquiry, investigation, or regulatory inspection

14. Training

{{org_field_name}} will:

• Ensure that all temporary workers receive training on supporting nutrition and hydration as part of their induction
• Provide refresher training when required, especially following incidents, complaints, or changes in legislation
• Verify that workers are familiar with the relevant CQC Fundamental Standards related to nutrition and hydration
• Include topics such as recognising malnutrition and dehydration, supporting safe feeding, and respecting cultural dietary needs

Temporary workers must:

• Complete mandatory training before undertaking assignments
• Participate in ongoing learning and supervision related to nutrition and hydration
• Seek guidance when unsure about client needs or safe practices

15. Director’s Responsibilities

In the absence of a registered manager, the director will:

• Take full responsibility for the implementation, monitoring, and review of this policy
• Oversee training delivery to ensure all workers are competent in nutritional and hydration support
• Review all incidents, complaints, or concerns related to nutrition and hydration
• Liaise with client organisations and regulatory bodies to maintain high standards of care
• Support temporary workers with reflective supervision and debriefs following incidents involving nutrition and hydration

16. Working with Clients

{{org_field_name}} will:

• Ensure that temporary workers are made aware of client-specific policies and procedures relating to nutrition and hydration upon placement
• Support client organisations to meet CQC Fundamental Standards, especially Regulation 14 regarding nutrition and hydration
• Cooperate fully with clients when responding to incidents, complaints, or concerns
• Share learning from incidents and audits with clients to improve practice and outcomes

17. Continuous Improvement

The director will:

• Review this policy annually or sooner if required by legislation or changes in best practice
• Use incident data, worker feedback, client feedback, and audit findings to improve policy and training
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and quality improvement across all areas of nutrition and hydration support

18. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the director of {{org_field_name}} or sooner if prompted by legislative, regulatory, or operational changes. Any updates will be promptly communicated to temporary workers, clients, and other relevant stakeholders.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.