This framework is not intended for qualified SLTs and we recommend members use the SLT EDS competency framework.
Back to Eating, drinking and swallowing.
The eating, drinking and swallowing competency framework (EDSCF) is an assessable competency framework aimed at carers and other professionals rather than SLTs working with people with dysphagia.
The framework seeks to:
- provide the flexibility that meets the needs of different working environments, e.g. community, hospitals, schools, hospice and care homes, enabling individuals to apply guidance for managing stretched services
- set out the knowledge and skills needed to screen, assess, support and refer for further assessment to support patients with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties
- define the levels of decision making to promote consistency in the approach to eating, drinking and swallowing management and thereby improve standards of care
- offer direction to individual training establishments to identify what training would be appropriate for practitioners at each level.
This framework identifies six levels of decision making and identifies competencies that are requisite to each member of the team, acknowledging the role of the specialist carer who may have considerable knowledge regarding the individual with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. The levels include competencies specific to dysphagia that can be cross-referenced with those of the dysphagia competencies from Skills for Care and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Download the different levels separately:
- Level 1: Public Health Messages, Awareness
- Level 2: Care Plan Implementation
- Level 3: Identification and Implementation of an interim eating and drinking plan
- Level 4: Protocol-Guided Assessment and Management
- Level 5: Specialist Assessment and Management
- Level 6: Consultant Assessment and Management
