This course is designed to help lay the foundations of childhood nutrition (in healthy and sick children) which discusses the importance of growth, breastfeeding, and early dietary practices; basic nutritional requirements and recommendations for all children; common nutritional issues; detecting nutritional risk and faltering growth; an overview of dietetic management in some common conditions. 

Principles of nutrition support strategies are briefly outlined, from therapeutic diets to the range of condition-specific nutrition support products available, the various modes of enteral feeding and considerations of vegan and cultural dietary practices are also discussed.  

The course also aims to provide an opportunity to develop reflective practice skills, and communication skills with different personnel, share best practice experiences in the world of dietetic support workers in paediatrics, and discuss ways in which services can be improved and developed. 

The course is well suited to dietetic support workers new to paediatrics and to those wishing to refresh their knowledge, skills and build their network.


Basic Nutrition Principles & Advancing Dietetic Support Worker Practice in Paediatrics 8th September 2023

Learning aims

To increase the knowledge of dietetic support workers in paediatrics on:

  • the importance of growth & role of nutrition in all children
  • the role of nutrition in common paediatric conditions & common concerns
  • the principles of therapeutic diets, nutrition support, and nutrition risk screening
  • how to effectively communicate with parents/carers and children  

To share and understand best practice experiences and discuss ways in which practice can be improved and developed.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of all sessions each participant will:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of nutrition in all children and the effect of growth on nutritional requirements (0 - 18 years)
  • Describe the importance of breastfeeding, early feeding practices, how the diet changes through the various stages of development, and dietary variations (vegan and cultural differences)
  • Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the most important nutritional messages with common paediatric conditions
  • Be aware of:
    • common childhood concerns
    • faltering growth
    • the range of nutritional support including enteral tube feeding
  • To demonstrate an understanding of plotting growth and key practice points
  • Be aware of the ways in which nutritional screening tools such as STAMP can be used to identify nutritional risks in children