Mealtime Management Policy

Social Carers are unable to provide complex mealtime management support as a service. They can, however, assist with meal preparation or reminders, so long as certain requirements are met.

As a registered NDIS provider, Like Family wishes to empower all of our Members to have access to safe and enjoyable meals. Whilst our Social Carers are not qualified to provide high-risk or complex support during mealtimes, they are able to assist with basic meal preparation and cooking in order to ensure our Member's needs are met.

If a Member is in possession of a current Mealtime Management Plan, they are required to provide a copy to Like Family as a part of their onboarding onto our platform. Their plan is then distributed to Social Carers with whom the Member wishes to engage for support before they are able to create their first booking together.

Prior to the commencement of services, the chosen Social Carer must review the Member's Mealtime Management Plan and acknowledge that they have read and understand their requirements. They are also required to demonstrate that they have completed the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission's Supporting Safe and Enjoyable Meals training module.

We strongly encourage that a Meet and Greet take place before the first booking. Meet and Greets are offered free of charge and give the Member and Social Carer an opportunity to discuss specifically what role the Social Carer is expected to play during the provision of support during mealtimes. Topics of conversation should include:

• The Member's food allergies, intolerances, and preferences
  • E.g. Is the Member allergic to nuts? Lactose intolerant? Sensitive to food colouring? Do they have specific taste and flavour preferences?
• Additional food requirements
  • E.g. Do they require texture-modified foods or fluids?
• Food handling and storage requirements 
  • E.g. Do prepared meals need to be kept separate from ingredients for future meals? Does the Member have a preferred or familiar storage system for their meals?
• Processes to follow in the event of a safety incident (such as choking or coughing)

Social Carers must also be made aware of whether healthcare professionals (such as occupational therapists or speech pathologists) have been involved in the creation of the mealtime management plan. In such cases, the Social Carer must work closely with these professionals to understand how to best support the strategies they have implemented.

At the conclusion of the meet and greet, if all of the above topics have been covered and both the Member and Social Carer are satisfied with their understanding, services may commence as required.

In the event there is a change to the Member's Mealtime Management Plan, they will be required to provide an updated copy to Like Family for distribution to new Social Carers. They must also provide updated information to Social Carers with whom they regularly work with.