BDA Classroom courses

As part of our provision of quality assured education and continuing professional development programmes for both dietitians and the dietetic support workforce, the BDA has developed a wide range of classroom-based training courses.

These one or two day courses are delivered by highly experienced facilitators at the BDA office in Birmingham or online. This CPD activity helps members to update their professional skills and knowledge base and also provide an opportunity for delegates to network with other BDA members, share best practice and provide mutual support.

Courses are provided to suit those at different levels of the career framework, although following a BDA member survey, the target audience for courses in specialist areas of dietetic practice has changed from entry to specialist level.

Course topics and structure

BDA Classroom courses are delivered using a blended learning approach, with pre-course modules delivered online via the BDA Learning Zone which precedes a day of face to face instructor-led training in the BDA Classroom.

A range of programmes are also offered to provide formal training for the dietetic support workforce (DSW). Upon completion of three or more DSW modules, delegates will receive a full award certificate. There is also a supplementary module for those working with groups of individuals / service users.

Course topics and learning outcomes

All BDA courses have clearly defined learning outcomes where the target audience is specified to explicitly link BDA courses with Dietetic Career Framework levels for clarity.

See below for a list of our courses and their target audience.

Quality Assurance

There are a number of quality processes the BDA employs to ensure we deliver quality assured education

Course development is conducted by a relevant specialist (either a BDA Specialist Group, an advanced practitioner or an educationalist). The course is then peer reviewed by an independent specialist assessor. 

Delegate feedback is then collected post course and a substantial review is undertaken every two years, or when a major change to practice is introduced.

Facilitate BDA Classroom

The BDA commissions dietitians to run BDA Classroom courses. Individuals must have both the knowledge of the area of dietetics being delivered and significant teaching or course facilitation experience.  

All materials are provided, although our facilitators are able to make minor adjustments as best suits their preferred delivery style. 

Facilitators and speakers are required to have previous teaching experience and are currently working at an advanced level in the required course specialism.

To find out more, please contact us at [email protected]

Group training

Sending multiple staff on one programme can be costly, particularly when travel costs are factored in and it can be difficult to release staff on a date pre-determined by the BDA.

The BDA offers departments an alternative option, the opportunity to purchase our BDA Classroom based courses to be delivered at their own Trust to their own staff members*. Courses are run by a BDA approved facilitator, and this is included in the purchase price.

There are many benefits to this option, including:

• Courses can be run at dates convenient to the department
• Departments would not incur staff travel costs
• Overall cost savings to the department
• Negotiation between department and facilitator in order to tailor the format of events to suit an individual department’s requirements
• Team dynamics and the opportunity to agree strategies for implementing the knowledge into practice

Contact [email protected] for further details and costs.

* It is the responsibility of the purchaser to provide the venue.