Dietetic support staff, join your professional community today
Dietetic Support Workforce Hub – a practical career resource for Associates
As an Associate member you gain full access to the BDA’s Dietetic Support Workforce Hub, our dedicated home for guidance, education pathways and practical tools designed specifically for support workers across Bands 3-4 and wider assistive roles. This is very much a one-stop shop for understanding scope of practice, role expectations, national education requirements and day-to-day professional standards.
It gives you credible guidance mapped against the BDA Dietetic Career Framework, outlines typical knowledge and skills for support roles, and helps you navigate training options across all four nations. Crucially, it’s designed to help you evidence safe practice, support progression, and build confidence working under supervision or more autonomously within your role.
You’ll also benefit from case studies, education signposting, advocacy activity and recognition opportunities (such as the Dorothy Hopwood Award) – all reinforcing the essential contribution support staff make to dietetic services. In short, it’s a continuously developing professional hub created to support your growth, represent your interests and help you move forward in your career.
Eligibility for Associate membership
- Dietetic support workers and dietetic assistant practitioners working under the direct supervision of a dietitian in the UK
What benefits are included?
Click here for a full overview of available member benefits
Annual Cost
BDA Associate membership is excellent value for money, worth over £2,000 but costing just £10 a month which includes professional indemnity insurance, advice and guidance from the BDA Trade Union alongside all these benefits, resources and services. See annual BDA associate membership costs.
Please Note: If you are eligible for registration with the HCPC through UK training and education, you will not be eligible for Associate membership and must become a BDA Full member
Find out why these existing support staff members joined the BDA community as Associate members
"I find it invaluable to have a sense of belonging to a wider dietetic network. The BDA has core values and standards that I identify with, which gives my practice credibility and professional fulfilment. There are many benefits and rewards with BDA membership. Indemnity insurance and legal advice give me peace of mind and assurance of existing support if needed. I also enjoy free membership of my local BDA branch attending interesting CPD activities with excellent speakers. You may find it strange, but dietetics is my adrenaline!" Magdalena Kot, BDA Associate Member
"Being new to the field of Dietetics, I initially joined as a BDA Associate member to learn about the BDA and to be part of a trade union. I now really value the DSW courses, member resources and the Dietetics Today magazine to keep me up-to-date on topical areas. And it has been great talking to other DSW/DAs about their experiences." Natasha Morris, BDA Associate member
Going back to study?
We know a number of dietetic support staff choose to go back to university to study a BDA accredited, HCPC approved nutrition and dietetic course which upon graduation leads to becoming a registered dietitian. If you choose this path, we help you by inviting you to take advantage of moving to our Student Membership, which is free in year one.
You can log on and update your membership where you will be asked to choose the tutor at your university to approve your application. Good luck in your studies!
