{{org_field_logo}}

{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

---

Moving and Handling Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all moving and handling activities carried out by staff at {{org_field_name}} are performed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with relevant legislation. This policy outlines best practices, staff responsibilities, training requirements, and risk management strategies to prevent injuries to both service users and care staff.

This policy is aligned with:

• The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) – requires employers to avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable, assess risk and reduce risk.
• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – duties to protect staff and others and to assess and control workplace risks.
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) – duties to ensure lifting equipment and accessories used for people moving/handling are suitable, maintained and thoroughly examined by a competent person.
• The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 and the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017 (as amended) – requirements to provide safe care and to identify and reduce health and safety risks.
• Welsh Government statutory guidance for care home and domiciliary support service providers (Version 3, March 2024) which CIW uses to inform regulation and inspection.
• CIW notification requirements and inspection framework expectations for regulated services.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All employees providing domiciliary care at {{org_field_name}}.
• Service users who require assistance with mobility, transfers, and repositioning.
• External professionals, contractors, and family members involved in moving and handling service users.

It covers:

• Legal and regulatory compliance
• Risk assessment procedures
• Best practices for safe moving and handling
• Use of specialist equipment
• Training and competency requirements
• Incident reporting and monitoring

3. Roles, responsibilities and accountability

Registered Manager / Person in Charge is responsible for ensuring:

• service-user specific moving and handling risk assessments and handling plans are completed, implemented, reviewed and audited;
• staff are trained, supervised and assessed as competent for the tasks they undertake;
• equipment provided/used is appropriate, available, maintained, cleaned and safe;
• incidents, near misses and equipment defects are investigated, actions are implemented and learning is shared.

All staff are responsible for:

• following the service user’s moving and handling plan and using the specified equipment/techniques only;
• completing pre-use safety checks and reporting defects immediately;
• stopping any manoeuvre that cannot be completed safely and escalating without delay;
• recording and reporting incidents/near misses and cooperating with reviews and training updates.

4. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

To meet our duties under Welsh regulation and inspection requirements, health and safety law, and statutory guidance, {{org_field_name}} will ensure that:

• moving and handling arrangements form part of our wider health and safety risk management system, including risk assessment, incident learning and governance reporting;
• each service user who requires assistance has an individual moving and handling risk assessment and handling plan that is accessible to staff and reflected within the person’s care/support documentation;
• staff are deployed in accordance with the handling plan (including two-person assistance or specialist support where required);
• equipment is provided where needed and is subject to pre-use checks, cleaning/decontamination where relevant, maintenance and LOLER thorough examination schedules;
• training, supervision and competency assessment records are maintained and available for inspection. (Service providers are expected to keep written training/supervision records.)

5. Risk Assessment Procedures

5.1 Initial Risk Assessment

Before any moving or handling activity takes place, an individual risk assessment must be conducted for each service user. This includes:

• Assessing mobility needs – Understanding the level of assistance required.
• Identifying health conditions – Checking for osteoporosis, arthritis, or other conditions affecting movement.
• Evaluating the environment – Ensuring there are no obstacles or hazards that could cause injury.
• Determining equipment needs – Identifying if hoists, slings, or transfer boards are necessary.

The risk assessment must produce a written Moving and Handling Plan that states: the agreed method(s), required equipment (including sling type/size where relevant), number of staff required, environmental set-up, and any specific safety precautions.

The assessment must also consider capacity and consent. Where an individual may lack capacity to consent to the proposed arrangements, staff must act in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and any applicable safeguards/authorisations, and ensure any actions are in the person’s best interests and least restrictive option.

Lone working: Where care is delivered by one worker in a person’s home, the risk assessment must explicitly confirm whether tasks can be completed safely by one worker. If not, the plan must specify two-worker support or an alternative arrangement.

5.2 Ongoing Risk Reviews

• Risk assessments must be reviewed regularly and updated whenever a service user’s mobility changes.
• Any new risks identified during care provision must be reported to the Registered Manager for immediate action.

If staff arrive and the plan cannot be followed safely (for example, environment changed, equipment unavailable, the individual’s condition changed), staff must pause the task, complete a dynamic risk assessment, and escalate to the Registered Manager for immediate review before proceeding.

6. Best Practices for Safe Moving and Handling

6.1 General Handling Techniques

• Always encourage service users to be as independent as possible.
• Maintain a stable base and balanced posture when lifting or assisting movement.
• Avoid twisting or bending unnecessarily – Staff must use their legs, not their back, when lifting.
• Use two-person assistance where required to reduce strain on individual staff members.
• Plan the move before starting – Ensure all necessary equipment is in place.

6.2 Assisting Service Users with Mobility

• Sitting to Standing Transfers
  • Use verbal cues and gentle guidance to encourage independence.
  • Ensure feet are placed firmly on the ground before standing.
  • Use a handling belt where appropriate to provide additional support.
• Bed to Chair Transfers
  • Ensure the wheelchair or chair is locked and stable before transferring.
  • Position yourself to support the service user’s weight evenly.
  • Use slide sheets or transfer boards if necessary to minimise lifting.
• Using a Hoist for Transfers
  • Only trained staff should operate hoists.
  • Check sling size and compatibility with the service user’s needs.
  • Ensure that hoist batteries are charged and functioning before use.

6.3 Handling of Heavy Loads

• Avoid manual lifting where possible – use mechanical aids.
• If manual lifting is unavoidable, follow correct posture and lifting techniques.

7. Use of Specialist Equipment

7.1 Equipment for Safe Moving and Handling

To minimise risks, {{org_field_name}} provides and promotes the use of:

• Mobile hoists and ceiling track hoists.
• Stand aids and transfer boards.
• Handling belts and slide sheets.
• Adjustable beds and support rails.

7.2 Equipment Maintenance and Safety Checks

• All equipment must be checked before use to ensure it is in good working condition.
• Defective or damaged equipment must be reported immediately to the Registered Manager.
• Routine servicing and maintenance of hoists and mobility aids will be conducted in compliance with Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).
• Equipment must also meet the requirements of PUWER (suitability, maintenance, inspection, and that staff have adequate information/instruction).
• LOLER thorough examination frequency: lifting equipment used to lift people and associated accessories must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every 6 months (or in accordance with a written examination scheme), and records/certificates must be retained and made available on request.
• Slings and accessories: slings must be compatible with the hoist, labelled/traceable, inspected before each use, and removed from service immediately if damaged or if inspection status is unknown.

8. Training and Competency Requirements

8.1 Mandatory Moving and Handling Training

• All new staff members must complete accredited moving and handling training before assisting service users.
• Training covers:
  • Risk assessment techniques.
  • Manual handling principles.
  • Safe use of hoists and other mobility aids.
  • Emergency procedures for handling falls or sudden mobility loss.

A written record of moving and handling training and supervision undertaken (and planned refresher dates) must be maintained for each staff member and be available for CIW inspection.

8.2 Ongoing Competency Assessments

• Staff must complete annual refresher training to maintain their competency.
• Competency assessments include practical evaluations of moving and handling techniques.
• Staff who fail to demonstrate safe handling skills will receive additional support and retraining.

Competence will be reviewed through supervision and observed practice, and whenever an incident/near miss occurs or when a service user’s handling plan changes.

9. Incident Reporting and Monitoring

9.1 Reporting Moving and Handling Incidents

• Any injury, near-miss, or equipment failure must be reported immediately to the Registered Manager.
• An Incident Report Form must be completed detailing:
  • Date and time of the incident.
  • Service user/staff involved.
  • Nature of the incident and any injuries sustained.
  • Corrective actions taken to prevent recurrence.

9.2 Investigating Incidents and Preventing Recurrence

• The Registered Manager will conduct a full investigation to determine the root cause.
• Lessons learned will be shared with the team to improve safety measures.
• Risk assessments will be updated following any incident.

Where required, we will ensure we act openly and appropriately with the individual and/or their representative in line with our organisational duty of candour approach.

9.3 External notifications and statutory reporting

Where an accident or injury meets CIW notification thresholds, the service will notify CIW without delay and in the required manner, in line with Schedule 3 notification duties for regulated services and CIW notification processes.

Notifications include (where applicable) serious accidents or injuries requiring treatment by a healthcare professional and resulting in significant harm outcomes, in line with statutory guidance expectations.

Where an incident is reportable under RIDDOR, the service will also report to the Health and Safety Executive within the required timescales.

10. Monitoring and Compliance

• Regular audits will be conducted to assess compliance with moving and handling procedures.
• Service user feedback will be gathered to ensure safe and comfortable care.
• CIW inspections will assess moving and handling practices as part of regulatory compliance checks.

11. Related Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

• Health and Safety at Work Policy (DCW16).
• Risk Management and Assessment Policy (DCW18).
• Emergency and Business Continuity Plan (DCW19).
• Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Improper Treatment Policy (DCW13).
• Medication Management and Administration Policy (DCW21) (for service users requiring medication post-mobility support).

12. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required by legislative updates, CIW regulations, or operational needs. Staff will be informed of any updates, and additional training will be provided as necessary.

---

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.