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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Moving and Handling Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all moving and handling at {{org_field_name}} is carried out safely, lawfully, consistently, and in a person-centred way that protects the well-being, dignity, independence, rights and safety of people using the service, staff, visitors and others who may be affected.

This policy sets out the arrangements for assessing moving and handling needs, planning care and support, providing suitable equipment, ensuring staff competency, maintaining accurate records, and responding appropriately to incidents, concerns and changes in need.

This policy is to be read alongside each individual’s personal plan, moving and handling risk assessment, equipment instructions, and any relevant professional advice.

This policy is informed by, and should be implemented in line with, the following legislation and guidance as amended from time to time:

• Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016;
• The Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017, as amended;
• Welsh Government statutory guidance for providers of care home and domiciliary support services, version 3, March 2024;
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992;
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER);
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER);
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR);
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999;
• Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, where applicable;
• Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014;
• Equality Act 2010;
• current Care Inspectorate Wales requirements, inspection framework and notification requirements; and
• relevant Social Care Wales Codes of Professional Practice and practice guidance.

At {{org_field_name}}, moving and handling must never be treated as a routine task only. It must always be based on an individual assessment, delivered in accordance with the person’s current personal plan, and carried out by staff who are trained, competent and authorised to use the specific technique or equipment required.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, including permanent staff, temporary staff, agency staff, bank staff, students, volunteers, managers and any other person working on behalf of {{org_field_name}}.

It applies to:

• all moving and handling of people using the service;
• repositioning in bed or chair;
• assisted mobility and walking;
• transfers between bed, chair, wheelchair, toilet, bath, commode or other equipment;
• use of hoists, slings, stand aids, transfer belts, slide sheets, transfer boards and any other moving and handling equipment;
• the moving and handling of loads, equipment, furniture and supplies where this may affect the safety of staff or people using the service;
• emergency situations, including falls, sudden illness, evacuation and urgent changes in mobility;
• contractors or visiting professionals where moving and handling activity takes place on the premises or alongside our staff.

This policy applies at all times and in all areas of the service, including bedrooms, communal areas, bathrooms, external areas and vehicles where relevant.

3. Principles of Safe Moving and Handling

3.1. Promoting a Safe, Dignified and Person-Centred Approach

At {{org_field_name}}, moving and handling will be carried out in a way that:

• protects the person’s dignity, privacy, comfort and safety;
• promotes independence and avoids unnecessary assistance wherever safe to do so;
• reflects the individual’s assessed needs, wishes, preferences, communication needs, culture and personal outcomes;
• uses the least restrictive and safest method available;
• avoids hazardous manual handling so far as reasonably practicable;
• ensures equipment is used only where assessed as suitable and by staff who are trained and competent in that specific equipment or method; and
• supports staff to stop and seek advice where a moving and handling task is unsafe, unclear, or inconsistent with the current plan.

People using the service must be spoken to appropriately before, during and after any move or transfer, and staff must explain what is happening, obtain consent where the person has capacity to give it, and respond to any distress, pain, fear or refusal.

3.2. Risk Assessments, Provider Assessment and Personal Plans

A moving and handling assessment must be completed for any individual who requires assistance with mobility, transfers, repositioning or use of moving and handling equipment.

The assessment must be person-centred and must be read alongside the individual’s provider assessment, personal plan and any relevant clinical or therapy advice. It must be completed before the moving and handling task is undertaken wherever possible, and reviewed promptly if there is any change in need or any incident.

The assessment must include, as applicable:

• the individual’s current mobility, weight-bearing status, posture, balance, strength, pain, fatigue, cognition and ability to follow instructions;
• the person’s communication needs, wishes, preferences, routines and consent;
• whether the person has capacity to make the relevant decision and, where capacity is lacking, how the decision has been made lawfully and in the person’s best interests;
• any medical conditions, injuries, frailty, contractures, skin integrity concerns, fractures, recent surgery, bariatric needs or other contraindications affecting movement;
• the safest method of transfer or repositioning;
• the exact equipment to be used, including the correct sling type and size where relevant;
• the number of staff required;
• the environment in which the task will be undertaken, including space, flooring, bed height, chair height, lighting, privacy and potential obstructions;
• any infection prevention and control requirements;
• actions to be taken if the planned move cannot be completed safely;
• any risks to the individual, staff or others; and
• emergency arrangements, including what to do after a fall or sudden deterioration.

The moving and handling plan must clearly state the agreed method of support in sufficient detail for staff to follow it safely and consistently on a day-to-day basis.

Moving and handling assessments must be reviewed:

• on admission;
• following any fall, injury, pain episode, illness or hospital admission;
• after any significant change in mobility, cognition, behaviour or weight-bearing ability;
• when new equipment is introduced;
• when the person expresses discomfort or a preference for a different method;
• after any incident, near miss or concern; and
• at planned review intervals set by the service, even where no change has been identified.

No member of staff should improvise a transfer method that is not set out in the current plan unless immediate action is required to prevent serious harm. Any such situation must be reported and reviewed immediately afterwards.

3.3. Staff Training, Competency and Authorisation

All staff who undertake or assist with moving and handling must receive training appropriate to their role and must be assessed as competent before carrying out moving and handling tasks independently.

Training must include, as applicable:

• legal duties and the principles of safer moving and handling;
• person-centred assessment and care planning;
• use of specific equipment used within the service;
• correct selection and checking of slings and attachments;
• communication, consent and dignity during transfers;
• recognising pain, distress, fatigue and unsafe presentation;
• repositioning and pressure-area considerations;
• managing falls in line with the Falls Policy and without undertaking unsafe manual lifting;
• infection prevention and control in relation to moving and handling equipment;
• incident reporting and escalation;
• mental capacity, best interests and restrictive practice considerations where relevant.

Competency must be assessed in practice and not assumed solely because training has been attended.

Staff must not use a hoist, stand aid, sling or other moving and handling equipment unless they have:

• completed training for that equipment or technique;
• been assessed as competent;
• read and understood the relevant care plan and risk assessment; and
• been authorised to undertake the task.

Agency, bank and temporary staff must not undertake moving and handling tasks unless the service has assured itself that they are trained, competent, and familiar with the individual’s current moving and handling plan and the equipment to be used.

Refresher training, practical reassessment and additional supervision must be provided at suitable intervals and sooner where:

• practice concerns are identified;
• equipment changes;
• an incident or near miss occurs; or
• staff are required to support people with complex or changing needs.

A written record must be kept of all moving and handling training, practical competency assessments, refresher training and any restrictions on practice.

3.4. Safe Selection, Checking and Use of Equipment

{{org_field_name}} will provide suitable moving and handling equipment to meet assessed needs and reduce manual handling risk so far as reasonably practicable.

Equipment may include, where relevant:

• ceiling track hoists;
• mobile hoists;
• stand aids;
• slings;
• slide sheets;
• transfer boards;
• transfer belts where appropriate;
• profiling beds;
• specialist chairs;
• wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

Before use, staff must carry out a visual and functional check of any moving and handling equipment and must not use equipment if there is any concern about its safety, cleanliness, suitability or condition.

Pre-use checks must include, where relevant:

• the correct equipment for the individual and task;
• sling type, size, attachment points and safe working load;
• visible damage, wear, missing labels or identification;
• battery charge or power source;
• brakes, wheels, clips, loops, straps and spreader bar condition;
• cleanliness and decontamination status; and
• whether the equipment has a current service or examination status where applicable.

Defective or unsafe equipment must be taken out of use immediately, clearly labelled, reported without delay, and isolated until repaired, replaced or formally condemned.

Hoists, slings and other lifting equipment must be maintained, inspected and thoroughly examined in accordance with manufacturer instructions and legal requirements. Records of servicing, maintenance, thorough examination, repair and condemnation must be kept.

Lifting operations involving people must be planned appropriately, carried out using the agreed method in the individual’s plan, and supervised as necessary to maintain safety and dignity.

3.5. Promoting Independence, Choice and Personal Outcomes

Wherever it is safe and appropriate, people using the service will be encouraged and supported to do as much as possible for themselves.

This includes:

• supporting self-mobilisation where safe;
• encouraging participation in transfers and repositioning;
• using the least intrusive level of assistance required;
• ensuring equipment supports independence rather than replacing it unnecessarily;
• involving the individual in decisions about how support is provided; and
• seeking therapy or specialist advice where this may improve safety, comfort, mobility or independence.

The aim of moving and handling support is not only to complete a task safely, but also to promote comfort, confidence, control, independence and well-being.

3.6. Consent, Mental Capacity and Restrictive Practice

Where an individual has capacity to make a decision about moving and handling support, their valid consent must be sought before assistance is provided.

If a person refuses support, staff must not force the move unless immediate action is required to prevent serious harm. Staff must instead:

• stop and make the situation safe;
• seek to understand the reason for refusal or distress;
• consider pain, fear, communication needs, environment, timing and dignity;
• escalate for advice where needed; and
• record the refusal and any action taken.

Where there is doubt about capacity to make the relevant decision, staff must follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated policy. If a person lacks capacity, any decision about moving and handling support must be made lawfully, be in the person’s best interests, and be the least restrictive option available.

Moving and handling must never be used as a form of control or punishment. Any restrictive intervention associated with moving and handling must be necessary, proportionate, time-limited, clearly recorded, and reviewed.

3.7. Incident Reporting, Notifications and Learning

All moving and handling accidents, incidents, near misses, equipment defects, unsafe practices, pain responses, unexplained bruising, refusals that create significant risk, and concerns about staff practice must be reported immediately in accordance with the Incident Reporting Policy.

The Registered Manager, or delegated senior person, must review each reported event promptly to determine whether any further action is required, including:

• immediate review of the moving and handling assessment and personal plan;
• medical review or emergency services involvement;
• equipment withdrawal, servicing or replacement;
• staff supervision, retraining or disciplinary action where appropriate;
• safeguarding referral;
• notification to CIW in line with regulatory requirements; and
• RIDDOR reporting where the incident meets the reporting threshold.

A written record must be made of:

• what happened;
• who was involved;
• the equipment used, if any;
• the immediate actions taken;
• the outcome for the individual and staff;
• whether family, representatives, healthcare professionals, safeguarding or CIW were informed; and
• what changes were made to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Incidents and near misses must be analysed for trends and themes. Learning from these events must be used to improve care planning, staffing, competency, supervision, procurement and equipment management.

4. Managing Moving and Handling Efficiently

4.1. Leadership and Accountability

The Registered Manager is accountable for ensuring this policy is implemented, monitored and reviewed.

This includes ensuring that:

• moving and handling assessments and plans are in place and current;
• suitable equipment is available, maintained and replaced as needed;
• staff are trained, supervised and assessed as competent;
• incidents, near misses and concerns are investigated appropriately;
• records are complete, accurate and secure; and
• any required notifications, referrals or reports are made without delay.

Senior staff and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day oversight of practice, including checking that staff follow current moving and handling plans and do not undertake unsafe or unauthorised practice.

Where designated, the Moving and Handling Lead will support monitoring, audit, staff guidance, equipment oversight and practice improvement, but overall accountability remains with the Registered Manager and provider.

4.2. Staff Communication and Supervision

• Regular team meetings and handovers include discussions on service user mobility and any changes to risk assessments.
• One-to-one supervision allows staff to raise concerns or request additional training.
• Peer support and mentoring help new staff develop confidence in their moving and handling skills.

Moving and handling practice must also be discussed through formal supervision, competency review and, where needed, reflective practice following incidents or near misses. Any gap in knowledge, confidence or safe practice must result in immediate support, restriction of practice where necessary, and a documented action plan.

4.3. Equipment Maintenance, Examination and Procurement

All moving and handling equipment must be subject to a clear system for:

• assessment of need before purchase;
• procurement of suitable equipment for the person, task and environment;
• asset identification and inventory control;
• cleaning and decontamination;
• routine pre-use checks by staff;
• scheduled inspection, servicing and maintenance;
• statutory thorough examination where required;
• repair, replacement and condemnation; and
• safe storage and charging.

Records must be maintained for each relevant item of equipment, including purchase details, service history, examination dates, repairs, faults, withdrawal from use and disposal.

Sling selection must be person-specific where required, and slings must be clearly identifiable and compatible with the hoist and the individual’s assessed needs.

No equipment is to be purchased or introduced into use unless staff can be trained in its safe use and the service can maintain it properly.

4.4. Monitoring, Audit and Quality Improvement

The service will monitor compliance with this policy through a programme of audit and governance review.

This will include review of:

• moving and handling assessments and personal plans;
• staff training and competency records;
• incident and near miss reports;
• equipment checks, servicing and examination records;
• supervision records;
• complaints, concerns and safeguarding information relevant to moving and handling; and
• feedback from people using the service, relatives, staff and professionals.

Where shortfalls are identified, the service will implement and record corrective action, allocate responsibility, set timescales and review whether the action has been effective.

Learning from audit, incidents, complaints and feedback will be fed into wider quality assurance and service improvement systems.

5. Record Keeping Requirements

The service must maintain accurate, complete, contemporaneous and secure records relating to moving and handling.

Records must include, as applicable:

• moving and handling assessments and reviews;
• personal plan entries relating to mobility, transfers and repositioning;
• consent, refusal, best-interest decisions and relevant capacity considerations;
• equipment allocation and sling selection;
• training and competency records;
• pre-use concerns, faults, repairs and equipment withdrawal;
• incident, accident and near miss reports;
• safeguarding referrals, notifications and RIDDOR reports where relevant;
• professional advice from occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses or other specialists; and
• audit findings and resulting action plans.

Records must be accessible to staff who need them to provide safe care, but stored securely and handled in accordance with confidentiality and data protection requirements.

6. Related Policies

This policy is supported by:

• CHW11 – Safe Care and Treatment Policy
• CHW16 – Health and Safety at Work Policy
• CHW18 – Risk Management and Assessment Policy
• CHW24 – Management of Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses Policy
• CHW27 – Staff Supervision, Training, and Development Policy

7. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner where there is:

• a change in legislation, regulation, statutory guidance, CIW requirements or HSE guidance;
• a significant incident, complaint, safeguarding concern or enforcement issue;
• a change in equipment or service model; or
• learning from audit, inspection or quality review which indicates revision is required.

The review will consider feedback from people using the service, staff and relevant professionals, and any changes made will be communicated to staff with additional training or competency reassessment where required.

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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.