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SL37-Moving and Handling Policy

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Moving and Handling Policy

1. Introduction

At {{org_field_name}}, we are committed to providing high-quality, safe and dignified support to people who use our supported living service. A crucial part of this commitment is ensuring that all moving and handling activities are carried out safely for the people we support, our staff, and anyone else involved in delivering care and support.

This Moving and Handling Policy sets out our approach to assisting individuals with mobility needs in a way that promotes their dignity, independence, and comfort, while also minimising the risk of injury to our support workers. Our aim is to ensure that every movement is performed safely, correctly, and with the utmost respect for the person receiving care.

Moving and handling tasks are a routine part of supported living, whether it involves assisting someone to sit, stand, walk, transfer between a bed and a chair, or use mobility aids such as hoists and slide sheets. However, if these tasks are not carried out properly, they can lead to serious injuries—not just for our staff but also for the people we care for.

To protect people who use the service, staff and others, {{org_field_name}} will comply with all relevant legislation and guidance relating to moving and handling, including:

At {{org_field_name}}, we take these responsibilities seriously. By following best practices and ensuring ongoing staff training, we can create a safe, supportive environment where both our team and service users feel confident in the care being provided.

This policy applies to all employees, agency staff, and volunteers involved in moving and handling activities within our supported living service. We expect everyone to comply fully and to always seek guidance if unsure about the safest approach to a moving and handling task.

2. Scope of the Policy

At {{org_field_name}}, we believe that safe and effective moving and handling is everyone’s responsibility. This policy applies to all staff members involved in providing care and support, including:

We recognise that moving and handling is a core aspect of supported living, and it involves much more than simply helping someone move from one position to another. Our policy covers a wide range of activities, including:

Supporting Individuals with Mobility Difficulties

Many of the people we support experience limited mobility due to age, disability, illness, or injury. Our role is to enable them to move as safely and comfortably as possible while promoting their independence. This may include:

Assisting with Personal Care

Providing personal care often involves moving and handling tasks. We are committed to ensuring that these are carried out safely, professionally, and with respect for the individual’s privacy and dignity. This includes:

Moving Equipment and Supplies

In addition to handling individuals, our support team may need to move medical equipment, mobility aids, and other essential supplies. This includes:

Emergency Handling Situations

Despite our best efforts, emergencies can happen, and our staff must be prepared to respond quickly and safely. This policy outlines the procedures for:

3. Principles of Safe Moving and Handling

We believe that how we move and handle the people we care for is just as important as the care we provide. Safe moving and handling is not just about following a set of rules—it’s about treating every individual with dignity, respect, and compassion, ensuring their comfort and safety while also protecting our staff from injury. Our approach is built on the following core principles:

Promoting Dignity and Respect During Handling

We recognise that being moved by someone else can feel unsettling or even distressing for some of our service users, particularly those who are frail, have mobility challenges, or live with cognitive impairments such as dementia. That’s why we always prioritise dignity and respect in every moving and handling task we carry out.

We treat each individual as a person, not just a task—because how we assist them matters just as much as the outcome.

Consent, Mental Capacity and Best-Interest Decision-Making

Before any moving and handling activity, staff must seek and record the person’s consent where they have capacity to make the relevant decision. Staff must presume capacity unless there is a proper reason to doubt it. Where there are concerns that a person may lack capacity to consent to a particular transfer, repositioning technique, use of a hoist, sling, bedrail or other safety-related intervention, staff must follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the organisation’s Mental Capacity Policy. Any decision made on behalf of a person who lacks capacity must be decision-specific, clearly recorded, made in the person’s best interests, and use the least restrictive option. Staff must not rely on family consent in place of the person’s own consent where the person has capacity.

Encouraging Independence While Providing Necessary Support

One of our key goals in supported living is to enable people to do as much for themselves as possible while offering the support they need. We understand that maintaining independence is vital for a person’s self-esteem, confidence, and overall well-being.

Even small actions, such as holding onto a rail to support themselves while transferring from a chair to a bed, can help maintain independence and prevent a decline in mobility.

Avoiding Unnecessary Lifting Where Possible

We follow the principle of avoiding hazardous manual lifting wherever possible. Staff must first consider whether the task can be avoided, whether the person can move independently or with prompting, and whether equipment or environmental adjustments can reduce the risk. Where manual handling cannot be avoided, staff must follow the person’s moving and handling plan, use the safest method identified in the risk assessment, and reduce risk so far as is reasonably practicable. This approach protects both service users and our staff from unnecessary strain, discomfort, and potential injury.

By reducing manual lifting and using safer alternatives, we lower the risk of injury while making moving and handling a more comfortable experience for the people we support.

Using Approved Techniques and Equipment for Moving and Handling

We take great care to ensure that every movement is carried out correctly, using the right techniques and appropriate equipment. Safe moving and handling is not just about efficiency—it’s about ensuring that every movement protects the health and safety of our service users and staff.

Using the correct techniques and equipment is essential in preventing injuries, reducing discomfort, and making moving and handling a positive experience for everyone involved.

4. Risk Assessment and Planning

Safe and effective moving and handling starts with thorough risk assessment and careful planning. Every individual we support has unique needs, preferences, and physical abilities, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. Instead, we take the time to understand each person’s situation, assess potential risks, and create personalised moving and handling plans that prioritise safety, comfort, and independence.

Individual Risk Assessment for Each Service User

Every service user in our care receives a detailed, person-centred risk assessment to determine the safest way to assist them with movement and mobility. We understand that each person’s needs can change over time, whether due to illness, injury, surgery, or changes in mobility, so we continually assess and adapt our approach to ensure their safety.

By carrying out thorough risk assessments, we can prevent injuries, avoid unnecessary discomfort, and promote safe mobility for everyone we support.

Minimum Content of a Moving and Handling Assessment and Plan

Each person’s moving and handling assessment and support plan must clearly record:

Assessment of Environmental Hazards

While we can train our staff and use the best techniques, we also need to ensure that the service user’s supported living setting is as safe as possible. Many moving and handling risks come from hazards within the home, such as:

As part of our risk assessment process, we inspect and evaluate the service user’s supported living setting to identify and eliminate hazards.

By proactively addressing environmental risks, we reduce the likelihood of falls, injuries, and unsafe movements.

Reviewing and Updating Care Plans Regularly

We know that a person’s mobility can change over time, which is why we don’t just complete a risk assessment once and forget about it. Instead, we take a dynamic approach, ensuring that support plans are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect any changes in a service user’s health, mobility, or personal preferences.

By keeping our support plans up to date, we ensure that our moving and handling practices remain safe, appropriate, and tailored to the individual’s current needs.

A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Safe Moving and Handling

We believe that good care is never delivered in isolation. To ensure the safest and most effective moving and handling, we take a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach, working closely with:

5. Safe Handling Techniques

Staff must only use techniques for which they have been trained, assessed as competent, and which are consistent with the individual’s current moving and handling assessment, care and support plan, and the manufacturer’s instructions for any equipment used. Generic techniques described in this policy do not replace person-specific risk assessment, practical training or professional advice from occupational therapy or physiotherapy.
At {{org_field_name}}, we believe that every movement matters. How we assist a service user with standing, sitting, or repositioning directly impacts their comfort, safety, and dignity, as well as the well-being of our support team. That’s why we prioritise safe, effective, and respectful moving and handling techniques.

We don’t just follow guidelines—we put people first, ensuring that every transfer or movement is done with care, confidence, and skill. Below are the key techniques we use to provide safe and compassionate handling for both our service users and staff.

Correct Posture and Positioning

We know that proper posture and body mechanics are essential for preventing injury and strain, not only for our service users but also for our support team. That’s why we train and remind our staff to:

By following these simple but essential principles, we not only protect our own bodies but also ensure gentle, controlled, and safe movements for those in our care.

Use of Proper Manual Handling Aids and Equipment

We believe that the right tools make all the difference. That’s why we prioritise the correct use of manual handling aids to make transfers safer and more comfortable for everyone.

We use a range of equipment, including:

We train our staff thoroughly on how to use this equipment correctly. Every piece of equipment must be checked and maintained regularly to ensure it is safe and in good working order. If a piece of equipment feels unsafe, faulty, or inappropriate, we report and replace it immediately.

Our rule is simple: If an aid can make a transfer safer and more comfortable, we use it!

Techniques for Assisted Standing, Sitting, and Repositioning

Every service user is different—some need minimal support, while others require full assistance. Regardless of their needs, we ensure that every movement is safe, comfortable, and stress-free.

Assisting with Standing Up:

Helping Someone Sit Down:

Repositioning in Bed or Chair:

We always assess the individual’s mobility and ability before any movement—because the safest way to assist one person may not be suitable for another.

Avoiding Hazardous Lifts

At {{org_field_name}}, we have a strict no single-person lifting policy for individuals who cannot support themselves.

We avoid:

If two-person assistance or equipment is required, we use it—no exceptions.

Communication and Verbal Cues to Service Users

Moving and handling should never be something we do to a service user—it should be something we do with them. Clear communication is key to making the experience comfortable and reassuring.

We also listen. If a service user expresses pain, discomfort, or fear, we pause, reassess, and adjust our approach to make them feel more at ease.

6. Equipment Use and Maintenance

At {{org_field_name}}, we recognise that moving and handling may involve equipment that is owned by the person, supplied by the local authority, NHS, landlord or private provider, or owned by {{org_field_name}} for work purposes. We will clearly identify who owns each item of equipment and who is responsible for servicing, maintenance, repair and replacement. Regardless of ownership, staff must complete a visual safety check before use, only use equipment they are trained and competent to use, follow the person’s support plan and the manufacturer’s instructions, and remove from use or report any item that appears unsafe, defective or unsuitable.

Our responsibility is to assess the need for mobility aids, support service users in using them correctly, and liaise with the relevant professionals to ensure equipment is available and maintained by the appropriate agencies.

Pre-Use Safety Checks and Fault Reporting

Before using any hoist, sling, transfer aid, bed, wheelchair or other moving and handling equipment, staff must carry out a visual check to confirm that the item appears safe, clean, appropriate for the person, within any inspection date, and free from obvious defects. Slings must be checked for correct size, compatibility, labelling, safe working load, wear and tear, and cleanliness before each use. Any defective or unsuitable equipment must be taken out of use where possible, reported immediately in line with the provider’s maintenance and incident reporting procedures, and escalated without delay to the responsible owner, supplier or manager.

Referral for Mobility Equipment

If a service user requires specialist mobility aids or lifting equipment, we will:

For private clients, we can:

Supporting Safe Equipment Use

While we do not provide or maintain equipment, our role is to ensure that service users know how to use their mobility aids safely. This includes:

Reporting Defective or Unsafe Equipment

If we encounter faulty or unsafe mobility equipment, we take immediate action by:

We never attempt to repair or modify mobility equipment ourselves, as this falls under the responsibility of the supplier or relevant healthcare service.

Inspection, Examination and Maintenance Responsibilities

Where lifting equipment is used by staff at work, {{org_field_name}} will ensure that responsibilities for inspection, servicing, maintenance and thorough examination are clearly allocated and evidenced. The provider will not rely on assumptions that another organisation is managing this unless written confirmation and appropriate records are available. Staff must be able to identify whether equipment is safe to use and when it is due or overdue for examination, servicing or replacement.

7. Staff Training and Competency

Moving and handling is a crucial part of our work, and if not done correctly, it can lead to serious injuries for both service users and caregivers. That’s why we prioritise comprehensive training and ongoing competency assessments, ensuring that every member of our team feels confident, skilled, and fully equipped to carry out moving and handling tasks safely and professionally.

We don’t just meet the minimum training requirements—we go above and beyond to ensure our team has the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver exceptional care.

Mandatory Moving and Handling Training for All Care Staff

From day one, every member of our support team undergoes mandatory moving and handling training as part of their induction. We ensure that new staff understand not just the techniques, but also the importance of dignity, respect, and communication when assisting service users with mobility.

Our training covers:

Our goal is to ensure that every carer leaves their training fully prepared and confident in their ability to assist with mobility safely and respectfully.

Refresher Training at Least Annually

Moving and handling techniques evolve over time, and we want to ensure that our staff stay up to date with the latest best practices. That’s why we require annual refresher training for all support workers, even those who have years of experience.

We use these sessions to:

If a staff member feels they need additional support, we offer one-to-one coaching to help them feel more confident and competent. We never leave our staff to struggle alone—we support them every step of the way.

Role-Specific Competence, Supervision and Restriction of Practice

Staff must not undertake moving and handling tasks, use hoists, fit slings, use stand aids, or assist following a fall unless they have completed role-specific training and been assessed as competent. Competency must be reassessed after induction, after refresher training, after any incident or near miss, when new equipment is introduced, or where supervision identifies unsafe practice. Where competence is in doubt, the staff member must be restricted from undertaking the task until further training, supervision and reassessment have taken place.

Assessing Staff Competency Through Supervision and Observation

Training alone is not enough—we also need to see that staff are putting their skills into practice safely and effectively. That’s why we conduct regular competency assessments through:

If a team member is struggling with a particular technique, we don’t criticise—we train, support, and guide them until they feel confident.

Training on Safe Use of Mechanical Aids

Many of our service users rely on mobility aids and lifting equipment to move safely and comfortably. It’s essential that our staff know how to use this equipment properly to prevent injuries and ensure a smooth, dignified experience for the person receiving care.

Our mechanical aids training includes:

We also cover what to do if equipment fails or malfunctions, ensuring staff know how to respond quickly and safely in unexpected situations.

Agency, bank and temporary staff must not undertake moving and handling tasks until the provider has checked that they have completed appropriate training, understood the person’s current support plan and risk assessment, and know how to access immediate managerial support if the planned method cannot be followed.

8. Safeguarding, Refusal, Distress and Restrictive Practice

Moving and handling must never amount to rough handling, coercion, punishment or unsafe restraint. Staff must recognise that forcing a transfer, ignoring distress, using unsafe force, or proceeding without consent may amount to improper treatment or abuse. If a person refuses assistance, becomes distressed, or the planned transfer cannot be completed safely, staff must stop, reassure the person, reassess the situation, and seek senior or clinical advice as needed. Any concern that a person has been harmed, roughly handled, inappropriately restrained, or placed at risk through unsafe moving and handling must be reported immediately through safeguarding and incident reporting procedures.

9. Emergency Situations

Emergencies can happen at any time, no matter how carefully we plan and assess risks. As a supported living provider, we are often the first point of contact when a service user experiences a fall or other emergency, so it is crucial that we remain calm, confident, and well-prepared to handle such situations safely and professionally.

Our top priorities in an emergency are to:

We understand that how we respond in the first moments of an emergency can make all the difference—not just in preventing harm, but also in reassuring and supporting the service user during a stressful situation.

Handling Falls and Assisting Without Causing Harm

Falls are one of the most common emergencies in supported living, particularly for our elderly and mobility-impaired service users. We never rush to lift someone up immediately after a fall, as this could cause further injury. Instead, we follow a step-by-step approach to assess and assist safely:

If a service user falls, we will:

If a service user cannot get up on their own, we will:

We always document any falls in the service user’s records and inform their family, social worker, or GP as necessary.

Emergency Lifting Procedures

As a supported living provider, we do not perform manual lifting of fallen service users unless we are using appropriate equipment and techniques.

If a service user has fallen but is alert and uninjured, we may assist them in getting up gradually using a safe method such as:

We will never attempt to lift a person from the floor alone, as this poses a serious risk to both the service user and ourselves. Instead, we will:

If an emergency lifting aid (such as a Raizer chair or inflatable lifting cushion) is available, we ensure that:

When to Seek Emergency Medical Assistance

We are not medical professionals, but we are trained to recognise signs that indicate the need for emergency medical attention.

We will call 999 immediately if a service user:

If we are unsure but concerned, we will call NHS 111 for advice or seek guidance from the service user’s GP or next of kin.

We will always stay with the service user until help arrives and provide updates to their family as necessary.

Reporting and Recording Incidents and Near Misses

Every emergency situation must be properly documented, even if no injury occurred. This helps us to:

For any falls, medical emergencies, or other incidents, we will:

By maintaining accurate and transparent records, we ensure that service users receive the best possible care and that our team continuously improves safety standards.

10. Reporting and Record-Keeping

At {{org_field_name}}, we understand that accurate and detailed reporting is the backbone of safe, high-quality, and person-centred care. Keeping clear records allows us to track changes in a service user’s needs, identify risks early, and provide the best possible support.

We don’t just record information because it’s required—we do it because it keeps people safe. Every piece of documentation, whether it’s a risk assessment, an incident report, or a support plan update, helps us deliver the high standard of care we are committed to providing.

Beyond just meeting legal and regulatory obligations, good record-keeping protects our service users, our support team, and our business by ensuring that every action taken is transparent, accountable, and well-documented.

Documenting Risk Assessments and Care Plans

Each service user is unique, and their needs can change over time. This is why we ensure that risk assessments and support plans are always up to date and reflect the most current information about their mobility, health, and support needs.

Risk Assessments:

Care Plans:

We take the time to ensure that support plans are not just written documents—they are working tools that guide our team in providing safe, effective, and personalised care every day.

Recording Incidents, Injuries, or Equipment Failures

We know that even with the best precautions, incidents can still happen. Whether it’s a fall, a minor injury, or an issue with a mobility aid, how we respond and document the event can make a big difference in preventing further harm.

When We Record an Incident:

How We Document It:

Reporting Equipment Issues:

By keeping accurate records, we ensure that our service users receive the safest possible care and that our team has the information they need to prevent future risks.

Compliance with Regulation 17 – Good Governance

Under Regulation 17, we must have effective systems in place to:

To ensure compliance, we:

Good governance is about more than just meeting CQC requirements—it’s about making sure our service users receive the best possible care, backed by clear and accountable record-keeping.

The provider will operate governance systems to monitor compliance with this policy, including audits of moving and handling assessments and care plans, training and competency records, incident and near-miss trends, equipment checks, and action plans arising from audits, complaints, safeguarding concerns and investigations. Findings must be reviewed by management and used to improve practice.

Reporting Serious Injuries and Other Notifiable Incidents to CQC

Certain incidents must be notified to the Care Quality Commission without delay under Regulation 18 of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009. This sits alongside, but is separate from, the fundamental standards in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

We must notify CQC without delay if a service user experiences:

How We Handle CQC Notifications:

By ensuring that serious incidents are reported and investigated properly, we demonstrate our commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Duty of Candour

Where a moving and handling incident results in, or appears to result in, unintended or unexpected harm that meets the threshold for a notifiable safety incident, {{org_field_name}} will act in an open and transparent way in line with Regulation 20 Duty of Candour. This includes informing the person affected, or the relevant person acting lawfully on their behalf, providing a truthful account of what is known, giving an apology where appropriate, keeping a written record of the discussion and actions taken, and reviewing the incident to reduce the risk of recurrence.

11. Monitoring and Policy Review

Updating the Policy Annually or as Regulations Change

Policies are not set in stone. As regulations evolve, so do we. That’s why we review and update our Moving and Handling Policy at least once a year—or sooner if there are significant changes in CQC regulations, best practices, or industry guidance.

When We Update Our Policy:

Every update is clearly communicated to our support team, ensuring that everyone understands and follows the latest best practices.

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.

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