Moving & Handling

Are detailed moving and handling risk assessments documented, specific to the home environment, and regularly reviewed?

What we look for: Check that risk assessments identify specific hazards in the service user's home (e.g., tight spaces for hoists, trip hazards, carpet types). Good looks like clear mitigation strategies for each identified risk. Fail if risk assessments are generic, out of date, or fail to address the actual home environment.

Evidence: Moving and handling risk assessments, environmental risk assessments, review logs.

Are moving and handling incidents, accidents, and near misses reported and learned from?

What we look for: Sample incident records involving falls, skin tears during transfers, or equipment failure. Good looks like immediate action taken, root cause analysis, and lessons shared with the team (e.g., via memos/meetings). Fail if incidents are recorded but no preventative action or care plan update occurs.

Evidence: Accident/incident logs, near miss forms, safeguarding referrals, team meeting minutes.

Are staff trained in practical moving and handling before supporting service users with mobility needs?

What we look for: Review the training matrix to verify that all staff providing manual handling have received face-to-face practical training. Good looks like annual practical updates covering hoists, slide sheets, and emergency procedures. Fail if staff are only doing e-learning for manual handling.

Evidence: Training matrix, practical moving and handling certificates, induction records.

Is there evidence that moving and handling equipment used in the home has been safely checked and serviced?

What we look for: Check for evidence that hoists, stand aids, and profiling beds have up-to-date servicing (LOLER every 6 months for lifting equipment). Good looks like copies of certificates on file and staff trained to do visual checks before each use. Fail if equipment is overdue for service and still being used.

Evidence: LOLER certificates, equipment service logs, daily visual check logs, OT letters.

Is there a comprehensive and up-to-date moving and handling assessment in place for the service user?

What we look for: Review a sample of care files to ensure a specific moving and handling assessment is completed before care commences. Good looks like detailed information on mobility capabilities, equipment needs, and number of carers required. Fail if assessments are missing, generic, or not updated following a change in mobility.

Evidence: Initial assessment records, OT assessments, manual handling assessment forms, review documents.

Is staff competence in moving and handling regularly assessed through in-person spot checks?

What we look for: Examine spot check records to confirm supervisors are observing manual handling practice in the community. Good looks like constructive feedback on technique, communication, and equipment use. Fail if spot checks are not occurring or do not specifically evaluate moving and handling competence.

Evidence: Spot check forms, field care supervisor observation notes, supervision records.

Are service users involved in decisions about their moving and handling, and is their dignity maintained?

What we look for: Review daily notes and care plans for evidence that the person's preferences (e.g., how they like to be positioned) are respected. Good looks like staff explaining what they are doing before moving the person and ensuring they are covered/comfortable. Fail if there are complaints about rough handling or ignoring preferences.

Evidence: Care plan signatures, feedback surveys, daily care notes, review meeting minutes.

Do care plans clearly instruct staff on exactly how to support the person's moving and handling needs?

What we look for: Sample care plans to ensure step-by-step instructions are provided for all transfers. Good looks like precise details (e.g., 'requires two staff, use Oxford Advance hoist with medium blue loop sling, loops: red shoulder, blue leg'). Fail if instructions are vague (e.g., 'needs help to transfer') leaving room for unsafe practice.

Evidence: Care plans, daily delivery plans, moving and handling profiles.

Does management have effective oversight of moving and handling practices, audits, and equipment safety across the service?

What we look for: Review internal quality audits and management meetings. Good looks like the Registered Manager tracking LOLER expiries, analyzing fall trends, and auditing care plan quality systematically. Fail if the service lacks a central overview of equipment safety or moving and handling compliance.

Evidence: Quality assurance audits, management reports, KPI dashboards, action plans.