FAQs for Case Managers - Moving & Handling
What is involved in a Moving & Handling Assessment and how long does it take?
Initial moving & handling assessments can take between 2 to 3 hours. This is to meet the client and their carers, assess the environment, and current tasks being carried out. The assessment is a combination of observation, activity analysis and clinical interview.
What happens after the assessment?
Following the visit the OT completes a comprehensive moving & handling assessment report, risk assessment and handling management plan. Recommendations for equipment and training are made.
Following an assessment, where do you source your equipment?
The OT Practice have a large network of supplies to offer a range of equipment solutions; we recognise that everyone’s handling needs are different and frequently arrange for rep visits to trial equipment rather than recommend ‘off the shelf’ products.
What training do provide for support workers and family members?
Bespoke training sessions for up to 6 people at a time can be provided in the client’s home. The sessions are structured around the individual needs of the client and their family or carer team. Handouts are provided to support the session and we will use the moving & handling plan as the base for teaching so that it becomes a familiar and working document for the family and carers.
Who else do you provide training for?
In addition to providing training for carers of clients, The OT Practice can provide theory and practical training for care service providers, schools / colleges, nursing / residential homes and businesses at a location of their preference. The OT Practice will provide all course materials and handouts.
What is covered in a training session?
This list is not exhaustive and can be tailored to meet your specific needs and requirements:
- Relevant legislation, employer and employee responsibilities
- Spinal function; the importance of good back care including static postures and other risk factors of back pain
- The principles of normal human movement
- Controversial techniques
- Risk assessment documentations
- An awareness of workplace hazards and risks
- Principles of safe moving & handling using an ergonomic approach
- Practical demonstrations of safer manual handling techniques using the principles of biomechanics.
- The use of problem solving scenarios
Training sessions can vary in length from a few hours for a private client to 1 or 2 days initial or refresher training for staff groups; course content will be adapted accordingly.
Do you provide certificates?
Yes, certificates of competence will be provided at the end of the training session.
Do you supply your own handling aids/hoists for the training?
We are happy use equipment that is already in place, provided it is fit for purpose and in safe working order. If we need to bring our own, this can be arranged at an additional hire charge.
I have heard of ‘train the trainer’ what does this mean?
These are specific training courses for clinicians who are involved in the training of others. There are a number of reputable organisations providing people handling training in the UK; these are usually 4-5 days in duration and provide theory and practical knowledge, skills and course materials to design, develop and deliver training to groups of staff including carers, nursing/residential homes and home care agencies. Courses are accredited with the CPD Certification Service. Refresher training is recommended every 2 years.
How do you source your moving & handling experts?
All our OTs are interviewed prior to joining us. We ask for a minimum of 5 years post qualifying experience and must be registered with the HCPC and members of The College of Occupational Therapists. Many of our Moving & Handling advisors are also members of the National Back Exchange. We obtain copies of all relevant documentation such as DBS, HCPC and professional body registration certificates. Through this process we select the OTs that are experts in their field and have the knowledge, skills and experience required to work to a high standard expected in private practice.
Please can you explain the difference in terminology between Manual Handling and Moving & handling?
There has been a shift away from the rather outdated term Manual Handling as this suggests physical labour involving bodily force and effort; going back 15 years, many of the recommended techniques involved ‘lifting’ such as the Australian lift, Orthodox lift and Drag lift. These moves are deemed to be higher risk to both the client and carer, supported by evidence. Good practice indicates that these moves are only to be used on life threatening/emergency situations. Moving & handling is a better description of our focus on how people move or are assisted to move.
I’ve heard there must always be two people to use a hoist?
There are many publications providing advice on the supply and use of hoisting equipment however there is no authoritative guidance on the number of people required to safely operate such equipment. There appears to be a misunderstanding or misinterpretation National Minimum Standards Regulations for Domiciliary Care 2003, which states: Two people fully trained in current safe handling techniques and the equipment to be used are always involved in the provision of care when the need is identified from the manual handling risk assessment. Note the wording ‘when the need is identified from the manual handling risk assessment.’ The Standards quite clearly require that an individual risk assessment be carried out to determine the appropriate level of service provision, not a blanket policy applied regardless of the circumstances.
