Moving and handling in care is one of the first things you learn as a new care worker, and one of the skills you will use on every single shift. Helping someone sit up in bed, stand from a chair, transfer to a wheelchair or walk to the bathroom all count as moving and handling, and doing it well protects both the person you support and your own back.
This guide explains, in plain English, what UK law expects, how to assess risk before every manoeuvre, which equipment you are likely to use and the mistakes to avoid. It is written for care assistants, support workers and senior carers in care homes, domiciliary care and supported living, and for managers who want a quick refresher for their team.
What moving and handling people really means
Moving and handling covers any activity where you support, lift, push, pull or move a person or a load. In adult social care the most common tasks are repositioning in bed, sit-to-stand transfers, bed-to-chair or chair-to-toilet transfers, assisting with walking and using a hoist.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is clear that poor practice can lead to back pain and musculoskeletal disorders for staff, accidents, and a loss of dignity for the person being moved. Good technique is therefore not just about health and safety; it is a core part of person-centred care.
The law in brief
You do not need to be a lawyer, but you will hear these names during induction and training:
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – employers must provide a safe workplace, and employees must take reasonable care of themselves and others.
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 – the key regulations, built on a simple hierarchy: avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable, assess the risk where it cannot be avoided, and reduce that risk as far as possible.
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – require suitable risk assessments and training.
- LOLER 1998 (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) – cover hoists and slings. Equipment used to lift people needs a thorough examination by a competent person, usually every six months.
- PUWER 1998 – work equipment must be suitable, maintained and used only by trained staff.
In practice: your employer provides training, equipment and a clear care plan; you follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly and report concerns. Providers in England should also follow CQC expectations on safe care and treatment.
Assessing risk with TILE
Before any manoeuvre, pause and run through TILE:
- Task – what exactly needs to happen? Does it involve bending, twisting or stretching?
- Individual – are you trained for this manoeuvre? Are you tired, or carrying an injury your team should know about?
- Load – how much can the person help today? Are they in pain, dizzy or more confused than usual? How many carers does the care plan specify?
- Environment – is the floor dry and clear, are the brakes on, is the bed at the right height and is the lighting good?
Some organisations use TILEO, adding Other factors such as equipment or clothing. A named person completes the formal risk assessment, but the quick dynamic check before each move is yours, every time.
Principles of safe practice
- Check the care plan for the agreed method, equipment and number of staff.
- Explain and gain consent. Tell the person what will happen and encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves. This protects their dignity and independence.
- Prepare the space and equipment: brakes on, bed height adjusted, trip hazards removed.
- Use good posture: stable base, knees slightly bent, back straight, load close to your body, no twisting.
- Communicate throughout. When working in pairs, agree who gives the instruction, for example “ready, steady, stand”.
- Stop if something feels wrong – pain, dizziness or faulty equipment – and ask for help.
Never use outdated techniques such as the underarm “drag lift”. It is widely recognised as unsafe and can injure the person’s shoulders as well as your back.
Equipment you are likely to use
- Mobile or ceiling hoists with the correct size and type of sling for each individual;
- Stand aids for people who can partly bear their own weight;
- Slide sheets for repositioning in bed;
- Transfer boards, transfer belts and walking frames.
Before each use, carry out a visual check: no fraying or damage on the sling, a readable label, a charged hoist battery and an in-date LOLER examination. If anything looks wrong, take it out of use and report it straight away.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Rushing because the shift is busy – hurried handling is the riskiest kind.
- Working alone when the care plan says two carers – never compromise; ask for support.
- Sharing slings between residents or using the wrong size.
- Ignoring change – if someone is weaker than usual, report it and ask for a review.
- Ignoring your own pain – report back discomfort early to your manager or GP rather than working through it.
If someone falls, do not try to lift them from the floor on your own. Follow your organisation’s post-fall procedure, check for injury, call for help and use the right equipment.
How Rafidin Education helps
Rafidin Education offers moving and handling training as part of our mandatory training for care in the UK, alongside the wider Health and Social Care range. You can strengthen your practical safety knowledge with the Working Safely course and our Health and Safety courses.
- CPD accredited – see our CPD accreditations;
- Bilingual (EN/RO) – ideal for international carers and mixed teams;
- Online, at your own pace – learn on your phone or laptop between shifts;
- Instant certificate on completion, ready for your training record;
- 1:1 career consultancy through our consultancy service;
- B2B training for teams – flexible group training for care homes and agencies.
Ready to move with confidence? Start your moving and handling training today and give every person you support a safer, more dignified experience. Managing a team? Get in touch and we will help you plan training for your staff.
Frequently asked questions
Is moving and handling training a legal requirement in care?
Employers have a legal duty to provide suitable training, and moving and handling is a core part of mandatory training in adult social care. It is usually completed at induction and refreshed regularly in line with your employer’s policy.
Can I lift someone on my own if they are light?
Weight alone is not the deciding factor. Always follow the person’s care plan and risk assessment, which set out the method, equipment and number of staff. Fully lifting a person manually should be avoided.
How often should hoists and slings be checked?
Carry out a visual check before every use. In addition, LOLER requires equipment used for lifting people to be thoroughly examined by a competent person, usually every six months. Report any damage immediately.
