Moving and Handling People Training

Moving and Handling Training – Practical Class Included

The Moving and Handling Training course is made to equip healthcare workers, care staff, and support workers with the right skills and knowledge to move and handle people safely. This helps to lower the risk of injury in care settings.

The course explains important UK safety laws, like the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. You will also learn practical ways to lift and move people safely.

You will be taught how to do a risk check using the E.L.I.T.E. method (which stands for Environment, Load, Individual, Task, Equipment) and learn how to protect your back and spine while working.

The training includes hands-on practice with equipment such as hoists, slings, and chairs, helping you feel confident when moving people. It also teaches which movements to avoid, how to work safely, and how to use the RIDDOR system (used for reporting accidents).

We use practical, up-to-date examples and hands-on tasks to support you throughout the training. This Patient Moving and Handling course is ideal for those working in care homes, hospitals, or community care. Once you successfully complete the course, you will receive a Moving and Handling Certificate

If the theory is not fully included, we run this as a half-day course, combined with hands-on Basic Life Support training to make a full day of training.

By the end of the course, you will feel more confident and ready to help keep people safe and comfortable and ensuring safe lifting at work and other places. This course is mandatory for all care workers and aligns with CQC and HSE goals on safety and care.

📚Related: Moving and Handling Refresher Training.

📌Also Available: Moving and Handling Trainer Course

🛍️Trainer Pack: Moving & Handling Comprehensive Trainer Pack.

📚Related: Moving and Handling eLearning Course

Important Note:

Your staff CANNOT learn these techniques via e-learning or distance learning training.

Course Information:

• Course Duration: 4-6 hours (Practical: 2-3 Hours)
• Course Level: Level 2
• Certificate: 2-year certificate
• Max Delegates: 12
• Practical: Yes
• Mode: Face-to-Face
• Location: Onsite and Offsite Training

Moving & Handling Course Outline:

1. Learning About Safety Laws

• Learn the rules for moving and handling people.
• Understand important laws like the Health and Safety at Work Act, PUWER, LOLER, and Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992).
• Know your legal duties to keep the workplace safe.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

• Learn what employers and employees must do to keep moving and handling safe.
• Understand the need for proper training and a safe workplace.
• Work together for everyone’s safety.

3. Basics of the Spine

• Learn about the spine and why it’s important when moving people.
• Understand the risks of using wrong techniques and common injuries.
• Know the importance of good posture to avoid injury.

4. Risk Assessment with E.L.I.T.E

• Learn how to assess risks for safe moving and handling.
• Use E.L.I.T.E principles: Environment, Load, Individual, Task, Equipment.
• Look at examples and case studies to understand these principles.

5. Reducing Risk and Removing Hazards

• Learn ways to reduce risks and remove hazards in moving and handling.
• Know about ergonomic factors like work surface height and clear paths.
• Identify hazards and take steps to fix them.

6. Understanding R.I.D.D.O.R

• Learn the R.I.D.D.O.R system: Repositioning, Individual, Disability, Duration, Outcome, Review.
• Understand the needs of the person being moved.
• Consider their disabilities, task duration, desired outcomes, and need for regular reviews.

7. Safe Use of Equipment

• Learn about equipment like hoists, slings, and chairs.
• Gain practical skills for using equipment safely.
• Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and check equipment before use.

8. Avoiding Dangerous Moves

• Identify and avoid dangerous moves during moving and handling.
• Learn safer alternative techniques.
• Minimise injury risks for both the person being moved and the caregiver.

9. Practical Skills Test

• Show your skills in moving and handling people through a practical test.
• Apply what you’ve learned in a controlled setting.

10. Chair Moves

• Learn techniques for moving a person from sitting to standing and from one chair to another.
• Practice these moves using safe methods.

12. Using Slings

• Learn to use slings for moving people in bed or in a wheelchair.
• Ensure comfort and safety for the person being moved.
• Understand the importance of good communication.

13. Hoist Transfers

• Gain hands-on experience with hoists for bed-to-chair transfers.
• Safely operate the hoist and position the sling.
• Focus on maintaining dignity and safety during transfers.

This moving and handling practical training helps keep staff and service users safe by teaching how to move people properly at work. It reduces the chance of injury for everyone.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the people moving and handling course, you will be able to:

• Explain how to promote dignity, privacy, and independence when helping people with moving and handling.
• Identify things that increase the risk of injury, like poor technique, hazards, and personal factors, and how to reduce these risks.
• Use proper body movements and safety rules to prevent injuries for both individuals and caregivers.
• Communicate clearly with people, colleagues, and others to ensure a team approach to moving and handling.
• Follow legal rules, company policies, and best practices for manual handling, using equipment safely.
• Reflect on your practice and ask for feedback to keep improving your skills and confidence in moving and handling.

In the UK, around 543,000 workers have health problems, like back pain, from lifting or moving things at work.

Moving or lifting things is the cause of 17% of all workplace injuries. In 2021/22, 18% of injuries at work were caused by lifting or carrying. Overall, 21% of all workplace injuries are linked to manual handling.

Course Benefits:

This patient handling training course empowers healthcare and care staff to safely assist individuals with mobility, reducing the risk of injury to both staff and patients.

Essential Benefits for Healthcare and Care Professionals:

• Reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injuries through proper lifting techniques.
• Promotes a safer environment for both staff and patients.
• Enhances confidence in using equipment such as hoists and slide sheets.
• Supports compliance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations and CQC.
• Improves patient dignity and comfort during transfers.
• Encourages thorough risk assessment and planning before manual handling tasks.
• Minimises workplace accidents and associated costs.
• Builds awareness of posture, biomechanics, and effective team coordination.
• Enables tailored approaches for individuals with complex mobility needs.
• Reinforces duty of care and professional accountability.
• Boosts the overall quality of care in hospitals, care homes, and domiciliary setting.

Who Is The Moving and Handling Training For?

Safer moving and handling training is very important for anyone who helps move or care for people. It keeps both the person being helped and the caregiver safe. This training is especially important for these groups:

• Caregivers and support workers
• Nurses and healthcare professionals
• Home care assistants
• People working in hospitals, care homes, or residential settings
• Personal assistants or carers
• Occupational therapists
• Social workers
• Anyone involved in the care and movement of people in healthcare settings

By completing this training, people in these roles can reduce the risk of injury and improve the care they provide.

Course Testimonials

Our safe lifting techniques training is rated ‘Excellent’ by thousands of people who have attended the training at any of our locations across the UK.

Some of the reviews we’ve received highlight the quality of our trainers and the exceptional measures we take to deliver top-notch services.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Fantastic day moving and handling, really enjoyed sharing experiences with the other trainers. Sarah the trainer was fab, very knowledgeable. Thank you ” – Emma Carter

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Courtney did a great job with moving and handling training. Good information, interactive session and great practical.” – Bimpong Ophelia

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“As a care company we had the lovely Kevin teaching us safe moving and handling with the use of hoists. The session was informational and Kevin came across confident and competent in his role. On behalf of the company we wish to thank you Kevin from the Buxton support workers!” – Jade Brunt

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Safer People Moving & Handling training course was excellent. The modules covered in this course was delivered very well by the trainer, who was warm and friendly, and delivered the training in an interactive and informative way. At the end of the training I was more knowledgeable and confident on the subject.” – Jifunza

Career Opportunities

Moving and handling training is essential for workplace safety and professional development, especially in health and social care. It protects the physical wellbeing of staff, ensures the safety of service users, and supports compliance with legal requirements.

It’s vital for new staff establishing safe habits and for experienced staff maintaining competence and progressing in their careers.

Why It Matters for New Staff

• Prevent Early Injuries: New employees are at higher risk of back, neck, and musculoskeletal injuries without proper technique.
• Build Safe Habits from Day One: Training teaches correct body mechanics—such as bending the knees, not the back—before unsafe habits form.
• Develop Risk Assessment Skills: Staff learn to assess tasks, identify hazards, and choose the right equipment before moving or handling.
• Boost Confidence & Compliance: New starters understand their legal responsibilities (e.g., MHOR 1992) and feel prepared for the physical demands of the role.

Why It Matters for Experienced Staff & Career Growth

• Maintain Competence & Compliance: Regular refresher training (typically every 1–2 years) reinforces safe practice and corrects bad habits.
• Stay Updated with New Equipment: Staff learn to use modern hoists, slide sheets, and transfer aids that improve safety and efficiency.
• Advance into Specialist Roles: Experienced staff can progress into roles such as Moving and Handling Champions or Trainers, supporting colleagues and leading assessments.
• Handle Complex Care Safely: Advanced training equips staff to manage non‑routine or high‑risk situations, including bariatric care.
• Boost Career: Accredited manual handling qualification training strengthens a CV and demonstrates commitment to high‑quality, safe care.

Where do you offer practical moving and handling training?

Our training locations are spread across the UK. However, we regularly have basic life support training with moving and handling training in Stoke on Trent.

You can check available time, dates and price for courses in Stoke on Trent, ST4 3FF here. For other venues where we conduct practical trainings, please see the locations below:

• London N17PFU
• York YO30 4WQ
• Swindon SN6 8TZ
• Epsom KT18 5AX
• Warrington WA3 6ZH

This also means, we provide trainings for organisations who are interested in having all or some of their staffed trained at their facility. In addition, this allows us provide bespoke moving and transfer training using equipment within the facility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does moving and handling training include?

Moving and handling training teaches people how to lift, move, and handle things and people safely to avoid getting hurt. It includes learning the right techniques, how to use equipment, how to check for risks, and why it’s important to use good posture and body movements. The training focusing on the “Four Ps” (Plan, Prepare, Posture, Proceed).

2. What skills will I gain in the people manual handling course?

You’ll gain practical skills in safe lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, and carrying, along with correct posture and body‑mechanics techniques. You’ll learn how to use handling aids such as slide sheets and hoists, work effectively as a team, assess risks, and apply strategies that reduce strain and prevent musculoskeletal injuries in everyday care tasks

3. When should a moving and handling certificate be renewed?

A moving and handling certificate is usually refreshed every 12 months to keep staff competent, safe, and compliant. Annual updates reinforce good practice, correct bad habits, and ensure everyone stays confident using equipment and safe techniques.

Though some organisations extend refreshers to two years, we recommend yearly updates as best practice to maintain high standards of safety and care.

4. Is moving and handling training essential for care providers?

Yes. Moving and handling training is essential for care providers because it protects staff from injury, keeps service users safe, and supports compliance with regulations such as MHOR 1992. Regular training ensures staff use equipment correctly, follow safe techniques, and maintain high standards of care across the service.

5. What moving and handling skills are important for care providers?

The training teaches practical skills for your work, including:

• Safe lifting and carrying: Learn how to lift objects the right way to prevent injury.
• Transferring people: Learn safe methods to move people between beds, chairs, wheelchairs, and other places.
• Positioning and supporting people: Make sure the person is in the correct position during daily activities like bathing, dressing, and toileting.
• Using assistive equipment: Understand how to use tools like hoists, slings, and slide sheets safely.
• Ergonomic principles: Set up your workspace and tasks to reduce strain and keep things safe.

6. Do you offer onsite manual handling training for care homes?

Yes, we do. Our trainers can deliver onsite manual handling training directly at your care home, tailored to your environment, equipment, and the specific needs of your residents. This ensures staff learn practical, safe techniques that reflect real‑world scenarios in your setting.

7. What is the penalty if I don’t renew my manual handling certificate?

There isn’t a fixed legal “penalty” for an expired manual handling certificate, but the consequences can be serious. If an incident occurs and staff are not up to date with training, employers may face CQC compliance issues, liability claims, insurance complications, and potential HSE enforcement action for failing to provide adequate training under MHOR 1992.

8. How often should carers be trained in practical manual handling?

Carers should have regular manual handling training. How often this happens depends on things like the carer’s experience, the care setting, and any changes in rules or best practices.

Usually, refresher training is recommended once a year or whenever there are big changes in the care setting or equipment. Regular training helps carers keep their skills up to date and learn the safest ways to work.

9. What are the benefits of onsite moving and handling training for my staff?

Onsite moving and handling training gives staff hands‑on practice in their own environment, using the equipment and scenarios they work with every day. It improves safety, reduces injury risk, strengthens compliance, and ensures techniques are tailored to your residents’ needs.

It also boosts staff confidence and supports a consistent, team‑wide approach to safe handling.

10. What are the essential manual handling regulations I must abide by?

The key regulations you must follow are the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR), which require employers to avoid hazardous handling, assess risks, and provide proper training.

You must also comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which set out wider duties to protect staff through safe systems of work

11. What is the benefit of moving and positioning training?

The benefit of moving and positioning training is that it helps healthcare workers learn how to safely and effectively assist patients with changing their position, moving, or being transferred.

This training helps prevent injuries, keeps patients comfortable, respects their dignity, and improves overall care. It also lowers the risk of healthcare workers getting injured while doing their jobs.

12. Is practical manual handling training a mandatory and legal requirement?

Yes. Practical manual handling training is a legal requirement under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR), which state that employers must provide adequate training to reduce the risk of injury.

In care settings, regulators such as the CQC expect staff to be trained and competent in safe handling techniques. Practical, hands‑on training is essential to meet these duties and protect both staff and service users.

13. What are the manual handling techniques covered in this course?

This course covers essential manual handling techniques, including safe lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, and carrying methods.

It also includes posture and body‑mechanics training, the use of handling aids such as slide sheets and hoists, team‑handling techniques, risk assessment skills, and practical strategies to reduce strain and prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Our trainers tailor the session to your environment, equipment, and specific staff needs.

14. Is there any difference between moving and handling and manual handling training?

In most care settings, moving and handling and manual handling training refer to the same core principles of safe people‑handling and load‑handling.

The difference is mainly in emphasis: manual handling can include objects and loads, while moving and handling focuses specifically on safely assisting people. In practice, care‑sector courses usually cover both.

15. Is there any difference between moving and handling and manual handling training?

In most care settings, moving and handling and manual handling training refer to the same core principles of safe people‑handling and load‑handling.

The difference is mainly in emphasis: manual handling can include objects and loads, while moving and handling focuses specifically on safely assisting people. In practice, care‑sector courses usually cover both.

16. Why book this course with Caring for Care?

Caring for Care trains over 30,000 nurses and carers every year and holds more than 11,500 five‑star reviews. Our courses are built around compliance, practical skills, and a work‑ready approach, with content tailored to your environment and equipment.

With expert trainers and hands‑on sessions, we ensure your staff gain the confidence and competence needed to deliver safe, high‑quality care. Our training is trusted by care providers nationwide.

17. What is the difference between moving and handling training, moving and handling competency assessor training, and the train‑the‑trainer course?

Moving and handling training teaches staff the core skills and safe techniques needed to carry out everyday handling tasks.

Moving and handling competency assessor training prepares senior staff to assess colleagues’ handling skills, identify unsafe practice, and support ongoing competence within the team. Best for team lead and managers.

Train‑the‑trainer goes a step further, qualifying staff to teach moving and handling training themselves, deliver sessions internally, and maintain training standards across the organisation. Best for experience staff taking leadership roles.

18. What courses can be paired with this?

This course pairs well with other core compliance sessions such as Basic Life Support, Falls Prevention, Fire Safety, Infection Prevention and Control, and Health and Safety Awareness.

Many providers also combine it with Medication Training or Safeguarding to create an efficient, full‑day programme that keeps staff compliant, confident, and work‑ready. At Caring for Care, you can save over 40% when you book two half‑day courses on the same day at the same venue.