Move and position individuals in accordance with their plan of care — Focus Awards Limited Occupational Qualification Health & Social Care Revision
This element focuses on the practical and theoretical knowledge required to safely move and position individuals according to their personalised care plans
Topic Synopsis
This element focuses on the practical and theoretical knowledge required to safely move and position individuals according to their personalised care plans, integrating understanding of anatomy, physiology, legislation, and risk management. It empowers care workers to minimise injury to themselves and the individual, promote dignity and independence, and adhere to agreed ways of working, including seeking advice when necessary.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Person-centred care: Tailoring support to an individual's preferences, needs, and values, ensuring they are active partners in their care planning and delivery.
- Safeguarding adults: Protecting individuals from abuse, neglect, and harm, following local policies and the Care Act 2014 principles of empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership, and accountability.
- Duty of care: A legal obligation to act in the best interest of individuals, avoiding harm and ensuring their safety, while balancing their right to take risks.
- Effective communication: Using verbal and non-verbal methods to build trust, respect confidentiality, and adapt to individuals with sensory loss or cognitive impairments.
- Health and safety legislation: Applying the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, COSHH, RIDDOR, and moving and handling regulations to maintain a safe care environment.
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- In written or observed assessments, always reference the individual's care plan as the primary source of instructions and justify your actions based on risk assessment outcomes.
- When discussing legislation, go beyond naming the acts—explain their practical implications in adult care, such as the requirement for training, risk assessments, and reporting procedures.
- For practical observations, demonstrate consistent communication and dignity-promoting techniques, such as explaining each step and offering choices where possible.
- Include examples of when to seek advice (e.g., changes in the individual's condition, equipment failure, unsafe practices) and identify who to involve (e.g., physiotherapist, manual handling advisor, manager).
- In observations, always verbalize your risk assessment and consent process to demonstrate your decision-making.
- When answering written questions, reference specific legislation such as the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- Demonstrate awareness of the holistic needs of the individual, including emotional and psychological support during positioning.
- Use the care plan as a live document and show how you check and follow it precisely, noting any updates.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to check the individual's up-to-date care plan and risk assessment before moving, leading to incorrect techniques or omission of specific precautions.
- Using moving and handling equipment without adequate training or disregarding manufacturer guidelines, which increases the risk of accidents or equipment failure.
- Not communicating sufficiently with the individual throughout the process, including neglecting to explain what is happening or ignoring their verbal and non-verbal feedback.
- Overlooking the need to inspect the environment and equipment before the move, such as not checking brake locks, sling sizes, or floor hazards.
- Assuming that moving and positioning tasks can be performed alone when the care plan or risk assessment specifies two-person assists or specialist input.
- Forgetting to check the individual's care plan before attempting to move them, leading to use of incorrect techniques.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for demonstrating accurate knowledge of the skeletal and muscular systems and how they relate to safe moving and positioning, including risks of incorrect techniques (e.g., pressure ulcers, musculoskeletal injury).
- Award credit for clearly outlining relevant legislation (e.g., Manual Handling Operations Regulations, Health and Safety at Work Act) and explaining how organisational policies and procedures implement these in practice.
- Award credit for conducting a thorough pre-move risk assessment that includes checks of the environment, equipment, and the individual's current condition, and for documenting findings in line with care plan requirements.
- Award credit for effectively communicating with the individual before and during the move, obtaining valid consent, and using agreed methods to promote their comfort and involvement.
- Award credit for correctly selecting and using appropriate moving and positioning aids (e.g., hoists, slide sheets) while adhering to organisational and manufacturers' instructions, and for reporting any defects or concerns promptly.
- Award credit for demonstrating correct use of moving and handling equipment in line with the manufacturer's instructions and the individual's care plan.
- Award credit for explaining the bones, muscles, and joints involved in a specific positioning task and how poor practice can cause injury.
- Award credit for identifying when a risk assessment indicates the need to involve a moving and handling specialist or occupational therapist.