Moving and assisting is one of the most vital aspects of providing care — yet it is also one of the most common sources of injury and accidents, both for customers and for carers.
At By Your Side, we take this responsibility extremely seriously. Every member of our team receives comprehensive training to ensure they can support our customers safely, preserving dignity, mobility, and wellbeing.
Today, we’re looking at the key concerns around moving and assisting, the serious risks when it’s done incorrectly, and why home settings often pose greater risks than care homes.
Main Concerns in Moving and Assisting
Moving and assisting covers a wide range of activities — from helping someone reposition in bed, to supporting transfers from chairs, beds, toilets, and vehicles.
The main concerns when assisting someone to move include:
- Musculoskeletal injury to the carer or family member (e.g., back strain, sprains)
- Falls and fractures for the customer if not supported properly
- Skin damage (e.g., shearing, bruising) from poor handling techniques
- Psychological harm, such as loss of dignity, embarrassment, or anxiety
- Unsafe use of equipment such as hoists, slings, and slide sheets
- Environmental risks such as trip hazards, confined spaces, or inadequate furniture
Without proper training, the risk of causing harm — both to the individual receiving care and to the person providing it — is significantly increased.
The Risks When Moving and Assisting Goes Wrong
When moving and assisting is not carried out safely, the consequences can be serious, including:
- Customer falls leading to broken bones, head injuries, or hospital admissions
- Carer injuries, particularly back injuries, which are the leading cause of long-term sick leave in the care sector
- Emotional distress for the customer, who may lose confidence in mobility
- Loss of independence, increasing the need for higher levels of care
- Legal claims and safeguarding concerns for carers, families, and care providers
Incorrect techniques or poorly maintained equipment are major causes of avoidable accidents.
Home Care vs. Care Home Risks: What the Figures Show
Home care environments — where By Your Side operates — present unique challenges compared to care homes.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE):
- 76,000 work-related non-fatal injuries were reported in the health and social care sector in a year (HSE, 2022 data).
- Manual handling is the leading cause of injury among care workers, with 40% of all injuries relating to moving and handling incidents.
- Customers living at home are at a higher risk of falls compared to those living in care homes, due to factors such as unfamiliar carers, limited space, and non-specialist equipment.
- A study by the NHS indicates that over 800,000 hospital admissions a year are due to falls, with a large proportion happening in people’s homes, not care facilities.
- Falls at home are also more likely to result in serious fractures, particularly hip fractures among older adults — carrying a mortality rate of 20–30% within one year.
Care homes, by design, have safer environments: wider doorways, adapted bathrooms, reinforced flooring, ceiling hoists, and fully trained, on-site staff available at all times.
Homes, by contrast, are not typically built with mobility needs in mind, meaning hazards such as loose rugs, narrow hallways, and uneven surfaces significantly increase risks.
How By Your Side Reduces These Risks
At By Your Side, we believe that safe care starts with skilled carers and informed families.
We ensure:
- All our staff are fully trained in moving and assisting techniques
- Regular refresher training and spot-checks to maintain standards
- Full environmental risk assessments for every new customer
- Tailored moving and assisting plans, based on the customer’s individual needs
- Family training and guidance, ensuring everyone supporting a loved one feels confident and safe
Our commitment to excellence and safety ensures that we dramatically lower the risks associated with home care — protecting our customers’ dignity, health, and independence.
If you would like to learn more about Moving and Assisting training — either for yourself or to support a loved one — our team at By Your Side is here to help.
📞 Contact us today for friendly advice and support.