All workshops are designed to provide a practical guide to implementing safe practice in a range of handling situations across health and social care organisations.

Over the two days each workshop lead facilitator will identify the main points of good practice generated by the workshops. These will be included in the post conference website information available to delegates who attend the event.

These workshop sessions are intended to be global, offering an overview of particular areas of handling common to acute and community settings.

Workshops are designed to consider real situations and identify workable solutions through assessment, the use of equipment and good body biomechanics.

Facilitators will use case studies during the workshop but delegates are actively encouraged to bring along examples of handling situations to discuss and use as the basis for these interactive workshops.

The workshops will focus on developing practical skills to enhance knowledge and skills.

Workshop 1: Global Client Handling Workshop and Review

This workshop will focus on a range of handling techniques, which can be applied in a variety of settings and include consideration of how profiling beds can be used to maximum advantage, moving and transferring the person in their bed or on a trolley.

Lead Facilitator - Janet Brooks Stephenson, Moving & Handling Co-ordinator

Workshop 2: Person-centred Handling Assessment in Challenging Situations

This interactive workshop will encourage the participants to look beyond traditional approaches to moving and handling practice and consider a more person-centred approach, particularly when they are dealing with a range of challenging behaviours.

This session will consider people with short term illnesses and long term conditions and what factors to consider in a person-centred moving and handling risk assessment. It will raise awareness about the rights and choices set out by person-centred legislation such as the Human Rights Act (1998 implemented 2000), the Mental Capacity Act (2005 implemented 2007) the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2009) and the Personalisation Agenda. It will consider how to balance this against demands set out by Health and Safety legislation.

The participants will be introduced to handling strategies and practical techniques when using moving and handling equipment in acute and community settings.

Lead Facilitator - Sondra Butterworth, Moving and Handling Independent Consultant ProjectWorker, BILD (British Institute of Learning Disabilities

Workshop 3: Practical Handling of the Younger Person; Infant to Teenager

Within the newborn to teenager range, a number of factors will influence the handling needs of the child including personal care, moving to/from the floor, walking and transfers. This workshop will consider handling of young people up to the age of 18 years.

Lead Facilitator - Elizabeth Hallows, Independent Moving and Handling Adviser

Workshop 4: Sit to Stand and Walking

Sit to stand is probably the most common human activity but for some people a difficult process requiring assistance from equipment to hands on care. This workshop will consider the issues of sitting/standing a client from a range of surfaces to walking. Use of assistive technology, assessment of standing balance, standing hoists and aids (hi/low, riser/recliner chairs, air cushions etc).

Lead Facilitator - Laura Redman, Senior Physiotherapist, Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust

Please note that although the workshops offer delegates the opportunity to participate practically, they are not intended as training sessions.