Deborah Harrison: Moving and Handling training for professionals

Choose from a wide range of in-person and online courses to educate your care and therapy teams in the latest techniques for best practice in Moving and Handling. Our educational programmes are unsurpassed in terms of world-class expertise, evidence-based education. 

Deborah and her highly experienced team of trainers can tailor content and delivery to meet all your training needs. From local authority, NHS teams, Education to private sector carers. We have the educational capabilities to train healthcare professionals, so they have an enhanced level of skills, confidence and competency for greater safety and care efficiency in all care scenarios

About the programme leader

For more than two decades, Deborah has been shaping the future of moving and handling across health and social care. A registered nurse by background, as well as being an Honorary Fellow of Royal College Occupational Therapy she has worked across acute hospitals, community services, local authorities, education, academia and the independent care sector before becoming one of the country’s most influential educators, researchers and innovators in the field.

Her work has helped transform the way organisations assess, plan and deliver moving and handling, influencing practice at both local and national level. Deborah blends the occupational therapy expertise of her peers at the practice to offer a unique, holistic approach to manual handling training.

Example courses available:

RoSPA Qualifications 

Level 2 Award in Proportionate People Handling (RQF)

  • This is normally a one-day course that we can deliver to your care teams or therapists 
  • This is a mixture of theory and practical delivered face to face
  • We also have an option to extend this to be a two-day course and extend the practical element to include more complex case studies

Level 3 Award for Proportionate Safer People Handling Trainers (RQF)

  • This is normally a four-day course that we can deliver to your care teams or therapists 
  • This is a mixture of theory and practical face to face (Option of day-one being online)
  • This will equip your staff to train others either in a classroom or an informal setting
  • The course can be totally tailored to meet your organisational needs
  • It is suitable for those working in the NHS, local authorities, care teams, education and schools
  • For those carrying risk assessments and/or training in adults or children services with complex needs
  • We also have an option to extend the practical element dependent upon your needs

Other courses (Highfield accreditation pending)

Level 4 Risk assessment and train the trainer and in moving and handling

  • This is normally a four-day course that we can deliver to your care teams or therapists 
  • This is a mixture of theory and practical face to face (Option of Day one being on-line)
  • This will equip your staff to train others either in a classroom or an informal setting
  • The course can be tailored to meet your organisational and learners needs
  • It is suitable for those working in the NHS, local authorities, care teams, education and schools
  • For those carrying risk assessments and/or training in adults or children services with complex needs 
  • We also have an option to extend the practical element dependent upon your needs

Level 4 Risk assessment and Train the Trainer with Optimal-Handed Care using a Proportionate Care approach: Implementing the LGA High Impact Change Model

  • This is normally a three-day course that we can deliver to your care teams or therapists 
  • This is a mixture of theory and practical face to face.
  • This will equip your staff to train others either in a classroom or an informal setting
  • The course can be totally tailored to meet your organisational needs
  • Who is it suitable for those that work in the NHS, local authorities, care teams, education and schools who work with Adults or Children.
  • We also have an option to extend the practical element dependent upon your needs

Level 4 Risk assessment with Optimal-Handed Care using a Proportionate Care approach: Implementing the LGA High Impact Change Model

  • This is normally a three-day course that we can deliver to your care teams or therapists with a focus on optimal-handed care
  • This is a mixture of theory and practical face to face 
  • This will equip your staff to complete risk assessments, complete handling plans, using evidence- based tools, whilst supporting care givers and colleagues
  • The course can be totally tailored to meet your organisational needs
  • Who is it suitable for those that work in the NHS, local authorities, care teams, education and schools who work with Adults or Children.
  • We also have an option to extend the practical element dependent upon your needs

Level 4 Risk assessment for Moving and Handling 

  • This is a modular course two-to-four-day course that we can deliver to your assessors or therapists. 
  • Its great for those who do not want the Train the Trainer element.
  • This is a mixture of theory and practical face to face 
  • This will equip your staff to carryout risk assessments and create robust handling plans using evidence-based tools, whilst supporting care givers and colleagues
  • The course can be totally tailored to meet your organisational needs by using its modular approach
  • Who is it suitable for those that work in the NHS, local authorities, care teams, education and schools who work with Adults or Children.
  • We also have an option to extend the practical element dependent upon your needs

Level 4 Advanced and Complex and Unique Moving and Handling Situations: Adults or Paediatrics

  • A two-day course designed to further develop your skills, knowledge and competency in a range of complex moving and handling situations
  • This is fantastic for those teams that wish to be challenged and broaden their scope of practice
  • During the course delivery you will use a range of evidence-based tools and apply them to real life case studies. 
  • You will be set challenges and a range of graded complex situations
  • How to carry out accident investigation using ergonomic tools
  • Who is it suitable for those that work in the NHS, local authorities, care teams, education and schools who work with Adults or Children.
  • This course can be totally tailored to meet your organisational and individual learners needs 

Our unique value – FAQs

Why you and your team benefit from booking a course with us?

  • Be taught by a unique number of leading experts
  • Courses are research and evidence-based so align with the LGA model of Optimal Handed Care
  • Experiential learning and problem solving for the most complex situations
  • Helping you embed learning beyond the classroom 
  • Trainers have all worked with OHC projects implementation, training and embedding

What are the advantages of our training in relation to specific projects? 

  • Our clinicians manage diverse and complex systems, UK wide and regionally
  • Assistance with managing your projects whilst simultaneously:
    • reducing waiting lists
    • delivering high-quality assessment outcomes
    • training and supporting your own staff in their practice
    • improving overall competency.
  • Guidance for project pathways so hurdles are avoided whilst you are still in control 

How do our courses assist handlers implement OHC?

  • We give your staff the practical skills and confidence to be able to solve diverse and complex moving and handling situations
  • Give staff the reassurance that they are learning to use tools, processes and systems that are research and evidence based that we have tried and tested. 
  • Provide employees with an accredited award that is recognised by the industry as gold standard
  • For the times when there is unique situation your staff can “Ask TOTs” a system designed specifically to assist with development after training, this can be used to assist with evidence collection for CPD (?)

“The Foundations UK DFG Trusted Assessor training delivered by The Occupational Therapy Service has been informative, relaxed and easy to follow. I’ve enjoyed the open discussions. Previously, I could only shadow housing occupational therapists; this qualification will enable me to assess people independently in their homes. It’s genuinely worthwhile training.”

Hannah Horne, DFG Officer

“The course has been informative with practical learning and knowledge sharing from OT Emma that’s relevant to today’s accessible housing challenges. As an adaptations surveyor, it will empower me to make better decisions and interpret assessments more clearly. I think this training is essential for professionals wanting to do more within their role in adapted housing.”

Richard Johnson, Adaptation Surveyor

“The courses from The Occupational Therapy Service has been invaluable in helping me connect product, environment and individual need. As someone working for AKW, understanding how our equipment should be assessed and used is essential. This Foundations UK training helps us maximise available funding and deliver the right solutions for the people using them.”

Andy Woore, AKW

Bespoke tailor-made courses and events

If any of the above courses do not meet your needs we can combine a combination of the above courses so it is totally what you need. 

Examples: 

  • Reablement and Optimal-Handed Care 
  • Moving and Handling Risk Assessment and Accident investigation 
  • Plus Size Moving and Handling 
  • Paediatric Moving and Handling
  • Dementia and Moving and Handling 
  • One day refresher
  • Engagement days for a range of Moving and Handling topics

How to book

To organise a Moving and Handling training session or for further information, our expert friendly education team is ready to help you. They are standing by to listen to your needs and recommend accordingly.

Call us on 0333 444 0062 or click the button below to make an enquiry.

Contact us