Care Home Moving & Handling Compliance Checklist (2026)

The State of Compliance We See

In audits across care homes, the same gaps appear again and again: expired training records, generic handling plans, hoists that were serviced but never reviewed for suitability, and paperwork that names nobody. This checklist covers what a compliant home can show on demand.

The Checklist

1. Policy

• Current M&H policy, dated and signed by the registered manager
• Policy references MHOR 1992, LOLER 1998 where lifting equipment is used, and the Care Act 2014

2. Staff Training

• Every carer: induction M&H training before first shift
• Refresher at least annually, or sooner after incidents or technique changes
• Records show content, date, trainer, and competence sign-off

3. Handling Plans

• Every resident with a handling need has a current, person-centred plan
• Plans name the specific equipment, technique, and number of carers per task
• Plans are dated, reviewed, and accessible to staff on shift

4. Equipment

• LOLER thorough examination every 6 months for lifting equipment
• Manufacturer servicing schedules met
• Slings match residents (size, type, and laundered per policy)

5. Risk Assessment

• Generic risk assessments plus individual assessments
• Pregnant workers and young persons assessed specifically
• Incidents near-miss logged and fed back into plans

6. Audit Trail

• Last external M&H audit date and actions closed
• Manager spot-checks recorded

What Fails Audits Most

Three things: training lapses on long-staff, “one plan fits all” documentation, and slings that do not match the person. All three are cheap to fix and expensive to ignore – they are exactly what inspectors and personal-injury lawyers look for first.

Getting an External Audit

An external physiotherapy-led audit benchmarks your home against current standards, gives your manager a prioritised action list, and provides evidence of proactive compliance for CQC conversations. Thrive Better Living delivers audit and policy review for care homes – see the Care Home Audit service page.

FAQs

How often is M&H refresher training legally required?

The law sets no fixed period, but MHOR guidance and sector consensus support annual refreshers; insurers and CQC expect to see it.

Is LOLER 6-monthly inspection the same as servicing?

No. LOLER thorough examination is a legal inspection by a competent person; servicing is maintenance. Both are needed.

Do night staff need the same training as day staff?

Yes – the same tasks occur at night, often with fewer staff, making competence more critical.