Consultation on Single Handed CareMore and more local authorities are reviewing their manual handling policies and procedures allowing for a more flexible, person centred approach, which recognises that with the right training and modern specialist equipment, people requiring assistance transferring can be supported safely by one carer rather than two. A number of local authorities have used and championed a procedure named ‘single handed care’ and evidence has demonstrated that thousands of individuals are able to manage well with ‘single handed care’, and prefer the flexibility this offers. Evidence also suggests that current procedures are out of step with what is actually required by the person receiving care, as many people wish to participate in their own care and enjoy the one-to-one relationship that single handed care offers. As a result Tameside Council are looking to review manual handling policies and procedures locally. The proposals, in part, are based on neighbouring Derbyshire County Council’s Single Handed Team, created in August 2015 to address the perception that many care and support interventions which require manual handling can only be delivered safely by two carers. Derbyshire’s approach was felt to be particularly relevant, not just because of the change in practice, but because in Glossopdale the model is already being delivered in one of the borough’s Integrated Neighbourhood Teams. The ‘single handed care’ model emphasisis that the service user should be at the centre of any decision making process as evidence has recognised that making the transition from two carers to one, can for some, provoke a certain amount of apprehension. Therefore any review, and any potential new policy/procedure should be fully supported by the person receiving the care. This review is most likely to affect those people already supported at home by one of the boroughs six contracted homecare providers. All of the homecare providers have been fully involved in the review process to date and are supportive of it. We want to hear your views on our proposal to introduce a single handed care approach. Please tell us your views by completing the survey here. The consultation will close on 11 April 2019 |
