Optimised People Handling Upskilling Module

Strengthen practice. Enhance decision making. Embed person-centred handling approaches. 

The Optimised People Handling Upskilling Module is a one-day, intensive programme designed to enhance the skills of qualified safer people handling trainers, enabling them to confidently apply and deliver optimised, person-centred handling approaches in practice. 

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Duration: 8 Hours

Max Capacity: 8 Learners Per Trainer

Session Format: Classroom Based Learning

Course Overview

The Optimised People Handling Upskilling Module equips qualified safer people handling trainers with the advanced practical skills and applied knowledge required to deliver optimised, person-centred handling approaches safely and effectively.

Optimised people handling ensures individuals receive the right level of support, at the right time, based on their abilities and assessed needs. It moves away from task-based or overly risk-averse models and instead focuses on enabling independence, promoting dignity and choice, and using the least restrictive interventions.

The course is designed to strengthen decision making and support trainers to work safely and effectively within their organisation's policies and procedures. On completion, learners are equipped to embed optimised handling approaches across their services and support wider workforce transformation.
What's Involved

This is a highly practical, classroom-based programme delivered by experienced moving and handling and sector specialists. The day is structured around three key stages, combining applied knowledge with hands-on skills development.

Delivered by expert moving and handling and sector specialists at Empeiria, this course focuses on strengthening practical capability, improving decision making, and supporting organisations to embed optimised care approaches across their services.

This module complements the Level 3 Safer People Handling Trainers qualification and supports progression into delivering optimised, single-handed care training across the workforce.

Please note: This is a non-regulated (unregulated) training programme. It is an upskilling module and should not be presented as a formal qualification. 

What's Involved

Learners must hold a valid Level 3 Safer People Handling Trainers qualification to attend this module. On completion, learners will be equipped to enhance their delivery of safer people handling training, embed optimised care approaches across their organisation and support policy and practice development.

Step 1 – Understanding Optimised Handling

Learners explore the principles and context of optimised people handling, including:
The benefits of optimised handling for individuals and staff
When optimised handling is appropriate and when alternative approaches are needed
How optimised handling aligns with current legislation and best practice guidance

Step 2 – Practical Application

Learners develop advanced practical skills across a range of techniques and equipment, including:
Pre-movement risk assessment (load, individual, task, environment, equipment and other factors)
Use of standing aids — mechanical and non-mechanical (e.g. Oxford Mini Lift, Return, Sara Stedy)
In-bed management systems — securing the top sheet, turning, moving across and up the bed, with and without equipment
Use of mechanical equipment — sling insertion with and without the in-bed system, hoisting transfers between bed and chair or wheelchair
Pre-use checks of mechanical equipment and slings

Step 3 – Embedding Practice

Learners apply their skills in complex scenarios and explore how to support implementation across their organisation:
Decision making in complex and varied handling scenarios
Safe, person-centred handling approaches in practice
Techniques to support organisational implementation and workforce development

Learning Outcomes

Describe the benefits of optimised people handling for both staff and individuals 

Describe situations where optimised people handling may no longer provide adequate support for an individual

Describe how optimised people handling aligns with relevant legislation and best practice guidance 

Conduct a pre-movement assessment check, including pre-use checks of mechanical equipment and slings 

Apply optimised people handling techniques when using mechanical and non-mechanical standing aids 

Demonstrate optimised handling using in-bed management systems, including turning, moving across the bed and moving up the bed 

Demonstrate use of mechanical equipment as part of optimised handling, including sling insertion and hoisting transfers between bed and chair or wheelchair 

What are the benefits of this course

Strengthens Workforce Capability and Compliance

Develops qualified in-house trainers who can deliver consistent moving and handling training, improving staff competence, confidence and compliance with current legislation and best practice.

Reduces Costs and Supports Long-Term Quality Improvement

Reduces reliance on external training providers while strengthening governance, quality assurance and inspection readiness, with a clear progression pathway to deliver the Level 2 Award in Proportionate People Handling internally.

Supports System-Wide Transformation and Service Sustainability

Enables the implementation of optimised care models at scale, supporting wider transformation programmes that promote independence, prevention and person-centred care.

Improves Outcomes and Reduces Demand on Services

Enhances care outcomes through safer, evidence-based decision making while helping to reduce pressure on health and social care services by supporting individuals to maintain independence for longer.

Develops Advanced Workforce Capability

Enhances the skills and confidence of existing trainers and staff, ensuring the consistent application of optimised handling approaches across the organisation.

Improves Safety, Quality and Compliance

Reduces risk through safer handling practices while strengthening governance, regulatory compliance and the overall quality of care delivery.

Who Is This Course For?

This module is designed for experienced safer people handling trainers who are looking to develop their practice and expand their capability in optimised, person-centred handling. It is an advanced programme, specifically aimed at those who already hold a formal trainer qualification.

This course is ideal for:

Qualified Safer People Handling Trainers
Moving and handling leads
Clinical educators
Workforce development leads
Advanced practitioners in health and social care

A Special Mention

"I wanted to say a huge thank you for the 2 day restraint training you provided. As a parent I found it so comforting and reassuring to be trained with my son’s new staff team. Hearing how much emphasis was placed on values really impressed me. As did the training which really looked at avoiding having to use restraint. The training was really able to be tailored to the individual needs of my son which was incredibly helpful for all his new staff who I believe came away with a really deep knowledge of his triggers and how to de-escalate him.

I would recommend it to any parent in the position of their young person moving into supported living. Not only was it a great way to start building relationships with his staff but it was incredibly reassuring to know that the care company are really invested in finding the right training which focuses on treating their service users as people and want staff with the right values working with him. I can’t thank you enough for letting me attend. I know that some trainers would find it difficult training parents along side staff because it could have the potential to alter the dynamics so I’m really delighted you allowed me the opportunity.

A huge thank you from a very reassured mum!"

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What our happy clients said

The trainer has been amazing, she understood we all had different learning styles and adapted everything she taught. She made me feel very at ease and welcome.
The trainer was brilliant, very knowledgeable and delivered the course in a very interactive manner.
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The trainer was excellent and one of the best trainers I have had in the industry. The four days flew by and I really enjoyed the course.

Thank you.
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It was helpful that we had the opportunity to expand on the components of the course beyond the book, maximising the additional time, was really helpful. The trainer gave us the opportunity to engage with the ideas and relate them back to our own clients and activities.

This was useful to the end of helping us see how Timian could be infused with our work.
Since attending the Timian Train the Trainer course we have already implemented some of the worksheets - the post-incident debriefing guidance is now on our HR portal.

I am looking forward to enhancing our PBS plans with IRS models and using the crisis cycle to inform updates and improvements.
The course was excellent! Cath was engaging and made the content interesting- she related it to real life live experiences. This is a worthwhile course, I learnt a lot and can now take it to my place of work and support other with me new knowledge.
I thoroughly enjoyed the training and learnt a lot. It was delivered in an interactive way with lots of exercises and opportunities for learning.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and am looking forward to be working within the Timian model of positive relationships.

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Empeiria Training is all about offering training that is unique and bespoke to your organisation and its needs. Backed by decades of experience, we offer a safe environment for face-to-face learning, with our specialism being working with people with learning disabilities.

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