NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Safer Moving and Handling (including people)

Introduction

The NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Safer Moving and Handling (including People) has been accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and is part of the National Qualifications Framework. Its Qualification Accreditation Number is 100/2076/7. This qualification is therefore fundable under the Learning and Skills Act 2000 under Sections 96 and 97. Its Learning Aim Code is 10020767.

The aim of the qualification is to provide candidates with a theoretical and practical foundation from which they can develop their handling skills and contribute significantly to reducing the risks from manual handling and using equipment. The qualification also aims to promote good practice, encouraging the use of equipment and promoting the independence of the client. The qualification also provides an overview of the Health and Safety legislation applicable to Manual Handling.

Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, employers are required to deal with manual handling risks on the basis of a clear hierarchy of measures:

• Avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Assess any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided.
• Reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable.

The requirement to reduce the risk of injury includes the provision of specific information, instruction, supervision and training on manual handling injury risks and prevention. Fundamentally, the Level 2 Certificate in Safer Moving and Handling (including People) covers this information, these training issues and closely follows the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992: Guidance on Regulations, as published by the Health and Safety Executive.

This qualification is intended to provide progression to, but not overlap with, NVQs/SVQs in related areas.

The NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Safer Moving and Handling (including People) is an ideal qualification for those who are in work and those seeking work in a diverse range of occupations where moving and handling may be required.

Guided learning hours (GLH): 15

NQF Level: 2

Assessment requirements: Internally assessed portfolio

The qualification consists of three mandatory units:

• Unit 01 The background to safer moving and handling
• Unit 02 Safer manual handling
• Unit 03 The safer moving of people

Unit Summaries

Unit 01: The background to safer moving and handling (QCA Unit No. F/101/3213

This unit examines the legal requirements for manual handling and why they are necessary. Candidates will consider Health and Safety legislation and how this affects the workplace. They will describe parts of the muscular and skeletal systems and consider how they are affected by manual handling. The impact of the nature of loads to be moved and the effects of the conditions in the workplace will be examined. Candidates will identify ways of reducing the risk of injury.

The unit has four elements:

• Element 1.1 Define the legal requirements and why these are necessary
• Element 1.2 Describe parts of the muscular and skeletal systems and how they are affected by manual handling
• Element 1.3 Identify postural and other situations and their effects
• Element 1.4 Identify ways of reducing the risk of injury

This unit is mandatory and accounts for 5 hours of the total recommended guided learning hours.

Unit 02: Safer manual handling (QCA Unit No. J/101/3214)

This unit requires candidates to prepare for and then undertake manual handling tasks. Candidates will perform a simple warm up with an understanding of the purposes and guidelines for this. They will perform a basic lift alone and with one other person demonstrating effective teamwork. Candidates will cover basic safety considerations and appropriate dress requirements.

The unit has two elements:

• Element 2.1 Prepare for safer manual handling
• Element 2.2 Demonstrate safer manual handling

This unit is mandatory and accounts for 3 hours of the total recommended guided learning hours.

Unit 03: The safer moving of people (QCA Unit No. L/101/3215)

In this unit candidates will demonstrate the safer moving of people. They will work to a care plan based on individual client needs and determine the method and equipment to be used. Candidates will be required to perform tasks alone and with others.

The unit has one element:

• Element 3.1 Demonstrate the safer moving of people

This unit is mandatory and accounts for 7 hours of the total recommended guided learning hours.

Accreditation and Certification End Dates

All qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework are subject to accreditation and certification end dates as set by QCA to ensure that all qualifications remain current and valid. Candidate registrations may not be accepted by awarding bodies after the accreditation end date for a specific qualification if an extension to the accreditation is not obtained from QCA (see below). However, certification is permitted until the certification end date in order to allow candidates to complete any programme of study.

Towards the end of the accreditation period for each qualification, NCFE will undertake a review of the qualification in collaboration with sector representatives in order to make any changes necessary to meet sector needs and reflect recent developments. Once this review process is completed NCFE will, in most cases, apply to QCA for an extension to the accreditation period.

Progression Opportunities

The NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Safer Moving and Handling (including People) aims to provide progression towards:

• NVQs at Level 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care
• other Level 2 and 3 qualifications in Health and Social Care

It may also prove beneficial to those studying qualifications in the following sectors:

• Sport and Recreation
• Uniformed Services
• Outdoor Industry