The common-sense approach to moving and handling of disabled children and young people

Foreword

The Scottish Government wants to make Scotland the best place for children and young people to grow up. Our ambition is to give children and young people the best start in life and ensure they have the opportunities to thrive and develop into healthy, confident individuals, ready to succeed.

The well-being of all our children and young people is paramount. We recognise that some children and young people require additional support to help them be included and active participants in our society. Our disabled children and young people have so much potential; so much to contribute and so much to share with their families, their friends, their communities and Scottish society as a whole. Moving and handling support for some disabled children and young people is key to enabling their valuable contribution whilst supporting their well-being.

There are risks in everything we do, including moving and handling. But we must not be constrained by them. We need to adopt a risk management approach to moving and handling, so we do not limit opportunities for disabled children and young people to experience play and wider social activities at home, in education and in their community.

By putting this common-sense approach to moving and handling into practice we can all help to improve the well-being of disabled children and young people allowing them to enjoy their right to be active, healthy and confident contributors to our society.

AILEEN CAMPBELL
Minister for Children and Young People

'The Health and Safety Executive endorses the need for a proportionate and sensible approach to planning and organising activities for disabled children and young people. The guidance will help employers who provide such activities ensure that moving and handling risks to all involved are properly managed, and that mistaken health and safety concerns do not result in children having their experiences unnecessarily limited.'

Who is this guide for?

This guide is for workers and employers who work with children and young people with moving and handling needs.

What does it do?

This guide is intended to help make sure that the experiences of disabled children and young people are not limited by misinterpretation or misunderstanding of legislation and regulation ^[1]-[7] .

It offers a common-sense, practical approach that reflects current children's rights legislation ^[1] , ^[2] , ^[3] , ^[4] , manual handling ^[5] and health and safety regulations ^[6] , ^[7] , ^[12] .

Using this guidance will help ensure that you get it right for children and young people who have moving and handling needs, allowing them to enjoy their right to be active, healthy and confident contributors to our society – and that workers and employers have a clear understanding of their responsibilities.