Helping you care at home: Expert moving and handling support

Single-handed care approach

Single-handed care is a modern way of providing personal care. One carer supports the person safely, using the right equipment and techniques, rather than 2 carers being routinely required.

Being supported by just one trusted carer instead of 2 can make care feel much more personal and respectful.

Why single-handed care matters to me

Single-handed care means:

• dignity: fewer people involved in intimate tasks helps me feel less exposed and more comfortable
• privacy: I feel more at ease when only one person helps with things like washing, dressing or using the toilet
• consistency: seeing the same carer more regularly helps me build trust and routine, which makes me feel safer
• independence: using equipment that helps me move more easily lets me do more for myself, which boosts my confidence
• choice and control: with just one carer, I feel like I have more say in how and when care happens

Single-handed care is not about cutting corners - it is about doing things in a way that feels more personal, more respectful and still completely safe.

From the perspective of an informal or family carer

As a family member caring for someone, single-handed care helps me provide better, safer support, especially when I am doing it alone.

Single-handed care:

• makes everyday care easier - with the right equipment and guidance, I can safely move or support my loved one without hurting myself or them
• gives me confidence - having a proper moving and handling plan and knowing how to use equipment helps me feel in control
• supports my loved one’s dignity - I can keep their care private and respectful, especially for personal tasks they prefer not to share with multiple people
• reduces dependency - it encourages them to do more for themselves when they can, which helps keep their independence
• saves money (for self-funders) - we don’t have to pay for 2 carers if one can manage safely with the right tools

Overall, it is about making caring sustainable and safe for both of us.

From the perspective of a care agency

Single-handed care is a modern, person-centred approach that improves care quality while helping agencies manage increasing demand.

It makes sense for us because of:

• quality and continuity - one carer builds better relationships with people, leading to more personalised care and better outcomes
• staffing efficiency - in a time of workforce shortages, using one carer, where safe, means we can support more people with the same resources
• cost-effective packages - it allows us to offer care plans that are more affordable, which is important for self-funders or those with direct payments
• positive reputation - adopting single handed care shows we are using up-to-date techniques and putting people’s dignity and independence first
• faster care setup - we can start new packages more quickly without needing to coordinate double-up carers, especially for urgent situations

Single-handed care is not suitable in every case. But where it is, it is a smart, ethical and forward-thinking way to deliver care.

Last updated 13 August 2025