EDGE Services Newsletter March 2018

EDGE services
Spring 2018
NEWS
LETTER
How Do You Measure Quality?
As many of you will already know,
EDGE Services’ moving and
handling ‘Key Trainer’ courses
have been endorsed by the Royal
College of Occupational Therapists
(RCOT) for eight years. Ours were
the first such courses to attain this
endorsement; an achievement of
which we remain extremely proud. In
addition, these training courses have,
since 2012, also been recognised
by the Continuing Professional
Development Service (CPD); a body
who underscores the vocational and
skills-based or practical content of
our training events.
As of January 2018, the EDGE
team are delighted to announce that
our People and Children Handling
Key Trainer courses have also
achieved accreditation by RoSPA
Qualifications. Our four-day People
Handling and Risk Assessment Key
Trainer Certificate and its Children
Training Courses
across the UK:
• People Handling
• Children Handling
• Inanimate Object
Handling
• Understanding and
Managing Behaviour
that Challenges
• Health, Safety
and General Risk
Assessment
Level 4 Awards
Handling companion have been
accredited at Level 4. This is hugely
valuable to attending delegates for
their own professional development
and, where relevant, for inclusion in
their professional portfolios.
If you, or your colleagues, have
already attended one of our four-day
courses, you may be interested to
know that our invaluable two-day
moving and handling Refresher/
Update courses have been
accredited at Advanced Level 4
so when you do attend your twoyearly
Key Trainer Refresher/Update
you can be assured that you are
attending one of the most highly
rated moving and handling update
events currently available in the UK.
For a company like EDGE, who
have always prided itself on the
quality of its whole service, from
your initial contact with our excellent
administrative team to the content
and delivery of the course itself,
not to mention the after-sales
service, it is particularly rewarding
to have our courses accredited by
an organisation with the immediate
name-recognition of RoSPA
www.edgeservices.co.uk
01904 677853
Qualifications. However, as with all
such accreditation, our clients will be
interested to know exactly what this
represents and who, so to speak,
accredits the accreditors.
The Office of Qualification and
Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
is a non-ministerial government
department responsible for the
regulation of qualifications, exams
and tests in England and, until
recently, vocational qualifications
in Northern Ireland. Ofqual is often
described in the media as the exam
‘watchdog.’ It is obviously important
that qualifications are measured
against a benchmark, if not the
system might well descend into a
free-for-all and, if they cannot be
compared, qualifications would
effectively become meaningless.
In the case of EDGE Services,
our systems, our Key Trainer
courses content and the Trainers
who deliver these events have all
been measured against Ofqual’s
Regulated Qualifications Framework
(RQF), which gives insight into the
depth, significance and level of
achievement for the company.
So, in short, when you come to
book your next moving and handling
training experience with EDGE
Services, you can be assured, even
more than before, that you will be
attending a course the content of
which has been rigorously examined
and approved by the most reputable
of accrediting bodies.

2 Spring 2018 Newsletter
Editor’s column
Greetings!
I’d like to start this edition of our newsletter with an
apology. We aim, as you know, to bring you relevant
news – some heavy, some light – from the health
and social care sector. This time around, however,
some of you may think we’ve gone a little selfindulgently
EDGE-centric!
Talking about yourself is not always attractive but
excuse us if, for once, we give a short blast on our
own trumpet. We celebrate, this year, the twentieth
anniversary of our fi rst day’s training: a notoriously
wet Wednesday in Huddersfi eld, November 1998,
and we mark this anniversary with two exciting
developments: the accreditation of our key courses
by RoSPA Qualifi cations; and the arrival of our
Resource Library/E-Learning service to all our Key
Trainer Manual Handling delegates.
We hope you will agree that this news is worth
sharing with you and a testament to our ongoing
commitment to provide the very best training service
possible.
Very best wishes,
Kate Lovett
20 Years of EDGE
November 2018 marks the 20th anniversary
of EDGE Services.
EDGE was started by Kate Lovett in 1998. She set
up as a sole trader to provide training that so many
organisations were struggling to fi nd. Demand was such
that Kate soon found herself travelling further and further
afi eld. One by one, additional trainers joined the team;
and, before long, EDGE had established itself at the
forefront of health and safety training across the UK.
Twenty years on and EDGE continues to go from strength
to strength.
The quality of our training and of our team’s
accomplished work continues to receive exceptional feedback
from our clients and from professional bodies within
the healthcare and social care industries. Such feedback
and professional recognition has been fundamental in
establishing our reputation as experts in our fi eld and,
because of this, we are extremely proud to celebrate long
term business relationships with so many of our clients.
EDGE Services are continually investing in our talented
staff. Our training programmes grow and develop in
reaction to new advancements and recommended best
practice within the industry and our experienced team are
always looking for new ways in which we can enhance
the training and services we provide.
EDGE embraces the challenges facing the health care,
social care and special educational needs sectors in
terms of training, providing the best solutions available
and independently applying these to meet each of our
client’s individual learning needs.
As we look back on our history of accomplishments, we
would like to say a huge thank you to all our clients and
staff. EDGE Services would not be here without your
support and commitment. You are all truly valued – here’s
to another 20 years of excellence working with you!
This is the last hard, paper copy of the EDGE
newsletter.
To ensure you receive future editions as an email
attachment, please visit www.edgeservices.co.uk and
click on the NEWS tab to subscribe.
EDGE services

A landmark trial for Huntington’s disease has announced
positive results, suggesting that an experimental drug
could become the first to slow the progression of the
devastating genetic illness.
The results have been hailed as “enormously significant”
because it is the first time any drug has been shown
to suppress the effects of the Huntington’s mutation
that causes irreversible damage to the brain. Current
treatments only help with symptoms, rather than slowing
the disease’s progression.
Prof Sarah Tabrizi, director of University College London’s
Huntington’s Disease Centre who led the phase 1 trial,
said the results were “beyond what I’d ever hoped ... The
results of this trial are of ground-breaking importance for
Huntington’s disease patients and families,” she said.
The results have also caused ripples of excitement
across the scientific world because the drug, which is a
synthetic strand of DNA, could potentially be adapted to
target other currently incurable brain disorders such as
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The Swiss pharmaceutical
giant Roche has paid a $45m licence fee to take the drug
forward to clinical use.
Huntington’s is a degenerative disease caused by a
single gene defect that is passed down through families.
The first symptoms, which typically appear in middle
age, include mood swings, anger and depression. Later
patients develop uncontrolled jerky movements, dementia
and ultimately paralysis. Some people die within a
decade of diagnosis.
“Most of our patients know what’s in their future,” said
Ed Wild, a UCL scientist and consultant neurologist at
the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in
London, who administered the drug in the trial.
The mutant Huntington’s gene contains instructions for
cells to make a toxic protein, called huntingtin. This code
is copied by a messenger molecule and dispatched to the
cell’s protein-making machinery. The drug, called Ionis-
HTTRx, works by intercepting the messenger molecule
and destroying it before the harmful protein can be made,
effectively silencing the effects of the mutant gene.
To deliver the drug to the brain, it has to be injected into
the fluid around the spine using a four-inch needle.
Prof John Hardy, a neuroscientist at UCL who was not
involved in the trial, said: “If I’d have been asked five
years ago if this could work, I would have absolutely said
no. The fact that it does work is really remarkable.”
The trial involved 46 men and women with early stage
Huntington’s disease in the UK, Germany and Canada.
The patients were given four spinal injections one month
apart and the drug dose was increased at each session;
roughly a quarter of participants had a placebo injection.
After being given the drug, the concentration of harmful
protein in the spinal cord fluid dropped significantly and
in proportion with the strength of the dose. This kind of
Spring 2018 Newsletter 3
New Trial shows Huntington’s Drug Slow
Progress of Disease
closely matched relationship normally indicates a drug is
having a powerful effect.
“For the first time a drug has lowered the level of the toxic
disease-causing protein in the nervous system, and the
drug was safe and well-tolerated,” said Tabrizi. “This is
probably the most significant moment in the history of
Huntington’s since the gene [was isolated].”
The trial was too small, and not long enough, to show
whether patients’ clinical symptoms improved, but Roche
is now expected to launch a major trial aimed at testing
this.
If the future trial is successful, Tabrizi believes the drug
could ultimately be used in people with the Huntington’s
gene before they become ill, possibly stopping symptoms
ever occurring. “They may just need a pulse every three
to four months,” she said. “One day we want to prevent
the disease.”
The drug, developed by the California biotech firm Ionis
Pharmaceuticals, is a synthetic single strand of DNA
customised to latch onto the huntingtin messenger
molecule.
The unexpected success raises the tantalising possibility
that a similar approach might work for other degenerative
brain disorders. “The drug’s like Lego,” said Wild. “You
can target [any protein].”
For instance, a similar synthetic strand of DNA could be
made to target the messenger that produces misshapen
amyloid or tau proteins in Alzheimer’s.
“Huntington’s alone is exciting enough,” said Hardy, who
first proposed that amyloid proteins play a central role in
Alzheimer’s. “I don’t want to overstate this too much, but
if it works for one, why can’t it work for a lot of them? I am
very, very excited.”
Prof Giovanna Mallucci, associate director of UK
Dementia Research Institute at the University of
Cambridge, described the work as a “tremendous step
forward” for individuals with Huntington’s disease and
their families.
“Clearly, there will be much interest into whether it can
be applied to the treatment of other neurodegenerative
diseases like Alzheimer’s,” she added. However, she
said that in the case of most other disorders the genetic
causes are complex and less well understood, making
them potentially harder to target.
About 10,000 people in the UK have the condition and
about 25,000 are at risk. Most people with Huntington’s
inherited the gene from a parent, but about one in five
patients have no known family history of the disease.
The full results of the trial are expected to be published in
a scientific journal next year. To read more on this article
visit https://www.theguardian.com/science
www.edgeservices.co.uk
01904 677853

4 Spring 2018 Newsletter
Legal Cases
NHS Trust Fined after Deaths of Elderly Patients
A Midlands based Hospital NHS Trust has been fined
following a series of Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
investigations into the deaths of five elderly patients.
Stafford Crown Court heard that the patients, aged
between 72 and 92, sustained fatal injuries as result of
falls whilst being cared for in hospitals run by the NHS
Trust between June 2011 and November 2012.
The HSE investigations found that fall prevention
measures, including close supervision of those in a
confused mental state, were not properly applied.
This was made worse by poor consideration and
communication surrounding measures to protect against
falls arising from each patient’s frailties.
The Trust pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of
the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined
£333,333 and ordered to repay £130,000 in costs.
In a statement, a great niece of one the patients who died
said, on behalf of the family:
“Edna was a wonderful sister, Aunt and finally a Great
Aunt to myself, sitting proudly as the eldest at the head
of the family. It’s been a difficult five years without such
a special lady who I regarded as another grandparent
having lost her own child many years ago, and even more
difficult with all the speculation surrounding her death.
“I am just thankful that, after today’s events, myself and
the rest of her remaining family can finally have some
closure and move on from the somewhat horrifying past
events and undignified circumstances in which Edna
passed away.
“Nothing will ever rectify, and
nothing will ever justify the tragic
events that led to Auntie Edna’s
death, but today I am grateful
for the Trust’s open admittance to
fault and I can only hope that bringing
my Aunt’s case to light will go a long
way in preventing such catastrophic future errors.
“Finally, as a family we’d like to thank the Health and
Safety Executive for pursuing this investigation, as
well as its impeccable support and professionalism
throughout the whole lengthy case in aim of achieving
the best justice possible.”
Vince Joyce, Health and Safety Executive Principal
Inspector for Shropshire said:
“First of all, our thoughts remain with each of the
five bereaved families, as they have throughout our
investigations. Our thorough inquiries found that these
elderly patients, already vulnerable, were exposed to an
acute risk of serious injury from falling.
“It was the duty of the Hospital NHS Trust to take
reasonable precautions to prevent vulnerable patients
from falling. Although policies and procedures were
in place for this to happen, they were not consistently
applied at the point of care. In different ways, these
patients were left exposed to the risk of falling which
resulted in their deaths. It is right for the Trust to have
been held to account for those failings in the Court
today.”
http://press.hse.gov.uk/2017/nhs-trust-fined-followingfalls-deaths/
Local Authority Fined After Social Workers Assaulted
A local authority has been fined after two of its social
workers were assaulted on a home visit by the mother of
a vulnerable child they were visiting.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 3 July
2015, two social workers visited the home of a vulnerable
child to carry out a child safety plan assessment. While
note-taking, both social workers were struck over the
head with a metal object by the mother, resulting in one
of them being knocked temporarily unconscious. While
both received serious wounds to the head, the social
worker knocked unconscious was later diagnosed with
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The investigation by the Health and Safety Executive
found the local authority failed to follow its corporate lone
working policy or violence and aggression guidance.
No risk assessment was completed and staff were not
trained accordingly. The local authority also failed to add
an aggression marker to make the social workers aware
of the hazards posed by the mother who was known to
have a history of violence.
The local authority pleaded guilty of breaching the Health
& Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 2(1), were fined
£100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,918.88
After the hearing, HSE inspector Neil Fry commented:
“Violent and aggressive incidents are the third biggest
cause of injuries reported to HSE from the health and
social care sector.
“The local authority in this case failed to adhere to
and implement its own systems and procedure for
the management of lone working and violence and
aggression against social workers. This risk could have
been reduced in a number of ways including carrying out
the visit in a controlled environment, such as the local
social workers’ office.”
http://press.hse.gov.uk/2017/local-authority-fined-aftersocial-workers-assaulted/
EDGE services

Care Home Operator Fined After Death
of Vulnerable Patient
A care home operator has been fined after the death of
a vulnerable patient in one of its residences in Owestry,
Shropshire.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard how, on 15 February 2015,
the resident of the care home in question was found at
the bottom of a flight of stairs leading to the cellar with his
wheelchair on top of him. The resident, who had one leg
amputated at the knee, was able to operate his wheelchair
alone and had periods of confusion. He was last seen by
the nurse on shift going into a lift by the cellar door to go to
his room on the first floor.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
found that although the door to the cellar had a key pad
latch and was fitted with a self-closing device, it opened
onto the stairs so that the first step was directly behind the
door. The handrail was fitted in such a way that it was not
possible to have a good handhold along its length, and
there was no hand rail at the top of the stairs due to the
door opening. The door was used daily by kitchen staff and
the maintenance man. The investigation also found that the
care home had not produced a risk assessment for access
and use of the cellar and therefore had did not take account
of the fact that the door opened inwards directly onto the
stairs without a sufficient landing area.
The care home operator was found guilty of breaching
Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work
Act 1974 and has been fined £120,000 and ordered to pay
costs of £41,997.48.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Stephen Shaw
said: “This tragic incident could have been avoided.
“It is unlikely this resident would have known the key pad
number to the door, therefore the door cannot have been
properly closed and locked.
“In this case, the risk assessment should have identified the
potential risks to both care home employees, visitors and
residents of a door which opened inward without sufficient
landing.”
http://press.hse.gov.uk/2018/care-home-operator-finedafter-death-of-vulnerable-patient/
This is the last hard, paper copy of the EDGE
newsletter.
To ensure you receive future editions as an email
attachment, please visit www.edgeservices.co.uk and
click on the NEWS tab to subscribe.
Spring 2018 Newsletter 5
Enhance Your Moving and Handling
Skills with EDGE Key Trainer
Workshops – New for 2018
These one day ‘key trainer’ workshops have been
designed to reflect changes within the care sector and
to further advance the moving and handling and risk
assessing skills and knowledge of EDGE-trained key
trainers.
The workshops will focus on the following topics:
Single-handed Care Packages
Discussing the complexities of the risk assessment
process and subsequent decisions which need to
be very carefully considered when delivering singlehanded
care packages to reduce hazards to both
the client and the staff. Delegates will practise safe
handling techniques using appropriate equipment.
Complex People Handling Risk Assessment
Discussing how to undertake risk assessments,
select the correct equipment and make the best
decisions regarding moving and handling techniques
when delivering profoundly complex care packages
in the community and in care home/supported living
environments. Delegates will complete a complex
people handling risk assessment during this session.
Bariatric Handling
Discussing the most appropriate way of moving and
handling obese or severely obese individuals whose
biomechanics may be altered. Using a ‘bariatric
empathy suit’ to recreate the moving and handling of
a larger person to best effect, delegates will practise
safe handling techniques using specialist equipment.
Very Complex Care Needs (Manual Handling)
Discussing how to undertake risk assessments, select
the correct equipment and make the best decisions
regarding moving and handling techniques for adult
clients who have profoundly complex care packages
for example: spinal injuries, a complex diagnosis
like Huntington’s Disease, cerebral palsy etc.
Delegates will practise safe handling techniques using
appropriate equipment.
For a full overview of each of our one day ‘Key
Trainer’s Workshops’ please visit our course page
https://edgeservices.co.uk/courses/
Available across the UK as in-house training events,
we have also set public course dates for April 2018
in York and for September 2018 in Birmingham. We
hope to roll the workshops out to some of our other
public course locations in 2019.
Places are limited on the public events so book yours
today!
www.edgeservices.co.uk
01904 677853

6 Spring 2018 Newsletter
People Handling and
Risk Assessment
Key Trainer’s Certificate
Our flagship course has established
EDGE as one of the leading providers of
training to the healthcare and social care
sectors.
Course Overview
This course will provide delegates with
the knowledge, skills and
confidence to train others in the
moving and handling of people and in
the conducting of manual handling risk
assessments.
Who Will Benefit?
This course is for delegates with a
responsibility for health & safety and
welfare of carers and clients with
regards to the moving and handling of
people.
Assessment and Certification
Course assessment comprises:
• a one hour ’open-book’ test to
determine delegates’ theoretical
understanding of the course content;
• delivery of a group mini-training
session in order to assess teaching
skills, organisation, and delivery of
appropriate course content;
• a practical skills assessment, which
takes place continuously throughout
the course.
Course Aims and Intended Learning
Outcomes
By the end of the course delegates shall:
• demonstrate a sound knowledge of
legislation and professional guidance
which affects them, their job, their
employers and employees;
• briefly understand the workings of the
spine and how to reduce the risks of
spinal injury;
• demonstrate an appreciation of the
principles of biomechanics;
• demonstrate an appreciation of
ergonomics;
• demonstrate a sound knowledge of
risk assessment;
• demonstrate a sound knowledge of
‘controversial techniques’;
• demonstrate a sound knowledge of
up-to-date practical skills in moving
handling clients in a care setting;
• demonstrate the skills and confidence
to convey manual handling knowledge
and skills to others.
Upon successful completion of the
course, you will receive a certificate
of achievement from EDGE Services
which is valid for two years, endorsed
by the College of Occupational
Therapists and certified by the CPD
Certification Service. You will also
receive a Level 4 certificate from RoSPA
Qualifications.
Public Training Courses
Forthcoming Dates:
See below for full list
Course Duration: Four Days
For your convenience if you have
small numbers of delegates.
In-House Training Courses
Available in-house across the UK.
Course Duration: Four Days
We can tailor-make this course to suit
your requirements.
Our prices are designed to meet your
needs please call us on 01904 677853
to discuss your requirements.
Forthcoming Public Training Dates Include:
26 - 29 March 2018, York
3 - 6 April 2018, London
10 - 13 April 2018, Glasgow
10 - 13 April 2018, Birmingham
1 - 4 May 2018, Manchester
8 - 11 May 2018, London
15 - 18 May 2018, Oxfordshire (Banbury)
22 - 25 May 2018, York
29 May - 1 June 2018, Glasgow
12 - 15 June 2018, Brighton
19 - 22 June 2018, Birmingham
26 - 29 June 2018, London
17 - 20 July 2018, York
31 July - 3 August 2018, Glasgow
7 - 10 August 2018, London
EDGE services
28 - 31 August 2018, Birmingham
4 - 7 September 2018, Manchester
11 - 14 September 2018, Exeter
18 - 21 September 2018, Peterborough
25 - 28 Sept 2018, Oxfordshire (Banbury)
25 - 28 September 2018, Edinburgh
9 - 12 October 2018, York
16 - 19 October 2018, Cardiff
23 - 26 October 2018, London
6 - 9 November 2018, Glasgow
27 - 30 November 2018, Birmingham
4 - 7 December 2018, London
11 - 14 December 2018, Brighton
18 - 21 December 2018, Manchester
Course Materials Comprise of:
• A 234 page professionally bound,
full colour course text book.
• A delegate CD ROM containing all
notes, handouts, delegate quizzes
etc that you would need to deliver
your own training courses as well as
an hour long DVD of practical skills
taught.
• A 27 page full colour ‘Ideas’ book
with training tips.
• Access to an exclusive on-line
Resource Library full of useful
information sheets, skills sheets and
training tools.
• Access to an exclusive e-learning
programme designed to cover the
theory content of people handling
training for ‘front-line’ staff.
All the above and more are included in the
course price.

People Handling and
Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate
(Refresher/Update)
Public Training Courses
Forthcoming Dates:
See below for full list
Course Duration: Two Days
For your convenience if you have
small numbers of delegates.
In-House Training Courses
Available in-house across the UK.
Course Duration: Two Days
We can tailor-make this course to suit
your requirements.
Our prices are designed to meet your
needs please call us on 01904 677853
to discuss your requirements.
Our flagship course has established
EDGE as one of the leading providers of
training to the healthcare and social care
sectors.
Course Overview
In order that trainers keep abreast of new
legislation and developments in manual
handling, EDGE Services recommend
a ‘Refresher’ course at least every two
years. This course will further advance
delegates’ professional development
and manual handling skills, and provide
the opportunity to trade experience with
others.
Who Will Benefit?
This course is designed for those who
have previously attended the EDGE
Services ‘People Handling & Risk
Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate’ or
simliar course. Delegates not previously
trained by EDGE Services will be
required to provide proof of their original
qualification.
Assessment and Certification
Course assessment comprises:
• a practical skills assessment, which
takes place continuously throughout
the course;
• informal Q&A throughout the duration
of the course.
Spring 2018 Newsletter 7
Course Aims and Intended Learning
Outcomes
By the end of the course delegates shall:
• have been reminded of, and made
aware of any relevant changes to,
legislation and professional guidance
which affects them, their job, their
employers and employees;
• have been reminded of the principles
of biomechanics and how they can be
applied to the efficient movement of
clients;
• have been reminded of ergonomics as
a means for the reduction of manual
handling injury;
• have been reminded of the importance
of risk assessment;
• have been reminded of the commonly
known ‘controversial techniques’ and
why some manouevres have been
classified as such;
• have had the opportunity to practise
up-to-date manual handling techniques
and to review new handling aids;
• have had the opportunity to assess
practical moves using current
assessment tools.
Upon successful completion of the
course, delegates will receive a
certificate of achievement from EDGE
Services, which is valid for two years.
You will also receive an Advanced Level
4 certificate from RoSPA Qualifications.
Course Materials Comprise of:
• A 234 page professionally bound,
full colour course text book.
• A delegate CD ROM containing all
notes, handouts, delegate quizzes
etc that you would need to deliver
your own training courses as well as
an hour long DVD of practical skills
taught.
• Access to an exclusive on-line
Resource Library full of useful
information sheets, skills sheets and
training tools.
• Access to an exclusive e-learning
programme designed to cover the
theory content of people handling
training for ‘front-line’ staff.
All the above and more are included in the
course price.
Forthcoming Public Training Dates Include:
3 & 4 April 2018, Glasgow
4 & 5 September 2018, Glasgow
24 & 25 April 2018, York
4 & 5 Sept 2018, Oxfordshire (Banbury)
26 & 27 April 2018, Birmingham
6 & 7 September 2018, London
1 & 2 May 2018, Manchester
11 & 12 September 2018, Peterborough
3 & 4 May 2018, Glasgow
2 & 3 October 2018, York
8 & 9 May 2018, York
4 & 5 October 2018, Edinburgh
17 & 18 May 2018, London
9 & 10 October 2018, Exeter
5 & 6 June 2018, Cardiff
11 & 12 October 2018, Cardiff
7 & 8 June 2018, Birmingham
16 & 17 October 2018, London
19 & 20 June 2018, Oxfordshire (Banbury) 1 & 2 November 2018, Glasgow
21 & 22 June 2018, London
1 & 2 November 2018, Birmingham
26 & 27 June 2018, Manchester
13 & 14 November 2018, Manchester
3 & 4 July 2018, York
20 & 21 November 2018, London
5 & 6 July 2018, Glasgow
22 & 23 November 2018, York
19 & 20 July 2018, Birmingham
4 & 5 December 2018, Brighton
24 & 25 July 2018, Brighton
6 & 7 December 2018, Glasgow
26 & 27 July 2018, London
18 & 19 December 2018, Manchester
30 & 31 August 2018, Manchester
20 & 21 December 2018, London
www.edgeservices.co.uk
01904 677853

8 Spring 2018 Newsletter
Children Handling and Risk
Assessment
Children Handling and Risk
Assessment (Refresher/Update)
KEY TRAINER’S
CERTIFICATE
Public Training Courses
Course Duration: Four Days
KEY TRAINER’S
CERTIFICATE
Public Training Courses
Course Duration: Two Days
This four day course
will provide you with the
knowledge, skills and
confidence to train others
in the moving and handling
of children/young adults
and how to conduct manual
handling risk assessments.
5 - 8 June 2018, Brighton
16 - 19 October 2018, Birmingham
For your convenience if you have small
numbers of delegates.
In-House Training Courses
Available in-house across the UK.
Course Duration: Four Days
This two day Refresher/
Update course will further
advance your professional
development and manual
handling skills, and provide
you with a valuable opportunity
to trade experience with
others.
8 - 9 November 2018 Birmingham
For your convenience if you have small
numbers of delegates.
In-House Training Courses
Available in-house across the UK.
Course Duration: Four Days
We can tailor-make this course to suit
your requirements.
Our prices are designed to meet your
needs please call us on 01904 677853
to discuss your requirements.
We can tailor-make this course to suit
your requirements.
Our prices are designed to meet your
needs please call us on 01904 677853
to discuss your requirements.
Course Accreditations:
Course Accreditations:
For more details please
visit our website www.
edgeservices.co.uk/courses
For more details please
visit our website www.
edgeservices.co.uk/courses
Understanding and Managing
Behaviour that Challenges
KEY TRAINER’S
CERTIFICATE
This four day course
will provide you with the
knowledge, skills and
confidence to train others in
de-escalation and breakaway
techniques, which can be
adopted to deal with individuals
exhibiting challenging
behaviour.
Public Training Courses
Course Duration: Four Days
17 - 20 April 2018, York
10 - 13 July 2018, Birmingham
13 - 16 November 2018, Glasgow
For your convenience if you have
small numbers of delegates.
In-House Training Courses
Available in-house across the UK.
Course Duration: Four Days
We can tailor-make this course to suit
your requirements.
Our prices are designed to meet your
needs please call us on 01904 677853
to discuss your requirements.
Understanding and Managing
Behaviour that Challenges (Refresher/
Update)
KEY TRAINER’S
CERTIFICATE
This one day Refresher/Update
course will further advance
your professional development,
de-escalation and breakaway
skills and provide you with a
valuable opportunity to trade
experiences with others.
Public Training Courses
Course Duration: One Day
16 April 2018, York
9 July 2018, Birmingham
12 November 2018, Glasgow
For your convenience if you have
small numbers of delegates.
In-House Training Courses
Available in-house across the UK.
Course Duration: One Day
We can tailor-make this course to suit
your requirements.
Our prices are designed to meet your
needs please call us on 01904 677853
to discuss your requirements.
Course Accreditations:
Course Accreditations:
For more details please
visit our website www.
edgeservices.co.uk/courses
For more details please
visit our website www.
edgeservices.co.uk/courses
EDGE services

A Third Of Those With
Dementia Missing Out
On Care
It is NHS policy that all those with a diagnosis of
dementia should receive an annually-reviewed
individual care plan but one of the UK’s leading
charities, Age UK, reports that in excess of a third of
those in England with such a diagnosis are failing to
receive the care which they are due. Of the over-450
000 people so entitled significantly less than 300 000
had received either a new care plan or a review in the
year to November 2017.
Such care plans, the charity states, are “the gateway
to follow-up support from the NHS” and are designed
to offer support and adapt as the condition progresses.
And, with the number of those with dementia expected
to top a million within seven years, the current issues
threaten the likelihood that people will be able to
continue to thrive in the community as their condition
deteriorates.
“Our analysis suggests,” Age UK’s charity director,
Caroline Abrahams, told The Guardian, “that many
people with dementia are losing out on the NHS followup
support they need and are supposed always to be
offered, once they have received their diagnosis.” She
went on, “As a result, they and their loved ones are
missing precious opportunities to get help with living
as well as possible with the disease. The absence
of a care plan also means that people with dementia
are not being signposted to services that really could
improve their physical and mental health, and sense of
wellbeing.”
The charity went on to say that services offering
support are of insufficient quality amidst concerns that
the Government are failing to live up to Prime Minister
Theresa May’ promises to enhance the “quality of
post-diagnosis treatment and support for people with
dementia and their carers.” Age UK’s report, however,
suggests a range of actions which could yet play a
significant role in the implementation of individual care
plans such as specialist nurses, counselling and both
horticultural or dance therapy. The report’s author,
Kate Jopling, said that it, “sets out what people with
dementia want, what’s been tried elsewhere, what
evidence there is that it works.”
Responding to Age UK’s claims of a shortfall in the
implementation of care plans, a spokeswoman for the
Department of Health and Social Care said, “We want
to make this the best country in the world for dementia
care and we therefore expect everyone with dementia
to have a personalised care plan. NHS England data
shows that over the last two years, more people with
dementia are getting better access to support.”
Spring 2018 Newsletter 9
Blue Monday Trivialises Depression
Blue Monday is traditionally thought to be ‘the most
depressing day of the year’ - a day when people are
feeling flat after Christmas, have racked up some debt
over the festive season, or, are simply fed up with bad
weather and long, dark evenings.
But mental health charities and campaigners say this
feeling of being generally low happens for many people
at the beginning of the year, and doesn’t necessarily
mean they are suffering from depression.
Stephen Buckley, head of information at the charity,
Mind, said: “There is no credible evidence to suggest
that one day in particular can increase the risk of people
feeling depressed and suggesting as such contributes
to damaging misconceptions about depression,
trivialising a potentially life-threatening illness.
“One in six people will experience depression during
their life. It can be extremely debilitating with common
symptoms including feeling down, empty or numb,
having no self-esteem, finding no pleasure in the things
you usually enjoy or experiencing suicidal thoughts.
“There are certain things that may contribute to
people feeling down at this time of year, such as
post-Christmas financial strains, broken New Year’s
resolutions, bad weather and short daylight hours.
However, depression is not just a one-day event and
can happen at any time.”
Mental health charities have grown more vocal in recent
years about Blue Monday being used as a means
of highlighting depression, because it trivialises the
struggle that many depressed people experience daily.
It also compounds the stereotype that depression isn’t
very serious; that it is something which individuals
should or even can just ‘snap out of’. The statistics for
depression in the UK paints a very different picture.
Mr Buckley said: “One in four of us will experience a
mental health problem in any given year, which can
occur at any time for a number of reasons.”
Mr Buckley has advice for anyone who has serious
concerns about feeling low, depressed or their mental
health in general. He said: “If you are concerned about
yourself or a loved one then seeking support is one of
the most important things you can do.
“Our website has information on depression including
tips for helping yourself and guidance for friends and
family. You might also find it helpful to talk to your
GP, who can give you further information and discuss
treatment options.
“Going to see your GP might seem daunting but it could
be the first step to getting the help and support that’s
right for you.”
Mind has also produced a guide to help people speak
to their GP about mental health. You can visit mind.org.
uk/findthewords or call the Mind Infoline on 0300 123
3393 for more information.
www.edgeservices.co.uk
01904 677853

10 Spring 2018 Newsletter
CONFERENCE
DLF Conference – Moving and Handling People 2018
The DLF conference held on 31st January and 1st
February this year was attended by three EDGE trainers.
It was the 24th annual conference to be held in London
and this year had a special focus on promoting vigilance
in identifying manual handling risks, suggesting ways in
which these can be minimised, and promoting a culture of
organisational excellence.
In his plenary session Michael Mandelstam emphasised
how legislation impacts on the moving and handling
of people, referring to the impact of The Care Act of
2014 along with other relevant pieces of legislation and
discussing how necessary it is to distinguish law from
myths when deciding on a moving and handling solution.
Reference was made to several important legal cases
that although old are still considered as relevant today
as they originally were. The East Sussex County case
(EWHC167) is one in particular that is still regarded
as relevant today as it ever was. This case highlighted
the necessity of balanced decision making, taking into
consideration both the human rights of clients and
carers alike. It was interesting to remind ourselves that
complaints via the ombudsman, although not law, are
still very important, as are statutory guidance such as
“Handling Home Care”.
As we know, The Care Act 2014 focusses on well-being
and enabling people to achieve outcomes. Professionals
are not however obliged to follow clients’ choices if
these choices contradict professional opinion and are
considered unsafe. They are instead obliged to take
a view and make recommendations when meeting
their clients’ needs. In terms of equipment provision,
professionals only have to offer the cheapest option to
clients as long as this option meets the assessed needs
of the client in question.
An example was given where courts have been shown
as not being impressed with overtly risk averse decisions:
involving a gentleman caring for his wife at home.
Professionals did not like the way he undertook moving
and handling tasks. However, because he had been
undertaking the particular techniques for two years with
no incidents and, because his wife became upset when
care was delivered by strangers, it was felt that, in this
particular case, the benefits of him continuing to deliver
care outweighed the negatives.
This is the last hard, paper copy of the EDGE
newsletter.
To ensure you receive future editions as an email
attachment, please visit www.edgeservices.co.uk and
click on the NEWS tab to subscribe.
In his session, Michael Mandelstam posed an interesting
question “is single handed care a salvation or a poisoned
chalice?” There was discussion by professionals who feel
pressured to put in single-handed care packages in place
as a cost cutting-solution.
Melanie Sturman stressed in her session; “Moving and
Handling challenges, rights, risks and responsibilities”
that professionals need to remember that they are
not legally bound to provide treatment that is, in their
professional opinion, incorrect and that they should not
be coerced into doing so by their clients or managers.
Practical workshops during the conference gave
delegates the opportunity to discuss scenarios in groups
and to practise possible solutions.
Another workshop, delivered by Anita Rush, posed
the issue of moving a collapsed plus sized (bariatric)
person from a chair in an emergency. Setting the scene
with a volunteer wearing a bariatric “empathy suit” it
was discovered that a minimum of six people were
needed to make the manoeuvre work. This was a really
valuable and interesting workshop which made everyone
think ‘outside the box’ in terms of moving and handling
solutions for plus-sized clients.
The conference was a very valuable event and this year
saw some particularly interesting and thought-provoking
sessions. If you missed out in January, keep an eye out
for the Moving and Handling People North event, dates
for which are due to be announced later this year.
Forthcoming Conferences/Events
25 & 26 April 2018
Naidex – NEC Birmingham
www.naidex.co.uk
23 & 24 May 2018
Scottish Manual Handling Forum Conference –
Glasgow
www.smhf.co.uk/upcoming-study-days
11 – 13 June 2018
Royal College of Occupational Therapists
(RCOT) - Belfast
www.rcotannualconference.org.uk
5 July 2018
Kidz to Adultz Wales & West
http://www.kidzexhibitions.co.uk/kidz-wales/
21 – 22 November 2018
Occupational Therapy Show – NEC Birmingham
http://www.theotshow.com
EDGE services

Need to know
Dealing with Stressful Work Environments
Spring 2018 Newsletter 11
Background
The most recent Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) statistics
- November 2017 for the period
2016/2017 tell us that 40% of
cases of long-term ill-health in the
workplace was caused by stress,
depression or anxiety and that
49% of all working days lost due
to ill-health in this same 12-month
period were as a result of stress,
depression or anxiety. The human
health and social work activities
category, which includes the
healthcare and social care, and
the education sectors, were both
identified as having a statistically
higher rate of workplace stress
than other industries. (HSE 2017).
Work-related stress is defined as a
harmful reaction that people have
to undue pressures and demands
placed on them at work. (HSE
2008)
Stress is our body’s natural
defence mechanism and helps us
survive by alerting us to danger
and preparing our bodies for
action. When we feel trapped or
threatened our brain senses fear
and triggers our ‘fight or flight’
response. When this happens, we
experience physical sensations
like increased heart rate, stomach
churning, muscle tension,
headaches, tightness or pressure
in the chest, nausea and body
sweats. However, what happens
to you is not important: it is how
we deal with it that is crucial.
Research shows that the triggering
of our fight or flight response
activates the right part of our brain
which alters the way we think.
When trapped or threatened all
animals, including humans DART
– defend, attack, run away or
tolerate (accept their fate). When this
happens we can become aggressive,
defensive, destructive or resistant to
help and support and this can make
us very ill especially if it goes on
unmanaged.
The good news is that it is possible
to stop stress in its tracks and restore
our ability to feel better. Learning
how to best manage workplace
stress should enable us to reduce
negative thinking, boost energy,
increase confidence and reduce our
frustrations.
Below are three useful tips to enable
you to better deal with stressful work
environments.
1. Create a space conducive to
concentration
If your work environment is full
of the hustle and bustle of other
people around you and is therefore
distracting and tiring for you to
concentrate ask yourself if you can,
even momentarily, create a more
peaceful and possibly secluded
space for yourself. This may not
always be possible but even if you
can take yourself away from the
noisy environment for ten minutes
it could help relieve some of your
anxiety before it starts. Quiet,
positive reflection on a regular basis
is recognised by psychologists as
being very healthy for the body and
mind.
2. Use positive imagery when you
feel stress coming on
If the physical symptoms of stress
or panic occur don’t fight them,
accept them. However, to move onto
the next step, focus on a happy or
peaceful moment in your past or
keep a picture close to hand or on
your desktop/as a screen saver that
will help you feel at ease. Focussing
on a positive mental image helps
restore your emotional balance
and neutral state. Just taking a
few minutes to relax by going
into a peaceful place for a couple
of moments can ease anxiety
surprisingly quickly. Breathe
in slowly for five seconds and
breathe out slowly for ten seconds.
Repeat this for five or ten minutes
until you begin to feel more
relaxed and when you feel you
can accommodate more positive
thoughts.
3. Create a daily to do list
When you have restored physical
and mental calm focus on what
you can do rather than what you
cannot as this will help you feel
more in control. Many times, when
we feel stress it is because we are
trying to juggle too many things.
This can cause stress levels to
rise quickly and uncontrollably
and people often soon feel
overwhelmed. If you create a ‘to
do list’ it will remind you what
you need to do for that day and
generally it is a lot less than you
think when it is written down! You
will feel more positive when you
organise your day and remember
to say no to some things to keep
your workload manageable.
Workplace stress is a significant
problem within our sector, but
in many cases, you will be able
to overcome it by using the tips
mentioned above. If the workplace
environment becomes too stressful
and toxic you will need to take
action via your line manager. After
all, you must put yourself first if
prolonged and unmanaged stress
becomes destructive to your body
and mind.
www.edgeservices.co.uk
01904 677853

EDGE services
Exceptional Value
Added Service
Now Launched Our E-learning and
Resources Library
We are delighted to announce the launch of our E-learning module and
our Resources Library. These FREE services are available to anyone who
holds a current People or Children Key Trainer Certificate with us and are
valid for the duration of your certificate.
The E-Learning is designed for front-line care and education staff
to undertake themselves and covers the theory component of people/
children handling training.
• As a Key Trainer, the theory content of your courses can be delivered
in this way leaving you to focus on practical skills only.
• This will save you time and your organisation money and resources.
• The course should take staff about 60 minutes to complete and
as the Key Trainer you will receive your colleagues’ results via the
system and be able to give them feedback.
The Resources Library is designed for yourselves as Key Trainers.
• Access a wide range of information to enhance your own learning
and development.
• Access to a range of products that you can use for your own training
courses to make them more engaging for your delegates.
These new services can be accessed via www.edgeservices.co.uk
by clicking on the Resources tab at the top right of the home page. You
will need to enter your surname (this is as your surname appears on
your EDGE Certificate and is case sensitive) and your EDGE Delegate ID
number. This five digit number is found on the bottom left of your EDGE
certificate. If you have mislaid your certificate or the ID number appears
to be missing, please email to whatsmyedgeid@outlook.com
giving your full name, your organisation and the dates of your most
recent EDGE training. You should receive a response within 48 hours.
We are hopeful that you will find these resources useful in your future
training but please give us feedback at info@edgeservices.co.uk.
We would be delighted to hear from you.
Follow us on:
/EdgeServices
@EDGEhandling
EDGE services
01904 677853
enquiries@edgeservices.co.uk
edgeservices.co.uk