1.3 Analyse strategies that can help a move to go smoothly

This guide will help you answer 1.3 Analyse strategies that can help a move to go smoothly.

Supporting a person through a move to a new home environment needs careful planning, empathy, and clear communication. The right strategies lower stress, protect dignity, and help individuals settle quickly. As a health and social care worker, you play a direct role in putting these actions in place.

This guide covers effective strategies, offering practical steps and real-world examples. Each approach supports not only the individual, but often their family, carers, and new neighbours too.

Person-Centred Planning

The most effective moves are based on person-centred planning. This means shaping decisions and actions around what matters to the individual, not just what is available.

Key elements include:

• Listening to the person’s wishes, worries, and preferences
• Involving them in every stage of planning
• Respecting their cultural background, routines, and beliefs
• Working together with family, advocates, or friends if the person wishes

Detailed planning meetings with everyone involved can help pinpoint specific needs. This could mean finding pet-friendly housing, or matching new carers with similar interests.

Clear Communication

Open and regular communication lowers anxiety and prevents confusion.

This involves:

• Giving clear, honest information about what will happen and when
• Using plain English, avoiding jargon
• Repeating information if needed and checking understanding
• Explaining the reasons for the move, especially if it was not the person’s choice
• Answering questions patiently

Written leaflets, translated materials, or visual aids support those with language barriers or learning needs. Communication aids, such as picture cards or digital devices, also help some people.

Familiarisation Visits

Visiting the new home or meeting new staff before moving day helps individuals feel more secure.

Benefits of familiarisation visits:

• Eases the fear of the unknown by allowing a “practice run”
• Helps the person visualise their new space and routine
• Offers a chance to meet other residents or staff
• Provides a forum for asking questions

For a child, this might include tours with a social worker and “taster” sessions. For adults, it can mean overnight stays or shared meals before moving in.

Staggered or Gradual Moves

Moving step by step, rather than all at once, can reduce overwhelm.

Ways to stagger a move:

• Starting with short stays and increasing time gradually
• Moving belongings bit by bit so the new space feels familiar
• Allowing overlap between the old and new environments for a smoother transition

This is especially helpful for people with dementia, learning disabilities, or high anxiety. Slow transitions give time to adjust emotionally and practically.

Individualised Support Plans

Creating tailored support plans for the first weeks helps address each person’s practical and emotional needs.

Elements of a support plan:

• Listing daily care needs, routines, and preferences
• Identifying key contacts (family, friends, previous support workers)
• Detailing medication and health requirements
• Highlighting dietary restrictions, likes, and dislikes
• Arranging for favourite activities or hobbies to continue

Sharing this plan with new carers, support staff, and the individual’s network helps everyone work together.

Supporting Emotional Well-being

Negative emotions such as loss, worry, or low mood are common during a move. Supporting emotional well-being is just as important as organising practical steps.

Ways to provide support:

• Active listening, with time for the person to discuss feelings
• Encouraging expression through art, writing, or talking therapies
• Being available and present, especially at times of potential upset (such as the first night in a new place)
• Monitoring for signs of distress and responding promptly

Advocacy or peer support can be valuable—some individuals benefit from speaking to someone who has experienced a similar move.

Involving Family and Friends

Keeping loved ones involved provides comfort and stability.

Important strategies:

• Encouraging family and friends to help with packing or decoration
• Supporting regular visits before and after the move
• Arranging for familiar people to attend handover meetings or celebrations
• Updating key contacts on the person’s progress

For some, seeing familiar faces in the new environment speeds up the adjustment process.

Continuity of Care

Maintaining continuity helps the person feel safe and understood.

How this can be achieved:

• Transferring information about routines, medication, and care preferences
• Ensuring the same key worker supports the person before and after the move where possible
• Using the same GP, pharmacy, or therapist if feasible
• Allowing familiar staff or carers to visit during the early weeks

Smooth handovers prevent gaps in support and keep the person’s needs as the main focus.

Personalising the New Environment

Making a new space feel like home encourages comfort and reduces stress.

Effective personalisation includes:

• Bringing favourite possessions, photos, bedding, or decorations
• Arranging furniture in a familiar way
• Displaying personal mementoes, religious symbols, or sensory items
• Allowing the person a say in how communal areas are used if possible

This can make the environment less clinical and more reassuring, especially for those with memory concerns.

Robust Assessment and Risk Planning

Careful assessment before and during the move helps identify risks and plan to lower them.

Key actions involve:

• Assessing environmental risks with home visits or occupational therapy input
• Checking for hazards (stairs, baths, security)
• Planning emergency contacts and responses
• Making sure the person has access to necessary equipment, medication, or aids from day one

Early identification avoids avoidable accidents and supports a confident start.

Access to Advocacy

Advocates represent the person’s wishes, safeguard rights, and ensure their voice is heard—especially for those with reduced capacity or communication needs.

Supporting advocacy:

• Arranging for independent advocates to join planning meetings
• Providing details on advocacy groups specialising in health and social care
• Encouraging self-advocacy where possible

This ensures decisions made about the move truly reflect what the individual wants.

Information on Local Facilities and Services

Knowing what is available nearby helps the person become part of their new community.

Useful strategies:

• Supplying information on shops, public transport, GP surgeries, and leisure facilities
• Arranging introductions to local social groups, day centres, or faith communities
• Identifying accessible routes and activities
• Arranging guided tours of the neighbourhood

Being connected to new services builds confidence and promotes independence.

Creating a Settling-In Period

Recognising the first days and weeks as a time of adjustment is important.

Practical steps:

• Allowing flexibility in routines
• Giving extra staff support during busy or emotional times
• Reviewing the support plan regularly with the person
• Checking in daily to ask about concerns or wishes

Feedback from the individual shapes improvements and encourages a sense of control.

Regular Review and Feedback

Regular reviews allow changes to be made based on the actual experience of living in the new place.

Plans should include:

• Weekly or fortnightly reviews with the individual and their supporters
• Making changes to routines, support, or environment as needed
• Using surveys, feedback forms, or informal chats to gather opinions

Being responsive to feedback increases satisfaction and safety.

Working as a Team

All professionals involved should communicate well and act in a coordinated manner.

Effective teamwork includes:

• Sharing information with permission
• Holding joint meetings, including social workers, health professionals, housing staff, and advocates
• Having a named contact for queries
• Agreeing a joint transition plan so everyone understands their roles

Strong teamwork prevents difficulties falling through the cracks and reassures both the individual and their family.

Final Thoughts

Supporting a move requires a range of thoughtful strategies focused on the person’s needs and wishes. Person-centred planning, clear communication, gradual transitions, and maintaining relationships all help. Emotional support and good practical arrangements make the difference between a stressful disruption and a positive new start. Your role is to champion these strategies, helping each move go as smoothly and comfortably as possible.