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 Shift Handover
Procedures
Summary: The Shift Handover Procedures outlines processes for the passing on of
information and the transfer of responsibility and accountability between support
workers and others. It contains instructions on how to complete the Individual Shift
report, the communication book and diary.
 Shift Handover Procedures

Document name Shift Handover Procedures

Policy Shift Handover Policy

Version number 1.0

Approval date August 2015

Policy Manual Safeguarding Policy and Practice Manual

Approved by Deputy Secretary, ADHC, FACS

Summary The Shift Handover Procedures outlines processes

for the passing on of information and the transfer of
responsibility and accountability between support
workers and others. It contains instructions on how
to complete the Individual Shift Report, the
communication book and diary.

Replaces document Shift Changeover Policy and Procedures, 2006

Client Checks Policy and Procedures, 2002

Authoring unit Contemporary Residential Options Directorate

Applies to People who are being supported in ADHC operated

accommodation support services

Review date 2018

Version control
The first and final version of a document is version 1.0.
The subsequent final version of the first revision of a document becomes version
1.1.
Each subsequent revision of the final document increases by 0.1, for example
version 1.2, version 1.3 etc.

Revision history
Version Amendment Amendment notes
Date

V1.0 August 2015 Replaces Shift Changeover Policy and

Procedures, 2006
Replaces Shift Changeover Checklist, 2006

Replaces Client Checks Policy and Procedures,

2002

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 2

Table of contents

1 Introduction..................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Purpose ................................................................................................... 4
2 Definitions ....................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Work Health and Safety (WHS) ............................................................... 5
3 Roles and responsibilities ............................................................................. 6
3.1 Managers and supervisors....................................................................... 6
3.2 Support workers ...................................................................................... 6
4 Communication............................................................................................... 7
4.1 Written communication ............................................................................ 7
4.2 Face-to-face communication.................................................................. 11
5 Household ..................................................................................................... 11
5.1 Diary ...................................................................................................... 11
5.2 Communication book ............................................................................. 12
6 Support and advice ...................................................................................... 14
Other Resources – S.H.A.R.E.D ............................................................................ 15
Other Resources – Checking health and well being status ................................ 17

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 3

1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
The Shift Handover Procedures (the Procedures) describes Family and
Community Services (FACS’) Ageing, Disability and Home Care’s (ADHC)
requirements for recording and exchanging essential information concerning
people at the changeover of support workers between shifts and the transferring of
professional accountability and responsibility.
There are three documents involved in shift handover:
 the Individual Shift Report
 the diary
 the communication book.
Each of these documents (described in more detail later in this document) plays
an essential role in maintaining the safety and wellbeing of the person, and others
in the person’s environment, including support workers.
The Procedures are mandatory in ADHC operated accommodation support
and centre-based respite services. They are based on the principles of human
rights and quality management found in the New South Wales Disability Inclusion
Act 2014 and the Disability Inclusion Regulations 2014, including the New South
Wales Disability Service Standards. They are also based on the principles
outlining FACS’ commitment to deliver culturally responsive services to Aboriginal
people under the Aboriginal Statement of Commitment.

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 4

2 Definitions
There are some key concepts in handover practice which are important for support
workers to understand.

Term Definition
The act of accepting, acknowledging and assuming the
responsibility for an action/decision, including the
Accountability
obligation to report, explain and be answerable for
resulting consequences.
An incident where injury/harm is caused by disability
support practices, for example, a medication error or a
Adverse event failure to assist a person to obtain medical services
resulting in hospitalisation, rather than an existing
condition of the person receiving support.
The transfer of professional responsibility and
accountability for the care and support for a person, or
group of people, to another person or persons, including
between teams, families/carers, service providers (e.g.
day programs, holiday providers), and hospitals.
Handover
Shift handover refers to the transfer of professional
responsibility and accountability for the care and support
for a person, or group of people, at the change of shift
from the outgoing support worker/s to the incoming
support worker/s.
The development of informal and formal measures that
aim to manage the risk of harm to people with disability,
Safeguarding
protect their right to be safe and empower them to have
more choice and control over their lives.

2.1 Work Health and Safety (WHS)

FACS has an obligation to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that support
workers are safe, appropriately supported to do their job, and not exposed to
health and safety risks (Work Health and Safety Act 2011). In addition, FACS has
a duty to protect the health and safety of other people who might be affected
during the delivery of its services.
All handovers must contain information about the condition of the workplace that
may impact on safety. This information may include:
 incidents involving known or newly identified hazards and risks
 hazards, for example, faulty/damaged equipment or property and ineffective
support plans
 changes to the person’s My Safety Plan.

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 5

Further information on the management of work, health and safety risks can be
found in FACS’ Work Health and Safety Risk Management Procedure 2014.

3 Roles and responsibilities

3.1 Managers and supervisors
 Ensuring that all support workers are aware of and have access to the Shift
Handover Policy (the Policy) and the Procedures.
 Ensuring support workers understand their responsibility and accountability in
implementing the Policy and its Procedures.
 Developing, implementing and monitoring local processes that assist support
workers to achieve effective handover.
 Ensuring handover involves the transfer of information that is accurate,
complete, timely, relevant and easily understood.
 Ensuring that there are systems in place guaranteeing immediate continuity of
care while shift handover processes are being conducted.
 Ensuring emergency procedures are in place and followed.

3.2 Support workers

 Complying with the purpose and principles of the Policy.
 Acknowledging and accepting responsibility of the continuity of care for the
person or the people requiring support.
 Knowing the whereabouts, health and specific circumstances of the people
requiring support during a shift.
 Understanding that the completion of the handover process is an essential part
of the duty of care for all support workers.

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 6

4 Communication
When handing over responsibility and accountability, support workers must
communicate only the relevant information required to ensure continuity of care
and the safety of the person, as well as the safety of others around him or her.
Irrelevant or unnecessary information can lead to communication overload, and
critical information may be missed.
Handover requires preparation to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the
process. Support workers should obtain and update necessary documents,
including shift reports, the communication books, and the diary. Other relevant
documentation might include incident reports and any other forms, charts or plans.
At the end of handover, the incoming support worker should have a clear
understanding of:
 the current location of each person requiring support and their planned
movements
 any urgent matter alerts, for example, changes in support plans or medication,
or notification about people who might require focussed support or immediate
attention due to illness
 any immediate, imminent or outstanding actions required
 other important factors that may have an impact work on the following shift, for
example, WHS issues.
Some homes or respite centres may require local processes for the transfer of
additional information to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the person, support
workers and others. For example, if a person in a home has a specific focus on
paper and words, staff include ‘colour of paper for the day’ and ‘word of the day’ in
their handovers. If this information is not shared, the likelihood of behaviours of
concern is very high.

4.1 Written communication

Written communication should be clear, concise, without abbreviations or jargon,
and use easily understood words. It must be written using respectful language.
Written documentation will be supported by verbal handover where possible, to
reduce communication errors and improve continuity of care.
Individual Shift report
The shift report is an official document and may be used as evidence in legal
proceedings.
Requirements for recording:
 an Individual Shift Report is to be completed for each person and finalised at
the completion of each shift
 personal details and month/year are to be entered on the front cover at the
beginning of each month

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 7

 the signature sheet on the inside cover is to be completed by all support
workers during their first shift each month
 each entry in the notes section of the Individual Shift Report must be initialled
 the report is to be written in black or blue ink
 the Individual Shift Report should contain relevant, objective, factual and
accurate information. For example, following an incident support workers must
only record what they saw or heard happen and not their thoughts, theories or
feelings about what happened
 if more space is required for notes, they can be entered in the ‘Additional notes’
section at the rear of the shift report. The support worker alerts others that
more space has been required by initialling the ‘Additional note completed’ box
 errors are to be drawn through with a single line, initialled and dated. No white
out is to be used or text ‘blacked out’ with pen.
Urgent Matter Alert
The Urgent Matter Alert in the Individual Shift Report is to be used to notify other
support workers of important information relevant to the safety and wellbeing of
the person. This information includes, but is not limited to:
 updates of the My Safety Profile
 changes to a person’s health and wellbeing status, for example, seizure
activity, first aid given, medical procedure (such as tooth removed), medical
condition (such as gastroenteritis) which may require monitoring
 changes to support plans
 changes to medication
 any incidents or other urgent matters.
Emergency procedures
 Each home will develop and have prominently displayed emergency
procedures for accessing ambulance, police, fire services and line managers.
 Each home will ensure it has a missing person procedure that clearly details
the requirements of support workers if a person’s location is not accounted for.
 If a support worker is unable to locate a person(s) or has concerns about the
welfare and safety of a person(s) he or she is to follow the home or respite
centre’s emergency procedures as a priority.
Handover of information:
Handover should occur within the first 30 minutes of each shift (where practicable).
This includes the joint checking of medication, petty cash and the location of
people (as outlined below). Support workers are encouraged to follow the
S.H.A.R.E.D. model for verbal handover where this occurs (see Other Resources
– S.H.A.R.E.D.) To ensure effective handover support workers should:

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 8

 - read the Urgent Matter Alerts in all Individual Shift Reports and in the diary
and initial each alert once read in the boxes provided
- check/verify location of each person
- acknowledge the completion of this check by initialling the ‘Initial once
confirmed’ box in each person’s Individual Shift Report.
- read the diary
- check petty cash in accordance with Household Operating Account Policy
and local procedures1 and initial ‘Petty cash (start)’ box in diary.
- read all Individual Shift Reports for the previous 24 hours and initial once
read in the boxes provided in the last row for each shift
- read the communication book
- read any documentation referred to in shift reports and communication
book, e.g. learning logs, incident reports
- confirm the health and wellbeing status of each person in the home or
respite centre.
If a person is unwell at the commencement of a shift, then the person’s My
Health and Wellbeing Plan should be followed.
If a support worker is unsure or if the person’s My Health and Wellbeing Plan
does not cover the circumstances, then he or she should follow emergency
procedures as required, or seek medical attention and report to line
management.
The support worker will be required to acknowledge the completion of this
check by initialling the ‘Health & Wellbeing (shift start)’ box in each person’s
shift report. See Other Resources – Checking health and wellbeing for more
information.
Night shift only (or if no night shift, one shift per day): check individual
finances, record outcomes on individual cash summary sheets and initial box
‘Finances checked’ in the Individual Shift Report. This check must confirm that
all transactions of the person’s individual finances have been accounted for.
Any discrepancies must be investigated and if the cause of the discrepancy
cannot be identified, inform the Team Leader.

1 Auditable local procedures, for example petty cash records/registers/cash summary sheets, are required due to the withdrawal of the
Shift Changeover Checklist from use.

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 9

Documentation during each shift
Support workers will:
 initial the actions personally completed for the current shift in Individual Shift
Reports and the diary. For example, initial ‘Health care procedures’ box to
indicate completion of any health care procedures, such as wound care, stoma
care, pressure area care as per person’s support plans
 initial ‘Breakfast/lunch/dinner/supper’ boxes to indicate that the meal has been
provided in accordance with the person’s Mealtime Management Plan, if one is
in place, and his or her My Eating and Drinking Profile
 complete the communication book and diary as required, e.g. recording phone
messages and appointment times.
 complete any Urgent Matter Alerts in the Individual Shift Reports and in the
diary as required
 check medications and initial box ‘Medication taken & recorded’. This check
must confirm at a minimum that:
- all medication prescribed for the shift is no longer in the blister pack or has
been signed for
- all medication prescribed for the next shift is in the blister pack
- the packaging of medication in remaining blisters is intact
- there is sufficient medication for the next three days.
Any issues identified should be followed up appropriately.
 complete all other relevant and required documentation
 indicate any additional documentation completed by initialling the relevant
boxes provided, e.g. learning logs, incident reports
 check and indicate the location of each person in each individual’s shift report
 finalise the notes section e.g. community participation, highlight of the day etc
section by:
- recording outings/contact with others. (This may include day programs,
employment and recreational programs and must include information
received from other services that is relevant to the home or respite centre)
- describing the health and wellbeing and emotional state of the person. This
is best done by communicating with the person and including observations
made by other support workers
- asking or observing the person as to what the best part of the shift was for
him or her and recording the answer
- recording correspondence and social contact relating to the person such as
mail received, visitors, receipt of gifts, money or vouchers
- recording other relevant information in the ‘Notes’ section

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 10

 - referring other support workers to relevant documentation, e.g. Health
learning log, seizure chart etc.
 check petty cash in accordance with Household Operating Account Policy and
local procedures and initial ‘Petty cash (end)’ box in diary.

4.2 Face-to-face communication

If handover is conducted face-to-face, this will promote two-way communication,
enabling the support worker receiving the information to ask questions and clarify
any relevant information.
A simple communication technique is ‘check-back’ where the person receiving
information verifies it by repeating the information back to the sender and the
sender confirms that it has been understood correctly. Another technique is ‘read-
back’ where the incoming support worker reads information in written handover
communications and verbally repeats it back to the outgoing support worker/s who
confirms it has been understood correctly.
Timing
Punctuality during handover is important and will reflect the professionalism of all
those involved. Handover should have a clear start and end time.
Staggered shift times will require local consideration as to how important
information at handover is communicated to all staff.
Location
Shift handovers should occur in a consistent location. The location should be
quiet, have minimal distractions, ensure privacy when required, and provide easy
access to all related written documentation.

5 Household
5.1 Diary
The diary is an official document and may be used as evidence in legal
proceedings. It should only contain relevant information around each shift. The
diary is not for the purpose of personal staff appointments and should not
contain lengthy information.
Requirements for diaries:
 A diary is a current year calendar bound book.
 The diary must be labelled to identify the home or respite centre’s name, cost
centre 2 and address.
 All entries will be in black or blue ink only.
 The diary is to be stored in an easily accessible location known to all support
workers.

2 also known as organisation number e.g. Z99

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 11

 The diary is to be referred to by all support workers on each shift to ensure that
scheduled events are prepared for and attended.
 Errors are to be drawn through with a single line, initialled and dated. No white
out is to be used.
The diary is to be used for the following purposes:
 to record appointments, outings or visits
 to note relevant meetings, e.g. Lifestyle Planning meetings and team meetings
 to note Urgent Matter Alerts which are non-person specific and relate to the
home or centre, for example, disruptions to services (such as electricity and
water) and hazards (such as faulty electrical equipment). These may be
flagged with ‘Urgent Matter’ written in red pen or with and ‘Urgent Matter’
stamp
 to indicate that Urgent Matter Alerts have been read by support workers
initialing in the boxes provided
 to indicate that petty cash has been checked as per the petty cash procedures
 to note relevant events that involve stakeholders linked to the home or respite
centre, e.g. day program closures
 to note tasks or events related to the operation of the home or respite centre,
e.g. grocery deliveries, tradespersons, scheduled interruptions to utilities such
as water and electricity and vehicle maintenance.
If the event noted in the diary occurred as planned, the diary note should be
initialled by the support worker able to confirm it occurred. If the event did not
eventuate, this should be noted in the communication book to ensure follow up
where appropriate. It should be recorded in the related person’s file as relevant.

5.2 Communication book

The communication book is an official document and may be used as evidence in
legal proceedings. It should only contain information relevant to each shift.
Confidentiality must be considered and maintained when making any entry.
Communications are to be brief, in point form, factual, objective and not
derogatory in nature. References to a person receiving support must consist of a
brief note with directions given to where detailed documentation is located e.g.
“refer to (insert name’s) Individual Shift Report”.

The communication book is not for the purpose of support workers airing
grievances, disagreements, personal issues or correcting an individual
support worker’s performance. For example, comments like “X, you did not
do this. Why not?” are not appropriate or acceptable.

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 12

Requirements for communication books:
 A communication book is an A4 ruled and numerated bound ledger that is used
to convey information between support workers in a legible and concise written
format.
 The communication book must be labelled to identify the home/centre by
name, org number/cost centre and address.
 All entries will be in black or blue ink only.
 All entries are to be in readable handwriting.
 Support workers are to enter the date, their name and the shift time in the left
hand margin next to their first entry.
 A line is to be ruled from the end of each entry to the right hand edge of the
page.
 There are to be no gaps of blank lines between entries.
 Support workers are to initial after each entry made during the shift.
 Support workers commencing their shift must read all entries made since their
last shift or the previous two weeks entries if their last shift occurred more than
two weeks ago. Once read, the support worker initials the left hand margin next
to the last line of each support worker’s entries.
 Errors are to be drawn through with a single line, initialled and dated. No white
out is to be used and no text is to be ‘blacked out’.
 The communication book is to be located in an easily accessible place known
to all support workers.
The communication book is to be used to communicate:
 shift events – by referral to incident reports/ shift reports
 urgent matters relating to members of the household. These may be flagged
with ‘Urgent Matter’ written in red pen or with an ‘Urgent Matter’ stamp
 tasks arising from a health consultation, e.g. medication pick-up or
appointments to be made
 incoming/outgoing correspondence and documentation received at the home
or respite centre
 housekeeping or administrative tasks to be done or which have been
completed prior to schedule
 meeting messages left for support workers by other service workers
 messages from the family/carer/guardian and friends of a person
 staffing changes e.g. “ X phoned in sick replaced by Y”
 directions for staff to read memos, correspondence, minutes, reports etc.
 visitors to the home and purpose of the visit
 hazards, WHS or maintenance requirements.

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 13

6 Support and advice
For support and advice with this procedure, contact the System Reform and
Rostering, Service Improvement Unit, Contemporary Residential Options
Directorate.

System Reform and Rostering, Service Improvement Contact Details

Mail System Reform and Rostering, Service Improvement

Contemporary Residential Options Directorate
ADHC
Email policyandpracticefeedback@facs.nsw.gov.au

If you are reviewing a printed version of this document, please refer to the ADHC
intranet to confirm that you are reviewing the most recent version Following any
subsequent reviews and approval this procedure will be uploaded to the internet
and / or intranet and all previous versions removed.

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 14

Other Resources – S.H.A.R.E.D
Effective verbal handover can only occur if all support workers hold a similar
understanding and ‘mental model’ of the process and expectations of them. The
suggested model in ADHC is S.H.A.R.E.D.:
 Situation
 History
 Appointments
 Risk
 Expectations
 Documentation

Situation
Discuss the situation at time of handover, including:
 the whereabouts of all people living in the home or visiting the respite centre
(refer to ‘Where am I?’ row in each person’s shift report)
 asking the people living in the home or visiting the respite centre how they are
feeling (refer to ‘How am I feeling today?’ row in each person’s shift report).

History
Discuss what has occurred during the shift, including:
 a brief overview of people’s movements, e.g. outings, and activities throughout
the shift (refer to ‘Out and about’ row for each person and shift report notes)
 changes in a person’s health status requiring attention or monitoring (refer to
shift report notes and other documentation, e.g. My Health and Wellbeing Log)
 incidents
 descriptions of attempts to manage an issue and whether they have worked,
e.g. positive behaviour support strategies or trying to fill a shift
 Asking the people living in the home or visiting the respite centre what the
highlight of their day has been so far and recording this.

Appointments
Discuss any appointments attended during the previous shift or to be attended
during the current shift including:
 outcomes of any appointments, medical tests and results (received or pending)
(refer to shift report and diary and other documentation, e.g. Health Learning
Log in the My Health and Wellbeing Plan and Appointment Toolkits).

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 15

 any tasks to be completed, e.g. picking up medication or making appointments
(refer to diary and communication book).

Risk
Discuss information needed to keep everyone safe, including:
 Urgent Matter Alerts – such as changes to risk management and support plans
and medication changes
 incidents involving people with disability
 WHS incidents involving support workers or others
 hazard reports lodged during the shift
Complete the medication check together (if possible).

Expectations
Outline any additional expectations of the next shift, for example:
 outstanding tasks not yet completed (refer to diary and communication book).

Documentation
 Document verbal handovers by completing the ‘Verbal handover’ section of
each shift report.
 Ensure all relevant documentation is on-hand at the commencement of
handover.
 Refer to relevant documentation as required throughout the handover.

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 16

Other Resources – Checking health and well
being status
 Checking requires both sighting and observing the person to establish his or
her health status.
 The My Health and Wellbeing Plan, including Support Plans (such as asthma
management, epilepsy, diabetes, and behaviour) should include instructions,
which clearly state the frequency and required observations to be completed by
support workers. Refer to Part C of the My Health and Wellbeing Plan for a
summary list of support plans.
 If certain conditions have been identified by a medical practitioner as requiring
regular checking at night. These may include: epilepsy, deep sleep (diagnosed
by a neurologist), dysphagia; need for overnight feeding; limited voluntary
movement/high level of physical dependency; medical instability; respiratory
problems; need for oxygen or suctioning, and sleep apnoea.
 If required, indicate time of night time check, body position of person, instances
of sleep disturbance and/or incontinence in the notes section.
 There is no requirement for night-time checks once the person has retired to
his or her bedroom for the night if the person has no known relevant health
risks and the need for checking is not identified in the person’s My Health and
Wellbeing Plan and his or her My Safety Plan.
 Where night time checks are required, their frequency must be recorded in the
person’s My Health and Wellbeing Plan and his or her My Safety Plan.
 Any checking at night should occur in a way that minimises disturbance to the
person (e.g. quietly opening the bedroom door, using monitors etc.).
 The person’s My Health and Wellbeing Plan and My Safety Plan should be
revised if the person’s health status changes.

Shift Handover Procedures, V1.0, August 2015 17