A useful support handover

Keep the person involved

Where appropriate, ask the person what they want the next supporter to know. Their own words and preferred communication can explain something a task list misses. Check who needs the information and follow the person's sharing preferences and applicable consent arrangements.

Choose a private setting and an authorised way to share records. Avoid passing sensitive details through a group chat simply because it is convenient.

Separate facts from interpretation

Describe relevant things that happened, what support was offered and the response you actually observed. If someone else supplied information, make that clear. Mark unconfirmed information as unconfirmed.

For example, 'Sam said they wanted a quieter place and chose to leave at 2 pm' is more precise than 'Sam could not cope'. This is a fictional writing example; use the actual person's words and facts in a real record.

Make the follow-up clear

Do not record a planned action as completed. If an answer is missing, say what still needs checking instead of filling the gap with an assumption.

• What needs to happen next?
• Who has agreed to do it?
• When does it need to happen?
• Where will the outcome be recorded or checked?

Use the right record and procedure

This worksheet is a conversation aid. Use the organisation's authorised system for formal notes, incidents and required records. Follow existing clinical instructions, escalation arrangements and emergency procedures when they apply.

A general handover sheet must not replace an individual support plan or delay a response to an urgent concern. Keep only the information needed for the handover and store it in the right place.