Risk assessment and management of abuse

Define risk assessment as a critical step in safeguarding individuals, involving the identification and evaluation of potential hazards and taking necessary steps to mitigate them.
Understand risk assessments must be person-centred, including the individual’s perspective and being tailored to their specific needs.
Know that risk assessments should consider physical, psychological, and emotional harm, as well as risks to the person’s independence or lifestyle.
Recognise that risk assessments must be documented and reviewed regularly, taking into account changes in the individual’s situation or wellbeing.

Define the steps of a risk assessment: identifying potential risks, deciding who might be harmed and how, evaluating risks and deciding on precautions, recording findings and implementing them, reviewing and updating the assessment regularly.
Understand that potential abuse risks can arise from various sources, including the individual’s health condition, their living environment, their relationships, and the care they receive.
Recognise the importance of promoting a positive risk-taking approach, where the aim is not to eliminate all risks, but to balance risk reduction with maintaining the individual’s quality of life.

Define risk management as the process of reducing the potential for harm through prevention measures, early intervention strategies, and response to incidents.
Understand that management strategies should be proportionate to the risk, neither overreacting nor under-reacting to potential hazards.
Recognise that effective risk management involves collaboration between the individual, their family, care providers, and relevant professionals.

Know that clear communication is crucial in effectively managing risks, including transparent conversations about risks, strategies, and outcomes.
Identify the importance of training for care workers, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to identify, assess, and manage risks effectively.
Understand that a responsibility-sharing approach can be helpful, where everyone involved plays a role in mitigating risks, to prevent the burden falling solely on the individual or a single care provider.