Support Positive Risk Taking

1.1Explain ways in which risk is an integral part of everyday life

Risk is an accepted part of everyday life. Everyone has the right to take risks and make decisions on their own. A balance should be found between service users participation in everyday activities and the carers duty of care. Social care and health policies are encouraging residents to increase their independence by being involved in the wider society such as leisure and work. It is impossible to eliminate risk completely, however minimising and being prepared for risk by preventative action.

Explain why individuals may have been discouraged or prevented from taking risks

see more:support individuals who are distressed

People need to take risks to achieve things, but there are people who should be supported and sometimes they have to be discouraged in taking risks because of perceived perceptions of the person’s limitations. You have to realize their limits as they can easily hurt themselves by thinking “yes, I can do this”.

Get quality help now

writer-Charlotte

Verified writer

Proficient in: Health

4.7 (348)

“ Amazing as always, gave her a week to finish a big assignment and came through way ahead of time. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

For example I was taking out Mrs B for a coffee and to do some shopping. One day she started to be very unsteady on her legs so I thought it’s not safe for her anymore to walk long distances. After that we still went out to do everything we did before but only with her wheelchair.

1.3Describe the links between risk-taking and responsibility, empowerment and social inclusion

Supporting individuals to take risks to do what they have chosen to do is part of a person centred way of working.

This is about asking the person, reading their file and speaking to others about the individual's background, and what their preferences, wishes and needs are. This begins with a focus on who the person is, their gifts and skills. By offering a positive vision of success, the approach can enable people to manage risk.

2.1Explain the process of developing a positive person-centred approach to risk assessment

A person-centred approach seeks to focus on people's rights to have the lifestyle that they chose, including the right to make also bad decisions. We have to keep the person at the centre and treat family and friends as partners. We have to focus on what is important to the person by always listening to them to learn about them.

2.2Explain how to apply the principles and methods of a person-centred approach to each of the different stages of the process of risk assessment

The individual should have a support plan which enables them to manage identified risks and to live their lives in ways which best suit them. In order to achieve this, a person-centred approach is required. To help people and those who care about them think in a positive way about how to ensure that they can achieve the changes they want to see while keeping risk in it's place.

2.3Explain how a service focused approach to risk assessment would differ from a person-centred approach

A service focused risk assessment would make decisions that suit the service provider rather than the individual. It could be that the service provider would need to provide resources in order to support the individual to do the things that they want to do.

2.4Identify the consequences for individuals of a service focused approach to risk-assessment

Individuals might feel left out by thinking that they are not in power by questioning their independence, which could lower their self-esteem. It could be difficult to find a middle way where the individual and the service provider are both happy.

3.1Explain how legislation, national and local policies and guidance provide a framework for decision making which can support an individual to have control over their own lives

The framework aims that all people, irrespective of illness or disability are able to achieve the following outcomes:
Live independently
Exercise maximum control of their lives
Participate as active and equal citizens, both economically and socially
Have the best quality of life
Retain maximum dignity and respect

This means that the person who uses services is involved in weighing up the risks they face with the protective factors in their lives, and that as a consequence their support plan enables them to manage identified risks and to live their lives and meet their outcomes in ways which best suit them.

3.2Describe how a human rights based approach supports an individual to make decisions and take risks

Individuals have the right to make their own decisions and choices under the Humans Right Act, as long as the decisions they make do not put them at risk of harm or injury and they have the mental capacity to make them.

4.3Describe how own values, belief systems and experiences may affect working practice when supporting an individual to take risks

As a professional health care worker, it is part of my responsibilities to treat all service users equality and never allow my personal beliefs affect my role. This is not acceptable in the healthcare practice and would be against the standard codes of practice, and organisational policies.

For example Mr B strongly believes that everything was created by God and I believe in science, but I always listen to him and respect his belief.

6.1Explain how the principle of duty of care can be maintained while supporting individuals to take risks

Skills for Care have developed several resources which support the learning and development of staff to help them to balance risk enablement with their professional duty of care and to take a person-centred approach to risk. This means I must keep the individual as safe as it is reasonably possible if they choose to act in a risky way which is their choice.

6.2Describe what action to take if an individual decides to take an unplanned risk that places him/herself or others in immediate or imminent danger

The individual has the right to risk his/her own safety but not to put others at risk. I must advise the individual of the dangers to him/herself and others. If it continues it is my duty to safeguard others so I must take action and stop the individual. I would then record it and report it to my line manager who can discuss this matter with the social worker and might arrange to review the risk assessment.