What is Positive Risk Taking in Health and Social Care?

Positive risk taking is a person-centred approach in health and social care. It means supporting people to make their own choices and take risks that can improve their quality of life, while balancing safety and wellbeing. Instead of simply avoiding risks, professionals work with individuals to find what matters to them and how to achieve it in a way that’s as safe as possible.

Everyone takes risks every day. For people who use health and social care services, taking positive risks can lead to greater choice, independence, and fulfilment. It underlines the right to self-determination, even when there are potential dangers involved.

The Principles of Positive Risk Taking

Supporting positive risk taking relies on some core beliefs:

• People have the right to make their own choices, as long as they understand the potential consequences.
• Risk is not always negative; sometimes, managed risks lead to positive outcomes, such as personal growth or increased confidence.
• Listening to people and involving them in decisions about their own care is essential.
• Everyone’s view of risk is different, based on their experiences, values, and preferences.

Positive risk taking is not about ignoring dangers or taking unnecessary chances. It is about thought-out decisions, open conversations, and shared responsibility between the person receiving care, their loved ones, and professionals.

Balancing Rights, Independence and Duty of Care

At the heart of positive risk taking is the need to balance three things:

1. The right of individuals to make decisions about their own lives.
2. The responsibility of professionals to prevent avoidable harm.
3. The aim to support as much independence as possible.

This balance can be difficult. For example, someone with dementia may want to go for a walk on their own. Staff may worry about them getting lost, but stopping them from going out could take away their freedom and enjoyment.

Positive risk taking means working with the person—maybe by providing a GPS tracker, asking a friend or family member to walk with them, or helping them to plan a safe route. This respects their wishes while reducing risk.

Examples of Positive Risk Taking

It helps to look at some everyday examples:

• A person with epilepsy wants to go swimming. Staff work with them to develop a plan so they can swim safely, such as having a buddy and making lifeguards aware.
• An older person wants to continue cooking, despite reduced mobility. The care worker agrees to help set things up and checks that equipment is safe.
• Someone with mental health problems wants to take a holiday alone. Staff talk through potential problems, help plan the trip, and agree on ways to stay in touch.

Moved by respect for a person’s choices, professionals create safer environments, rather than banning activities.

The Benefits of Positive Risk Taking

People experience a range of benefits when supported to take positive risks:

• Greater self-esteem through independence and achievement
• More choice and control over their lives
• Building new skills and confidence
• Better relationships with staff, built on trust and respect
• Reduced feelings of helplessness or frustration

For many, positive risk taking is linked to quality of life. Denying all risks can lead to boredom, unhappiness, and a loss of identity.

Assessing and Managing Risk

Before supporting a person to take a risk, professionals assess what could go wrong and plan ways to reduce harm. This process often involves:

• Talking with the person and their family about what is important to them.
• Describing the possible benefits and downsides of any decision.
• Considering physical, emotional, social, and environmental factors.
• Agreeing how to make an activity safer, such as using equipment or having support nearby.

Risk assessments must be individual and updated regularly.

Common ways to manage risks include:

• Providing safety equipment (e.g., alarms, walking aids)
• Making changes to the home environment
• Giving information and training to the person or their supporters
• Planning for emergencies

Positive risk taking does not mean risks are ignored. Instead, it is about managing and sharing them.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

In the UK, positive risk taking is supported by laws and guidance:

• The Mental Capacity Act 2005 says people can make unwise decisions if they have capacity. Professionals must support decision-making, not make choices for someone unless they clearly can’t decide themselves.
• The Care Act 2014 focuses on wellbeing and person-centred care. People have the right to make choices about their care, even if those choices involve risk.
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance backs positive risk taking as part of good care planning.

Balancing duty of care with respecting choices can feel challenging. Professionals have a responsibility to educate and support informed choices, and only intervene if someone’s safety is at serious risk.

Working with Individuals and Their Support Networks

Positive risk taking works best when everyone is involved:

• Listening to the person receiving care is most important. What are their priorities, fears, and goals? What does an acceptable risk look like to them?
• Family and friends can often support the individual in making safer choices.
• Professionals bring knowledge of potential risks and ways to reduce them.

Good communication is vital. People must have all the information needed to weigh up choices. Explaining risks in plain English and answering questions helps build trust.

Overcoming Barriers to Positive Risk Taking

Sometimes, staff and families worry about the potential for harm or the blame if something goes wrong. There are reasons why people might avoid supporting risk taking:

• Fear of blame if an accident occurs
• Lack of confidence in supporting risk taking
• Negative attitudes about the person’s ability
• Pressure to avoid mistakes or complaints

Staff training is key. Understanding how to assess and manage risks gives staff the confidence to support positive risk taking. Leadership that values person-centred care and a workplace culture that encourages open discussion about risk are important.

Recording and Reviewing Decisions

Good record keeping supports positive risk taking and protects everyone. Every decision and action taken must be recorded, including:

• What risks and benefits were discussed
• What actions were agreed
• Who was involved in the decision
• What support was put in place

This trail is valuable if things do go wrong. Reviewing outcomes regularly helps everyone learn from experience and make better decisions in the future.

Organisations’ Responsibilities

Organisations that provide health and social care have their own role in supporting positive risk taking. They can:

• Give staff the training and support they need
• Create policies that support balanced risk taking
• Promote a culture where safe choices are valued over blanket restrictions
• Provide resources, like equipment and information, so people can take part in activities more safely

Risk-averse organisations often limit people’s independence. Those with supportive policies help people to live more fully.

Supporting Different Groups

Positive risk taking applies to everyone using health and social care services, but approaches differ:

• Children and young people: Informed consent from carers is usually required, and best interests are always central.
• People with learning disabilities: Support with communication and decision-making is crucial. Risks are assessed individually, not based on a diagnosis.
• Older people: Support must focus on maintaining independence and avoiding overprotection.
• People with mental health needs: Fluctuating capacity and the impact of mental health conditions need sensitive handling.

Staff must treat each person as an individual.

Examples of Good Practice

Some organisations promote positive risk taking in creative ways:

• Shared risk agreements, written in plain English, outlining what everyone will do to support a safe outcome.
• Involvement of ‘circle of support’—a group of people chosen by the individual to help them make decisions.
• Active review after incidents, to learn and improve future support.

Steps to Support Positive Risk Taking

Supporting positive risk taking can be clearer with structured steps:

• Ask the person what is important to them and what they want to achieve.
• Look at what could go wrong. Be honest about the possible consequences.
• Work out together how risks might be reduced.
• Record all decisions, including who agreed to what.
• Review regularly, and be willing to change the plan if things aren’t working.

Language and Attitude

An open and supportive approach starts with language. Instead of saying “You can’t”, staff ask “How can we…?” or “What needs to happen for you to…?” This promotes creative thinking and empowers the person.

Avoiding negative labels and assumptions is key. Seeing risk as a normal part of life helps everyone move from fear to balance.

Positive Risk Taking in Practice – A Short Scenario

Sarah is 25 and has Down’s syndrome. She wants to work in a café but has not tried travelling by bus alone. Her support worker talks with Sarah and her parents about the risks, such as getting lost or missing her stop. Together, they plan some practice runs and use an app to track her route. Sarah’s confidence grows, and she starts travelling independently. If there are any problems, the plan is reviewed and adjusted.

Here, risk is not avoided, but managed, with everyone working together.

Final Thoughts

Positive risk taking puts people at the centre of their lives. It means moving beyond simply keeping people safe, so individuals can choose, take part in activities, and live meaningfully—even if that means facing some risks. By working together, respecting each person’s wishes, and using clear plans, health and social care staff help people live the lives they choose.

Supporting positive risk taking is a key part of person-centred care in the UK, helping people live their best possible lives.