MH 4 Support positive risk taking for individuals

1. Understand the importance of risktaking in everyday life

• 1.1 Explain ways in which risk is an important part of everyday life
• 1.2 Explain why individuals may have been discouraged or prevented from taking risks
• 1.3 Describe the links between risk-taking and responsibility, empowerment and social inclusion

2. Understand the importance of a positive, person-centred approach to risk assessment

• 2.1 Explain the process of developing a positive, person-centred approach to risk assessment
• 2.2 Explain how to apply the principles and methods of a person-centred approach to each of the different stages of risk assessment
• 2.3 Explain how a service-focused approach to risk assessment would differ from a person-centred approach
• 2.4 Identify the consequences for individuals of a service-focused approach to risk assessment

3. Understand the framework which underpins an individual’s right to make decisions and take risks

• 3.1 Explain how legislation, national and local policies and guidance provide a framework for decision-making which can support individuals to have control over their own lives
• 3.2 Describe how a human rights based approach supports an individual to make decisions and take risks

4. Be able to support individuals to make decisions about risks

• 4.1 Support individuals to recognise potential risk in different areas of their lives
• 4.2 Support individuals to balance choices with their own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing
• 4.3 Describe how own values, belief systems and experiences may affect working practice when supporting an individual to take risks
• 4.4 Record all discussions and decisions made when supporting the individual to take risks

5. Be able to support individuals to take risks

• 5.1 Complete a risk assessment with an individual following agreed ways of working
• 5.2 Communicate the content of the risk assessment to relevant others
• 5.3 Support the individual to take the risk for which the assessment has been completed
• 5.4 Review and revise the risk assessment with the individual
• 5.5 Evaluate with the individual how taking the identified risk has contributed to that individual’s wellbeing

6. Understand duty of care in relation to supporting positive risk-taking

• 6.1 Explain how the principle of duty of care can be maintained while supporting individuals to take risks
• 6.2 Describe what action to take if an individual decides to take an unplanned risk that places him/her or relevant others in immediate or imminent danger