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

This guide will help you answer 2.1 Explain the process of developing a positive, person-centred approach to risk assessment.

Risk assessment in the care sector involves identifying and managing potential hazards while ensuring individuals can live fulfilling lives. A positive, person-centred approach to risk assessment focuses on balancing safety with an individual’s rights, choices, and independence.

In this guide, we will provide an example of developing this approach step by step.

What Is a Positive, Person-Centred Approach?

A person-centred approach means placing the individual at the centre of all decision-making. It focuses on:

• Their preferences, values, and goals.
• Promoting independence and self-determination.
• Viewing the person as a whole, rather than just their condition or needs.

Adding positivity means looking at risks as opportunities for growth and personal development rather than purely as dangers to be avoided.

Step 1: Recognising the Individual’s Rights

The first step is recognising that every person has the right to make choices about their own lives, even if these involve risks. Risk-taking is part of personal freedom, and individuals should not be shielded unnecessarily from choices that could bring them joy or fulfilment.

This means carers should avoid a purely “risk-averse” attitude. While safety is important, overprotection can lead to:

• Reduced independence.
• Feelings of frustration or helplessness.
• Limited opportunities to explore, learn, and grow.

Every risk assessment starts by acknowledging these rights.

Step 2: Gathering Information About the Individual

Understanding the individual is essential. To develop a person-centred risk assessment, carers must:

• Talk to the person about their aspirations, concerns, and priorities.
• Learn about their background, culture, and preferences.
• Consider their abilities, needs, and any specific limitations.

For instance:

• If someone wants to prepare their own meals but has sight loss, their risk assessment will consider both the person’s wish for independence and the practical challenges involved.

Engaging family members, advocates, or other professionals (with permission) can also provide valuable insights.

Step 3: Identifying the Risks

The next step is identifying potential risks. This involves considering both:

• Physical risks, such as hazards in the home or risk of injury.
• Emotional risks, such as stress, loss of confidence, or social isolation.

In a person-centred approach, risk identification involves collaboration. Individuals are encouraged to express their views and share what feels manageable for them. Risks are not imposed through assumptions but identified together.

For example:

• A person may want to wear their favourite shoes for mobility while understanding the risk of reduced grip or balance. Their views would shape the final decision.

Step 4: Assessing the Benefits and Harms

Risk assessment looks at both potential harms and benefits, aiming for a balanced view. There are questions to explore:

• What are the potential dangers, and how likely are they?
• What are the potential benefits, and how significant are they?

A positive approach shifts the focus to what can be gained. For example:

• An individual with learning disabilities might want to enrol in college. The risks could include increased stress or difficulties travelling independently, but the benefits—education, socialisation, skill-building—could far outweigh these concerns.

This balanced thinking ensures the risk assessment remains fair and empowering.

Step 5: Involving the Individual in Decision-Making

In a person-centred process, individuals must always be part of making decisions about their own care and support. This includes:

• Explaining risks in a clear, accessible way.
• Offering a range of options for how things can be managed.
• Respecting the person’s choices, even if carers don’t entirely agree.

For example:

• A person who wants to take up gardening despite arthritis may decide, with the carer’s input, to use specialised tools and take frequent breaks.

Mutual respect and open communication are key in this step.

Step 6: Developing Management Strategies

Once risks have been assessed, strategies are developed to reduce unnecessary dangers while allowing individuals to pursue their desired activities. This process involves finding practical solutions tailored to the person’s needs.

Common strategies might include:

• Providing adaptive equipment: Mobility aids, safety tools for cooking, or modified cutlery.
• Offering support when needed: A worker may accompany someone on their first few bus journeys until they feel confident travelling alone.
• Providing training: Teaching individuals skills like first aid, kitchen safety, or money management to ensure they feel prepared.

These strategies aim to make activities safer without limiting the individual’s independence.

Step 7: Continual Review and Adjustment

Risk assessments are not static; they need regular review. People’s needs, goals, and circumstances can change over time, which means risks and benefits need to be re-evaluated too.

A good review process involves:

• Talking to the individual about whether their goals or feelings have shifted.
• Observing how current strategies are working.
• Adjusting plans as necessary to reflect new needs.

For example:

• A person who initially needed supervision while preparing meals may later feel confident cooking independently. Their risk assessment would be updated to reflect this progress.

Ongoing reviews ensure that individuals continuously feel supported and respected.

Key Benefits of the Process

Developing a positive, person-centred approach to risk assessment has several benefits, including:

• Promoting independence: Individuals build confidence and skills when they are encouraged to take managed risks.
• Improving relationships: Empowering individuals fosters trust between carers and those they support.
• Enhancing quality of life: People feel valued and respected when their preferences and choices are prioritised.

Care workers play an essential role in ensuring the process remains respectful, fair, and tailored to each person’s unique situation.

Issues in Developing This Approach

It’s not always easy to create positive, person-centred risk assessments. Challenges include:

• Conflicts between safety policies and individual choices.
• Pressure from families or organisations to focus solely on safety.
• Limited resources to provide necessary equipment or support.

Care workers need to advocate for the individual’s rights while finding practical compromises that address everyone’s concerns.

Final Thoughts

A positive, person-centred approach to risk assessment is about empowering individuals to live the best possible life while managing potential dangers. By valuing people’s input, promoting their goals, and ensuring their safety, care workers can create an environment that prioritises dignity, respect, and personal freedom.