Risk assessments are a legal requirement when helping an individual make decisions. They will give clear guidance on how to keep people safe and prevent danger, harm and accidents. Every individual should have one as part of their care plan. It should have information on their daily care and support, for example, hygiene, and go over how best to protect them and others from harm. Mainly, it will go over information on possible hazards and steps to be taken to control any risks. Here are the five steps to risk assessments:
- Identify the hazards.
- Decide who might be harmed and how.
- Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions.
- Record your findings and implement them.
- Review your assessment and update if necessary.
Risk enablement involves supporting individuals to identify and assess their own risks and enables them to take the risks they choose. By doing this you are helping the individual to become more independent and involving them in the planning process, improving the quality of their care. It is the right of individuals to make their own decisions and through risk assessments you can help support that.