Salford Multi-Agency Risk Assessment

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What is risk management (multi agency or single agency)

Risk is a normal everyday experience, from which we all learn and grow.

Always make judgements about likely risk based on evidence and shouldn’t be based on assumptions, emotion or anxiety. 

Unless the risk is abuse or neglect the purpose of risk assessment is to:

1. Maximise the positive impact of taking the risk; and
2. Reduce the negative impact; and this
3. May or may not lead to the elimination of risk.

If the risk is abuse or neglect, action should be taken to eliminate the risk wherever possible and a safeguarding concern should be reported.

Remember - when the risks have been identified you must consider, based on the available evidence:

1. How likely it is that the risk will occur; and
2. What the likely positive impact of the risk will be on the person/carer; and
3. What the likely negative impact may be on the person/carer; and
4. What the likely negative impact may be on others; so that
5. The level of risk can be determined.

A strengths based approach

Wherever possible, every conversation with a person/carer about the risk should be from a strengths based perspective. This means supporting them to explore whether there is:

1. Anything within their own power that they can do to manage the risk; and
2. Anything within the power of their family, friends or community that they can use to manage risk.

A strengths based approach is empowering for the person and gives them more control over the situation and how best to manage risks in the best way for them. Strengths based approaches are often more sustainable and can help to build the resilience of the person and their informal networks.

A positive approach to risk

Wherever possible you should take a positive approach to risk assessment unless taking the risk will increase the risk of abuse or neglect of the person (or another vulnerable adult or child).

This involves taking steps to:

1. Actively encourage and support a person to take a risk; when
2. Taking the risk is likely to achieve personal change, growth and promote individual wellbeing.

If the adult has 'substantial difficulty' in understanding and engaging consideration must be given to ensure that there is an appropriate person to help them, and if there isn't, arrange an independent advocate.

The person may be able to access the support of an advocate who can help to explain things they may not understand and support them to express their wishes and feelings.

For more information about Advocacy in Salford please visit Mind in Salford. 

Monitoring and Reviewing Risk Assessments

Risk is dynamic and constantly changing. Appropriate and proportionate arrangements should be made to monitor a risk assessment when:

1. The risk of abuse and neglect is high;
2. The plan to manage risk is unstable;
3. The likely effectiveness of the plan to manage risk is unclear;
4. The risk may be short term;
5. The level of risk is likely to change; or
6. Other less restrictive or intrusive ways to manage risk may become available.

Refer to Appendix 8 Key Principles of Risk Assessment and Appendix 9 Examples of risks that may be identified. 

Mental Capacity and ‘unwise decisions’

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 permits any person or carer with capacity to make an unwise decision.
An unwise decision is any decision that you, or anyone else thinks is not the best decision for them.
There may be cause for concern if someone:

a.    Repeatedly makes an unwise decision that puts them at serious risk of harm, abuse or exploitation; or
b.    Makes an unwise decision about risk that is obviously irrational or out of character.

In this situation you must carry out an assessment of capacity where it is appropriate and relevant to do so before making any decision about risk on their behalf.

Reviewing and monitoring risks

Risk is dynamic and constantly changing. Risk assessments should be reviewed in line with any timeframes that were agreed when the assessment was completed.

Appropriate and Proportionate measures

It is important that the measures to manage risk are:

1. Appropriate and proportionate to the overall level of risk present;
2. The least intrusive that they can be; and
3. The least restrictive of the person's human rights, particularly their right to liberty and family life.

Template of a Multi Agency Risk Assessment ***add link***