Workshop A Risk & Risk Assessment Working in the community Gogarty Consultancy Providing Social Work, Training and Consultancy Services National Conference 2006

Overview of the Workshop

Overview Broadening Definitions Broadening Definitions Current Experiences Current Experiences Values Values Dilemmas and Conflicts Dilemmas and Conflicts Legal Perspective Legal Perspective Risk and Risk Assessment Risk and Risk Assessment

Briefly, just to mention… ’Ground Rules’ What will we commit to for the duration of the session? What Ground Rules will we commit to for the duration of the session? Can I suggest… Safe Environment Confidentiality Confidentiality

Expectations and Hopes What difference do you want the Session to make to you? What difference do you want the Session to make to you? What do you hope to see discussed? What do you hope to see discussed?

Risk – A Definition The possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger The possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger A factor, thing, element, or course involving uncertain danger; a hazard A factor, thing, element, or course involving uncertain danger; a hazard (Clancy,F 2006)

Current Experiences Some samples of current experiences particularly in terms of dilemmas related to risk and choice…

Values and Self Awareness Why is it important to have good self awareness? Because it tells us what we really believe in and what our attitudes really are!

Values Developing self-awareness helps to identify our own values, attitudes & prejudices Consider if you hold any views that might affect how you work with an individual…

Is there anything ‘different’ about the people you provide a service to? Consider: Do we hold perceptions or views which see the people you provide a service to as ‘different’ in any way? Do we hold perceptions or views which see the people you provide a service to as ‘different’ in any way? Have you encountered such views/perceptions for any of the people you provide a service to? Have you encountered such views/perceptions for any of the people you provide a service to?

Think about the following... What do you believe is the public or potential employer’s perception of the people that you provide a service to? What language/names/terminology have you heard used to describe the people that you provide a service to? And how are you viewed as staff members?

Think about the following... Is it important to ask ourselves the question…. Do we do anything to encourage any of these perceptions?

Values and Employment Opportunities What are the type of issues that pose challenges and/or dilemmas? How do you deal with these?

Relating values for practice principles to Employment… Dignity Dignity Respect Respect Integration Integration Choice Choice Relationships Relationships Individuality Individuality

Legal Perspective Duty of Care Staff have responsibility at all times to practice the principles of doing good and preventing harm What sort of difficulties or dilemmas can this pose?

Legal Perspective Adhoc, inconsistent or poor practice may raise issues around negligence Ensure that you are clear about the approach you use - is it good practice? can you justify it? Every practice response should reflect the situation and be customised accordingly

Planning and Risk Planning is a natural process for most people and we all plan for the future in different ways. Some people like to take each day as it comes and take opportunities as they arise, others have clear plans and goals of what they would like to achieve by a particular time in their lives…

Planning and Risk Many people with disabilities have to rely heavily on services and often do not have the same freedom/choices as others.

Why consider Risk Assessment? Any ideas?

Risk Assessment Allen (2002) Elements of risk: 1.Risk from self 2.Risk from others 3.Risk to carers 4.Risk from the community / neighbourhood

Why Risk Assessment? Protection and safety of the individual Protection and safety of stakeholders, i.e. family, staff, community, public Minimising or reducing risk

Why Risk Assessment? Minimising litigation risks Continous care and support Continued provision of service in desired environment

Risk Assessment Model (Allen 2002) Specify the concern Specify who might be at risk Specify what primary preventative strategies should be employed Clearly describe the early behavioural indicators that the person may be losing self-control/at risk

Risk Assessment Model (Allen 2002) Specify how plans should be recorded and reviewed Record Agreement with the Plan Specify a Review Date Specify how the risk management plan will be used to support access to employment

Conclusion Thank You