1. Managing and Assessing Risk
In Health and Social Care

2. Activity 1
Spend a few minutes developing a definition of risk taking. Focus on a very general definition which could be applied in any setting
Then spend few minutes attempting to define risk management

3. Definitions of risk Aleszewski and Manthorpe (1991)
‘The possibility that a given course of action will not achieve the desired outcome but instead some undesirable situation will develop’
Aleszewski and Manthorpe (1991)
Risk is closely linked to dangerousness, resulting in harm
Parsloe (1999)

4. Definition continued Wilson and Tingle (1999)
A clinical error to be at variance from intended treatment, care, therapeutic intervention or diagnostic result; there may be an untoward outcome or not’
Wilson and Tingle (1999)
The level of uncertainty associated with a particular activity, location, service or individual where harmful consequences might occur * Saunders 1999

5. Types of Risk
Environmental
People
Financial
Reputation

6. Components of Risk taking
Risk Activity
Positive Consequences
Almost Certain
Almost zero
Likelihood
Negative Consequences

7. Risk management
The identification and analysis of risk combined with explicit plans to control or manage this risk. This includes action or measures to prevent or decrease the likelihood of harmful or negative consequences.
Saunders 1999

8. Origins of Risk management
Pressures for efficiency
Increased expectation of service users and families
Readiness by services users and families to seek legal redress
Increase in litigious payment
Growth of patient organisations
Mimicking US culture

9. Origins of risk management (policy)
Working for Patients (1989)
The New NHS: Modern, Dependable (1997)
Changes in legal profession funding
Health and Safety legislation
Community Care Charters
A First Class Service (1998)

10. Activity 2
Think about your own service and discuss where there are service users engaged in activities which might be considered a risk. Think about the positive things the service user gains from the activity and also think about some negative.

11. Responsibilities as manager
Know the risks involved in your area of work
Know the procedures that staff are expected to follow
Ensure that safety equipment is available
Take action on faults or potential hazards
Ensure that there are comprehensive risk assessment procedures

12. Risk Management Strategy
Complaints procedure
Training and development plans
Disciplinary procedures
User and advocacy groups
Grievance policy
Quality assurance groups
Incident reporting systems

13. Key Questions What is the nature of the risk being assessed?
Who is saying it is a risk?
Who is it a risk for?
Whose responsibility is it to manage the risk?
What legal, practice or moral framework will inform decision making?

14. References
Martin, V. And Henderson, E. (2001) Managing in Health and Social Care. Routledge. London
Kemshall, H and Pritchard, J (1996) Good Practice in Risk Assessment and Risk Management. Kingsley Publishing. London
Sale, D. (2005) Understanding Clinical Governance and Quality Assurance. Palgrave. London
Saunders, M. (1999) Managing Risk in Services for People with Learning Disabilities. APLD. Nottingham