What is Risk?

6.1    Risk can be defined as: 

“The chance of something happening or not happening that will have an impact, either negative (threat) or positive (opportunity), upon the achievement of objectives. It is measured in terms of likelihood and impact.” 

6.2    An event can occur because of: 

• Risks associated with impairment or disability such as falls 
  
• Accidents, for example, whilst out in the community, during travel to activities, clubs, education establishments, or at a social care service 
  
• Risks associated with everyday activities that might be increased by a person’s impairment or disability 
  
• Non-compliance in the use of medication 
  
• The misuse of drugs or alcohol 
  
• Behaviours resulting in injury, neglect, abuse, and exploitation by self or others 
  
• Suicide or self-harm 
  
• Aggression and violence 

6.3    The type of event depends on the nature of the person, their relationships with others and the circumstances they find themselves in. 

6.4    Risk is often thought of in terms of danger, loss, threat, damage or injury. But as well as potentially negative characteristics, risk-taking can have positive benefits for individuals and their communities. 

6.5    The difference for many disabled adults and older people with additional needs when they take risks is that they will do so when being supported by personal assistants or a support worker from a statutory service or an independent agency. Also, there will be times when a disabled or older person might take risks on their own, but a statutory service might be held responsible if harm to them or others occurs. 

6.6    A balance therefore has to be achieved between the desire of disabled adults and older people to do everyday activities, the duty of care owed by services and employers to their workers, and the legal duties of statutory and community services and independent providers. As well as considering the dangers associated with risk, the potential benefits of risk-taking have to be identified (‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’). This should involve everyone affected – adults who use services, their families and practitioners.