THE CARE CERTIFICATE WORKBOOK STANDARD 7
4
A risk assessment contains information on possible hazards to do with the care and
support provided and steps that need to be taken to control any risks.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) propose five steps to risk assessments:
1. Identify the hazards.
2. Decide who might be harmed and how.
3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions.
4. Record your findings and implement them.
5. Review your assessment and update if necessary.
(www.hse.gov.uk/risk/controlling-risks.htm)
If a new activity is going to be introduced, the fives steps of risk assessment must
be followed first.
Everyone’s choices are shaped by things like their
background, values, culture, religion or similar
beliefs (if any), education or past experiences.
Equally, everyone has the right to weigh up and take
risks that they believe will make their life enjoyable
and worthwhile. As a worker you can give your
view if the decision affects their health or social
care, but it is the individual’s right to make a choice
and take any risks once they understand all the
information available and are fully aware of the risks.
Risk enablement involves supporting individuals to
identify and assess their own risks and then enabling
them to take the risks they choose.
The person-centred approach in health and social
care tries to involve the individual in the planning
of their care and support as much as possible.
However, there might be times when someone is
unhappy with decisions that have been made on
their behalf or with the choices they are offered. If
this is not within your power to change you should
tell them about their right to complain and support
them to follow the complaints procedure.
Supporting active participation
Active participation is a way of working that supports an individual’s right to participate in
the activities and relationships of everyday life as independently as possible. The individual
is an active partner in their own care or support rather than being passive. The individual
is the ‘expert on themselves’ who knows best the way of life that matters to them, and
the worker must listen and take this into account at all times. For example, when it is a
birthday or a special occasion, the worker must ask the individual if and how they would
like to celebrate rather than making assumptions or telling others about the occasion
without their permission. Taking control of their own care and support helps an individual
build their identity and self-esteem. You should also keep equality and diversity in mind,
giving every individual an equal opportunity of achieving their goals, valuing their diversity
and finding solutions that work for them.