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I'm worried about risk

Running activities and events for people to influence our work can be unpredictable and may feel risky at times. People told us this could be a barrier for staff. It often means 'safe' methods that people feel comfortable using are relied on rather than the appropriate method used for your work. Negative experiences can heighten this fear and further restrict development opportunities, leading to new and creative ways not being used because staff feel apprehensive.

Spending time thinking about potential risks gives staff confidence to prepare for them. It prompts thinking and direct action to reduce the risk of them happening in the first place. Our 'Managing Risks' tool is there to help you make decisions about involving people with lived experience in your work. It can also help you think about any essential and reasonable adjustments you might need to make. Making adjustments minimises the risk of tokenism and potential harm and increases the likelihood of a positive experience.
Alice at Mind says on using this tool:
"It's really helpful to map out the potential risks involved in engagement, thinking about what needs participants may have and planning how to meet these and support them. It helps us to feel better prepared to manage anything that comes up."

Tool

Managing risks

Use this tool so that you can be 5 steps ahead of yourself and plan any risks that might present themselves.

With instructions | Without instructions

Top Tips

  • Think about physical and emotional risks and what you can do to reduce the likelihood of an accident taking place or triggering someone resulting in them becoming distressed
  • Make sure you think about staff and the people taking part, everyone's safety is important!
  • After filling in the managing risk tool, ask others their thoughts and opinions. They may think of something different or see risk differently. It can be really helpful to hear other people's perspectives
  • Share the completed tool with the people running the activity with you. They will need to know what to do should a risky situation occur.

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