Defining Positive Risk-Taking
Positive risk-taking is a balanced decision-making process that involves careful, serious evaluation of the potential benefits of an action against its possible negative consequences to achieve positive outcomes. It demonstrates how positive risk-taking can be applied in practice, particularly within mental health services, to support people safely, drawing on available resources and supports to achieve better outcomes.
This process is about identifying potential risks (good risk assessment) and addressing any concerns while creating plans that reflect the stated priorities of supported people for living more fulfilling lives and achieving desired outcomes. Rather than focusing solely on avoiding harm, it recognises that some level of risk is a natural and necessary part of personal growth, learning, and autonomy in social care services.
The Goal of Positive Risk-Taking Approach
The ultimate goal of a Positive risk-taking approach is to encourage people to live self-directed lives by supporting them in making informed choices, even when those choices involve some degree of risk.
More specifically, the goals include:
- Encouraging people to have control over their lives and make their own decisions.
- Supporting people to develop resilience and self-awareness through experience.
- Supporting meaningful activities, trusting relationships, and goals that contribute to overall well-being.
- Enabling participation in community life, education, and employment opportunities.
- Assessing and managing risks thoughtfully rather than avoiding them altogether.
The Importance of Positive Risk-Taking in Health and Social Care
Positive risk-taking is a vital aspect of person-centred care in health and social care settings. In practice, positive risk-taking means working collaboratively with supported people to explore what matters most to them, understand potential risks and benefits, and put strategies in place to reduce harm while still enabling choice. This approach shifts the focus from simply protecting people to empowering people to make informed decisions and pursue their goals safely through person-centred care and support.
How Risk-Taking Supports Person-Centred Care
As we have already mentioned, person-centredness is present at every step of one’s care journey, through supporting people to make their own decisions, build independence, and stimulate growth.
Even small steps, such as supporting someone to use the stairs to visit family rather than remaining in a chair, encourage people to build confidence and experience a stronger sense of purpose. Risk enablement recognises the importance of meaningful experiences, such as enjoying time outdoors or preparing a favourite meal, in maintaining well-being.
Person-centricity is also about sharing information clearly, supporting people in making informed choices, and putting appropriate safeguards in place to help them reach their goals safely. Risk is personal and ever-changing. A person-centred approach recognises that what is considered an acceptable risk varies between individuals, depending on their values, preferences, and aspirations. Support plans should therefore be tailored to what matters most to the person, focusing on opportunities that enrich their life.
Examples of Positive Risk-Taking in Practice
Positive risk-taking can look different for every person, depending on their abilities, goals, and personal circumstances. For example, supporting someone with mobility challenges to walk short distances instead of relying solely on a wheelchair can help them maintain strength and confidence. While there is a level of physical risk involved, the benefits, such as improved mobility, self–esteem, and emotional well–being, often outweigh the potential for minor setbacks, especially when safety measures are in place.
For a person living with dementia, positive risk-taking might mean encouraging them to take part in familiar, meaningful activities such as gardening, grocery shopping, cooking, or visiting a local café. These activities may carry certain risks, such as confusion or physical strain, but they can also spark memories, reduce agitation, and enhance quality of life. The key is to plan support around the person’s abilities and preferences, rather than avoiding the activity altogether.
Similarly, people who experience anxiety or social withdrawal may benefit from gradual participation in community activities. Encouraging someone to join a local art group, attend a gentle exercise class, or volunteer can build confidence, social connections, and a sense of belonging. Although stepping out of their comfort zone might feel daunting at first, given the potential risks involved, the experience can lead to long-term emotional and social growth when supported by a trusted carer and a safe, understanding environment.
The Risk Assessment Process
Balancing safety with opportunity is central to a risk assessment.
The process typically involves several key stages:
- Identifying risks. The first stage consists of gathering information on potential physical, emotional, environmental, or social risks in a person’s daily life, activities, or care needs.
- Assessing likelihood and impact. Considering how likely each risk is to occur and the potential consequences for the person and the environment.
- Planning and making balanced decisions. Working with the person, their family, and the care team to weigh up risks and benefits, agree on acceptable levels of risk, and decide on the most supportive course of action.
- Implementing control measures. Putting practical steps in place to reduce or manage risks while still enabling choice and participation.
Risk assessment practice is flexible and responds to change, and it:
- Includes the views of people and their families/carers, giving them a prominent focus in the assessment, identification, and management of risk.
- Focuses on a person’s strengths to create a positive foundation for developing plans that support positive risk-taking (consider the person’s abilities, wider social and family networks, and the diverse support and advocacy services available to inform a balanced approach).
- Ensures that risk management is proportionate to the identified risk and its potential impact, and that it is subject to ongoing monitoring and review.
The Role of Caregivers and Support Workers
The concept of positive risk-taking involves engaging with risk purposefully, with the primary focus on achieving clearly defined, beneficial outcomes. A support worker might help a person with mobility difficulties practice walking short distances safely, or support someone with anxiety to attend a local community activity with reassurance and planning. In both cases, the worker’s role is to assess, plan, and enable, not to restrict or control.
By applying the principles of positive risk-taking, caregivers and support workers actively contribute to the individual’s overall well-being. They do this by:
- Helping people make their own choices and supporting informed decision-making.
- Identifying potential risks early and implementing safeguards without compromising independence.
- Recognising that independence and safety are interconnected, progress in one area often supports improvement in the other.
- Creating opportunities for people to achieve meaningful outcomes, such as developing confidence, skills, and social connections.
Risk Enablement
In everyday life, everyone takes risks to achieve personal goals. In social care, this process is recognised as a vital part of enabling individuals to live fuller, more independent lives. In this sense, risk and enablement are closely connected, each supporting the other in the pursuit of meaningful outcomes.
Risk enablement does not mean encouraging unsafe situations or allowing unnecessary risks to occur. Instead, it means working with people to identify opportunities for growth and independence that may involve some level of risk, and managing those risks in a balanced and thoughtful way. When supporting well-being, it is vital to recognise how risk and enablement interact. Risk enablement does not mean encouraging unsafe situations or allowing risks to occur unchecked. Instead, it focuses on supporting people through thoughtful, well-managed opportunities for risk-taking.
Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities and care practitioners have a legal duty and responsibilities to promote the well-being of people who use services. This includes supporting people to have as much independence, choice, and control over their daily lives as possible, while also ensuring their safety. Within this framework, risk enablement is a key part of a caregiver’s or support worker’s role. It’s about supporting people through carefully considered, person-centred risk-taking.
The Benefits of Positive Risk-Taking
Control over personal safety and daily life are both recognised within social care as essential factors in achieving positive individual outcomes. Importantly, the term ‘positive’ in positive risk-taking does not refer to the risk itself, but to the intended outcome. This distinction sets it apart from phrases like ‘positive risk’ or ‘positive risk management,’ highlighting that the ultimate aim is not to avoid risk but to use it thoughtfully as a means of achieving greater well-being and independence.
The benefits:
- Boosts confidence and provides a sense of satisfaction and achievement, helping people feel proud of their progress and capabilities.
- Enables independence to be maintained, supporting people in making their own choices and living more self-directed lives.
- Promotes a person-centred care approach by ensuring decisions are based on the individual’s values, preferences, and voice.
- Identify potential hazards and dangers through ongoing risk assessment, assessing the severity and likelihood of risks as circumstances change.
- Weigh the risks against the positive benefits, using aids, appliances, and technology to promote independence while reducing danger.
- Offer meaningful support by matching needs with services, and always include and respect the person, such as a person with dementia, in all decisions about their care and safety.
Unique Community Services Embraces Positive Risk-Taking
At Unique Community Services, we believe that positive risk-taking is an essential part of encouraging people to live fulfilling, independent lives.
Meet Jane.
With the support of our Assistant Registered Manager, Aimee Rossbottom, and our dedicated care team, Jane transitioned from an institutional setting back into her family home after nine months in hospital. With holistic, consistent support, Jane learned to rebuild trust, make her own choices, and embrace opportunities that fostered her well-being and self-determination.
Positive risk-taking encouraged Jane to move beyond her comfort zone, helping her rediscover her strengths and sense of purpose. Together with her support team, Jane developed strategies to manage challenges, build resilience, and take more control over her daily life and care decisions. Her journey shows how giving people the confidence to take measured risks can lead to lasting transformation and growth.
Outcomes of Positive Risk-Taking:
- Increased confidence, self-awareness, and emotional resilience
- Successful transition from hospital to home
- Improved communication and stronger relationships with her care team and family
- Reduction in behaviours of concern
- Achievement of educational goals (four GCSEs in five months)
- Engagement in meaningful volunteering opportunities
- Greater independence and participation in her community
Offices: Manchester and Leeds
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