Risk Assessment 

Hayfield recognises that service users have a right to make choices, including the right to take risks.  The avoidance of risk should not automatically be seen as a reason for limiting behaviour or curtailing activity.

Hayfield Support Services is a Residential and Day Care facility for deaf people with additional difficulties, which may include mental health or behavioural problems or Autistic Spectrum Disorders.  Hayfield seeks to ensure that all service users and staff can live and work in a secure but caring environment.  In order to achieve this, it is necessary to provide working and living conditions which minimise the risks of potential harm and which take into account the range of individual, special needs.  This Policy is written with reference to the guidelines produced by the Health & Safety Executive.

Environmental Assessment

In order to ensure that the physical environment of both the Day Care Centre and the Residences is maintained at a high level of safety and security, a 6 monthly “Health & Safety” Audit is carried out by a recognised external agency.

All recommended remedial work identified by the Audit will be undertaken as quickly as possible in order to ensure ongoing safety. 

Staff are required to report immediately any fault, breakage or damage which may give rise for concern about Health & Safety.

Hayfield Managers / Team Leaders will undertake regular inspections of the premises and contents, including all alarm and other safety features.

Annual Electrical Testing of equipment will be carried out by a recognised external agency.

Individual Assessments

From the time of their admission and throughout their period of care, all Hayfield service users will be assessed in terms of their degree of risk within the placement.

Risk Assessments will consider whether it is the service users themselves who are at risk, e.g. if the individual is particularly vulnerable or perhaps has a medical condition, as well as whether they themselves pose a risk to others, e.g. if the individual has a known potential for challenging behaviour.

Individual Risk Assessments will be undertaken at least twice a year as part of the service user’s standard Review and will form part of that individual’s Care Plan.  Alternatively a Risk Assessment will be undertaken immediately if a change of circumstances has been identified.

A Review / Risk Assessment meeting should consist, principally, of the service user’s Day Care Instructor, Residential Key Worker, Residential and Day Care Managers, Local Authority Social Worker / Representative, Advocate and any other individuals or agencies who have relevant knowledge or contact with the service user, including carers or family members.

Service users will be informed of any proposed Risk Assessment process and will be given reasons for its occurrence. 

Where appropriate, the service user may participate in the assessment process, or make their view or opinions known to participating members through an external advocate.  Any decisions resulting from this process will be made known to the service user and will be recorded on a standard Risk Assessment Form as part of that individual’s Care Plan.

Risk Assessments will include consideration of...

• What is the source of the risk?

• What is the nature of the risk?  For example, is it real or imagined?  Is the risk to self or others?

• Are there any environmental factors involved, e.g. specific locations, particular objects / colours / activities, which act as “triggers”, precursors, etc?

• Have there been previous incidents or evidence of risk?

• Has there been previous involvement of others at potential risk times, i.e. staff members, other service users, doctors, police, etc

• Is it possible to isolate risk to particular locations or specific times?

• What previous attempts to minimise risk have been successful or have failed / or are in need of review?

• Is there a need to move the individual to another location?

• Is there a need for other changes to routine or life-style, e.g. change of medication, change of diet, etc?

Considerations and decisions undertaken at a Risk Assessment will be recorded and contained in the service user’s Care Plan.

Decisions and actions resulting from a Risk Assessment will be recorded, reviewed and amended in the event of a change of circumstances.  Overall consideration of the process and of the service user’s progress will be made at the regular twice yearly, placement Review Meetings.

It will be the responsibility of Managers to ensure that the above procedure is followed and decisions are recorded and acted upon.

Activity Assessments

One of the prime objectives of Hayfield is to give service users experience and opportunities which can enrich and enhance their lives.

In situations where staff undertake planned activities which involve one or more service users in an activity which is unusual, away from the normal workplace or which involves non-Hayfield staff, consideration should be given to undertaking a Risk Assessment of this activity.  (This should NOT be used as way of restricting any activity or of avoiding risk, but should be used to anticipate and minimise potential problems).

Activity Risk Assessments may include aspects of both group and individual service user risks.

As part of the planning for such activities, staff will use the standard Risk Assessment Forms to record any anticipated risk and the necessary actions required to counter each risk.

Risk Appreciation

Positive Risk Taking will be employed, always after examination, consideration and discussion with the service user in order to balance the rights of the individual against the concerns of Hayfield’s duty of care.