Designing Proportionate Risk Assessments in Supported Living: Enabling Safety and Independence
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In supported living, risk assessments must strike a careful balance: keeping people safe without limiting independence or applying unnecessary restrictions. Modern commissioning frameworks emphasise positive risk-taking, human rights and proportionate planning — meaning the purpose of a risk assessment is to enable a person to live the life they choose, not to block opportunity.
This guide sets out a clear process for developing risk assessments that reflect the person’s goals, values and growing independence. It also connects with wider approaches like Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) and positive risk-taking.
1. Start with goals, not risks
Traditional risk assessments often begin by listing dangers. In supported living, the starting point must be the person’s ambitions: cooking independently, going out alone, forming relationships, managing money, taking part in employment or travel training. The risk assessment then becomes a tool that supports progress toward these goals.
This shift ensures staff avoid a “barriers mindset” and adopt a more enabling, strengths-led approach.
2. Co-produce every risk decision
People with learning disabilities or autism often experience professionals making decisions on their behalf. Proportionate planning must therefore be co-produced using:
- visual tools, talking mats or step-by-step social stories
- plain-language explanations outlining “What’s the worry?” and “What will help?”
- support from SALT if communication needs may influence understanding
This ensures consent is informed, choices are respected and risk decisions reflect the person’s values and tolerance levels.
3. Understand risk categories to avoid overly restrictive planning
Not all risks are equal — but many risk assessments treat them as if they are. A helpful approach is to differentiate between:
- Static risks: long-term vulnerabilities (e.g., epilepsy, past trauma)
- Dynamic risks: temporary emotional, physical or environmental changes
- Situational risks: risks linked to specific tasks such as cooking or travelling
- Environmental risks: lighting, noise, layout, external surroundings
Once separated, risks can be managed proportionately rather than through blanket supervision.
4. Use graded exposure and “safe-to-fail” steps
People grow when they are allowed to try new things safely. Risk assessments should include graduated steps that increase independence over time. Examples:
- moving from 1:1 kitchen support → staff nearby → staff checking intermittently
- practising bus routes with staff → shadowing at a distance → travelling independently
- allowing personal shopping with remote prompts rather than physical supervision
These safe-to-fail stages help individuals build confidence and give staff reassurance that risks are controlled, not avoided.
5. Integrate assistive technology to reduce restrictions
Technology is now central to proportionate risk management. It reduces the need for intrusive supervision and supports safe independence. Useful examples include:
- Epilepsy monitors replacing the need for constant overnight checks
- Heat, hob and flood sensors enabling safer cooking practice
- Movement sensors supporting falls prevention without 1:1 shadowing
- GPS-enabled devices helping with travel confidence and reassurance
Technology is not a replacement for skilled staff, but it is a highly effective way to balance autonomy with safety.
6. Write in human, strengths-based language
The tone of a risk assessment reflects organisational culture. Avoid negative labels and replace them with respectful, person-centred language. Examples:
- “When feeling overwhelmed, Alex may need space” (not “Alex absconds”)
- “Requires clear boundaries to feel safe” (not “lacks capacity”)
This also supports CQC expectations around dignity and communication.
7. Review frequently — especially when independence grows
Risk assessments are dynamic documents. They should be reviewed:
- after incidents or changes
- after success and progress — to reduce restrictions
- at regular intervals (monthly or quarterly)
The goal is continuous movement toward greater independence while maintaining safety.
When risk assessments are co-produced, respectful, strengths-led and supported by technology, they become powerful tools for enabling people to live fulfilling, autonomous and confident lives in supported living.
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