How to Balance Safeguarding and Positive Risk in Social Care

Positive risk-taking and safeguarding aren’t opposites — they’re partners. But many services struggle to show how they strike that balance in practice.

Commissioners want to see you empower people to take risks without compromising safety. That takes more than paperwork — it takes culture, clarity, and confidence.

⚖️ Balancing Empowerment with Protection

Good services ask:

• 🔍 Is the person aware of the risks and making an informed choice?
• 🔍 What can we do to reduce the likelihood or impact of harm?
• 🔍 Are there any safeguarding concerns that outweigh autonomy?

Risk doesn’t automatically mean danger. The Mental Capacity Act and strengths-based approaches remind us to support risk, not shut it down.

📚 What to Evidence in Tenders and Inspections

• ✅ Joint decision-making processes (person, family, MDT)
• ✅ Risk enablement plans that link to care plans
• ✅ Reviews following incidents to adapt support
• ✅ Safeguarding referral protocols when thresholds are met

Showing how you make decisions and adapt support is far more valuable than listing policies.

💡 Final Thought

Safeguarding isn’t about removing all risk — it’s about recognising when risk becomes harm and acting proportionately. When that’s understood by your team and embedded in your practice, you can demonstrate a truly person-led approach.