How to Show Positive Risk-Taking in Audits, Inspections, and Tenders

July 30, 2025

Whether you’re preparing for a CQC inspection or responding to a tender, it’s not enough to say “we promote positive risk-taking.” You need to prove it.

Commissioners and inspectors want to see real-world application: how decisions are made, recorded, supported, and reviewed. Here’s how to demonstrate it with clarity and confidence.

📂 1. Show the Process, Not Just the Philosophy

Break it down clearly:

✅ How are individual risk assessments created and updated?
✅ Who is involved in the decision-making process?
✅ How is consent recorded or best interest applied?
✅ Where are the decisions documented and reviewed?

This level of detail reassures reviewers that your approach is both ethical and structured.

👥 2. Involve People — and Show That You Do

Highlight how the person receiving care is central to the decision:

💬 “X asked to return to horse riding. We reviewed the previous incident report with X, family, and staff to co-produce a new risk plan.”
💬 “Y’s circle of support meets quarterly to review ongoing positive risk decisions and outcomes.”

🛡 3. Document Staff Confidence and Support

Commissioners worry about unsupported staff making risky decisions. Show them:

✅ Your training covers positive risk-taking, MCA, and supported decision-making
✅ You hold team discussions and supervision on risk-related decisions
✅ You escalate complex cases for leadership sign-off

This builds trust in your team and reassures decision-makers.

📈 4. Reflect and Learn from Outcomes

Include how you review the outcomes of risk-based decisions:

🧠 “We debriefed the team and the person after the incident to review the plan going forward.”
🧠 “The outcome was successful — X achieved their goal, and confidence increased over time.”

That’s the kind of story commissioners and CQC want to see — not just policy, but real positive change.