Positive Risk-Taking in Mental Health Safeguarding
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Positive risk-taking is a defining feature of modern mental health practice. Commissioners increasingly expect providers to demonstrate that safeguarding does not default to restriction, but actively supports recovery, independence and informed choice.
This article aligns with safeguarding principles explored in the Safeguarding mini-series and complements guidance under mental health risk and safeguarding.
What Positive Risk-Taking Means in Mental Health
Positive risk-taking involves supporting individuals to make informed choices that may involve managed risk, rather than removing risk altogether. In mental health services, this often relates to:
- Community access and independence
- Medication self-management
- Rebuilding social and occupational roles
The focus is on shared decision-making, not avoidance.
Balancing Autonomy and Safeguarding Duties
Providers must operate within a clear ethical and legal framework. This includes:
- Mental Capacity Act principles
- Human Rights Act considerations
- Safeguarding duties to prevent foreseeable harm
Commissioners expect providers to evidence how these are balanced in practice.
Defensible Decision-Making
Positive risk-taking must be defensible. High-performing providers ensure:
- Clear documentation of decision rationale
- Multi-disciplinary input where appropriate
- Proportionate risk controls
This protects individuals, staff and the organisation.
Role of Supervision and Governance
Staff confidence in positive risk-taking is directly linked to leadership culture. Providers embed:
- Reflective supervision
- Clear escalation routes
- Consistent organisational messaging
Without this, staff default to over-restriction.
Commissioner Expectations
Commissioners increasingly test how providers avoid risk-averse practice. Evidence often includes:
- Case examples of managed risk
- Learning from decisions that did not go as planned
- Service user involvement in risk planning
Evidencing Positive Risk-Taking
Strong providers clearly articulate positive risk-taking in tenders, quality reviews and inspections, demonstrating maturity, confidence and alignment with recovery-focused policy.
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