Positive Risk-Taking in Social Care: It’s Not About Being Reckless
When commissioners see the phrase “positive risk-taking,” they often brace for impact. Too many tenders drop the term without explaining it, raising questions rather than confidence. But when done right, positive risk-taking is not reckless — it’s empowering, ethical, and grounded in the rights of the person receiving care.
💡 What Is Positive Risk-Taking?
At its core, positive risk-taking is about enabling people to make informed choices — even if those choices carry some risk. It's based on the idea that a life without risk is often a life without autonomy, purpose, or dignity.
Think of it this way: the same risks we take every day (crossing the street, making a new friend, trying a new food) don’t disappear for people in care settings — they just need the right support to make those choices safely.
⚖️ Striking the Right Balance
In practice, positive risk-taking means balancing:
- 🔹 The person's wishes, preferences, and goals
- 🔹 The duty of care to keep them and others safe
- 🔹 The least restrictive approach possible
It’s not about taking risk lightly — it’s about planning carefully, communicating clearly, and documenting decisions.
📝 How to Evidence It in Tenders
If you're submitting a tender response, don’t just say "we support positive risk-taking." Instead, demonstrate:
- ✅ That you use individual risk assessments tailored to each person
- ✅ That you involve the individual and their circle of support in decision-making
- ✅ That you record best interest decisions where capacity is lacking
- ✅ That your staff are trained and supported to take balanced decisions, not avoid risk at all costs
🌱 It’s About Living, Not Just Surviving
The goal of social care is not just to protect — it's to enable people to live the lives they choose. Positive risk-taking, when done well, shows commissioners that you understand this, and that you're ready to deliver care that respects rights while maintaining safety.
💼 Rapid Support Products (fast turnaround options)
- ⚡ 48-Hour Tender Triage
- 🆘 Bid Rescue Session – 60 minutes
- ✍️ Score Booster – Tender Answer Rewrite
- 🧩 Tender Answer Blueprint
- 📝 Tender Proofreading & Light Editing
- 🔍 Pre-Tender Readiness Audit
- 📁 Tender Document Review
🚀 Need a Bid Writing Quote?
If you’re exploring support for an upcoming tender or framework, request a quick, no-obligation quote. I’ll review your documents and respond with:
- A clear scope of work
- Estimated days required
- A fixed fee quote
- Any risks, considerations or quick wins
🔁 Prefer Flexible Monthly Support?
If you regularly handle tenders, frameworks or call-offs, a Monthly Bid Support Retainer may be a better fit.
- Guaranteed hours each month (1, 2, 4 or 8 days)
- Discounted day rates vs ad-hoc consultancy
- Use time flexibly across bids, triage, library updates, renewals
- One-month rollover (fair-use rules applied)
- Cancel anytime before next billing date
🚀 Ready to Win Your Next Bid?
Chat on WhatsApp or email Mike.Harrison@impact-guru.co.uk
Updated for Procurement Act 2023 • CQC-aligned • BASE-aligned (where relevant)