What Positive Risk-Taking Really Looks Like in Care Settings
“We promote positive risk-taking” is one of the most overused — and under-evidenced — phrases in social care tenders. Commissioners want to see what it means in action, not just in theory. Here's how to bring it to life.
🔍 Think Beyond Buzzwords
Positive risk-taking is not about vague ideas of ‘encouraging independence.’ It's about clear, structured decisions that balance the individual’s rights and preferences with realistic safeguards.
Ask yourself: Could a commissioner reading your tender response see the practical systems and decision-making frameworks that underpin your approach?
📘 Practical Examples Speak Loudest
Here are real-world examples that resonate in tenders and inspections:
- 💬 “K chooses to take unsupervised walks to the shop. A tailored risk assessment, reviewed fortnightly, outlines agreed parameters and staff debriefs.”
- 💬 “Staff worked with A’s circle of support to trial independent travel on public transport, with step-by-step fading of staff support.”
- 💬 “All positive risk-taking decisions are reviewed in team supervision and recorded with consent on the person’s file.”
👥 Staff Confidence Is Key
One of the biggest blockers to positive risk-taking is staff anxiety. That’s why your service needs to:
- ✅ Provide training on the Mental Capacity Act and rights-based support
- ✅ Use team supervision to talk through real scenarios
- ✅ Maintain open lines of escalation for difficult decisions
Commissioners want to see that your staff are not left to navigate risk alone — and that your culture doesn’t default to “better safe than sorry” at the cost of people’s rights.
🧠 In Summary
Positive risk-taking is about dignity, not danger. Show commissioners and regulators that you understand how to support choice and control with care and competence.
💼 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)