Understanding Risk within Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 2
Unit No:
K/618/3780
Credits:
2
Guided learning hours:
16 hours

Aim

This unit helps learners understand how to identify and manage risks in health, social care, and children’s environments. Learners will explore how to keep people safe while also supporting positive risk-taking that helps individuals grow, stay independent, and feel empowered. Learners will look at real-life examples and practice assessing risks, evaluating the benefits and dangers and finding ways to reduce risk without limiting opportunities for development.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

Know how to recognise potential risks to self and others.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1

    Describe environmental situations that could pose risk to self and others.

    1.1: Environmental situations that could pose risk, for example:

    • Areas where hazards can occur (indoor/outdoor, gardens, dining area)
    • Equipment/toys used in the setting
    • Hoists and lifting equipment
    • Moving and transferring objects and people
    • Food preparation and storage of cleaning products
    • Digital environments and online activities, for example, internet use, social media
    • Consideration of cultural and individual needs when assessing environments
  • 1.2

    Identify risks arising from the physical and/or emotional state of service users and carers.

    1.2: Risks, for example:

    • physical health conditions affecting mobility or awareness
    • emotional wellbeing, including anxiety or stress that may affect behaviour
    • communication difficulties that may increase risk
    • impact of individual backgrounds and experiences on risk perception.
2

Know how to assess and manage risk.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1

    Describe the positive and negative aspects of a specific risk.

    2.1: Positive and negative aspects, for example:

    • cutting and sticking activity:

    1. negative risk: cuts from scissors, glue ingestion, eye contact
    2. positive aspects: problem solving, creativity, developing fine motor skills

  • 2.2

    Describe the importance of assessing and managing risk. 

  • 2.3

    Outline ways of assessing risk in any given situation.

    2.3: Assessing risk, for example:

    • observations and environmental checks
    • consultation with service users, carers, and professionals
    • reviewing records and previous incidents
    • considering individual needs and circumstances
  • 2.4

    Explain ways in which risk could be managed.

    2.4: Ways in which risk could be managed, for example:

    • use of appropriate-sized and safe equipment, for example, children’s scissors, non-toxic glue
    • supervision and support tailored to individual needs
    • clear communication and guidance about safe behaviours
    • regular review and update of risk assessments
    • promoting digital safety measures, for example, internet filters, education about online risks
3

Understand how to identify circumstances in which risk taking should be encouraged.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1

    Give examples of instances where risk taking is essential.

  • 3.2

    Identify the benefits of the risk taking to individuals from the examples identified.

  • 3.3

    Outline measures that will minimise the risks identified without reducing the benefits of these risks.

    3.3: Measures that will minimise the risks identified without reducing the benefits, for example:

    • providing appropriate supervision and support
    • using safety equipment and protective clothing
    • clear communication of rules and expectations
    • tailoring support to individual abilities and needs