Pointers for Practice: Risk assessment tools

There are a diverse range of risk assessment tools available to assist practitioners determine whether an adult at risk is experiencing abuse or neglect.

Each Regional Safeguarding Adults Board will also have their own risk assessment tools, although they are not as well developed in the area of adult safeguarding as in child protection. These tools can be particularly useful when it comes to gathering information. However, it is important that assessment that makes use of tools does not become a rationale-technical activity. In other words, it is important that the focus is person-centred and there is recognition that each case is context-specific.

Barlow et al (2012) completed a review of risk assessment tools designed to assess harm to children. Their findings are relevant for adults at risk. They conclude that effective tools:

• Provide standardisation but also emphasise the use of professional judgement
• Support professional competence and confidence
• Do not minimise complexity
• Assist in identifying harm and whether there is a likelihood of it occurring
• Take an ecological approach
• Recognise the different stages of the assessment process
• Provide guidance on the use of the toll in different organisational settings
• Emphasise partnership working
• Draws on best evidence.

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  Further information:

Barlow, J et al, (2012) A systematic review of models of analysing significant harm (DoE), (Accessed 24/7/2019)