‘The fact is that all life involves risk, and the young, the elderly and the vulnerable, are exposed to additional risks and to risks they are less well equipped than others to cope with. But just as wise parents resist the temptation to keep their children metaphorically wrapped up in cotton wool, so too we must avoid the temptation always to put the physical health and safety of the elderly and the vulnerable before everything else. Often it will be appropriate to do so, but not always. Physical health and safety can sometimes be bought at too high a price in happiness and emotional welfare. The emphasis must be on sensible risk appraisal, not striving to avoid all risk, whatever the price, but instead seeking a proper balance and being willing to tolerate manageable or acceptable risks as the price appropriately to be paid in order to achieve some other good – in particular to achieve the vital good of the elderly or vulnerable person’s happiness. What good is it making someone safer if it merely makes them miserable?’
Judge Munby on Local Authority X v MM &Anor (No1) (2007), (Accessed 6/6/2019)
When assessing and responding to abuse and neglect of an adult at risk, it is important to keep the above in mind. The dilemma for practitioners, ensuing from the above, is balancing autonomy and protection. Barry (2007) completed an international literature review and found, that legislation and guidance has focused increasingly on autonomy and people having more say and control over their lives. This is evident for example, in the principles underpinning the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and direct payments. This means practitioners may, if the adult at risk has mental capacity, accept decisions about levels of risk they do not agree with.
Maintaining a person-centred approach to risk assessment can be achieved if practitioners recognise:
Further information:
Barry, M (2007) Effective approaches to Risk Assessment in Social Work. An international literature review Scottish Executive. (Accessed 18/7/2019)