Risk Assessment Planning Made Easy For When You Take Your Resident's Out

The sun is shining and lots of outdoor excursions are being planned up and down the country by you wonderful AC's.  But do you know it is good practice to do a risk assessment? Read on and I tell you what you need to know.

The continuous thing I see and hear in the AC online groups is that  AC's are expected to know about things like risk assessments, care plans, activity planning etc but no one shows them and they are left with feelings of frustration and overwhelm.
 Risk assessment is something I would recommend AC's do as standard practice for lots of reasons and in this blog I cover the why and do's. Hope it helps you.

A risk assessment is a careful examination of what in your workplace could have the potential to cause harm to people in your care.

It allows you to evaluate if you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm.

Why You Need To Do A Risk Assessment

 It is a legal requirement under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to provide a care plan (Which your home manager will do) but under that remit you have to make sure it is centered on the resident's individual needs etc.

 And risk assessments need to be done if doing an activity, such as going out on an outing.
You need to consider two basic things during assessment. Firstly, physical risks, stairs, wheel chair access, mini bus/coach access, floor surface etc. Secondly, procedural risk, you need to consider manual handling, way staff work, staff ratios, resident's attitudes etc.
 Always ensure the risk assessment is signed off and reviewed periodically as stated on the risk assessment.

 This List is what you need to have on your risk assessment document-

 Things To Identifying 

Hazard- Identify the potential for harm.

Who's At Risk – State the names on the document.

 Level of Risk- Medium, high,low.

 Precautions- State what needs to be done.

Who will do them- Staff.

When- State when.

 Make sure it is signed and dated.

AC  Action Plan 

Health & Safety: To be responsible for your own Health and Safety and that of anybody else who may be affected by your acts or omissions.

 To complete risk assessments on activities, outings and events as necessary.

 Promote safe working practice in the care home.

 Do you have risk assessments in place for equipment used?

Make a list of what equipment you do have and what needs a risk assessment in your home-



Really important to have a risk assessment in place for lots of reasons. From a legal perspective if you’re not there and someone decides to use the parachute for example and someone holds it incorrectly and breaks a finger this can have huge implications on the home.
That’s just one example. it’s good practice and if you write the risk assessment people can have clear written instructions on how to use equipment and avoid negative things from happening as they sign to say they have read it and understood it.

And that way everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.

To make life easier ask your fellow colleagues if they have risk assessment they would be happy to share and you can then just tweak accordingly to suit the identified needs of your residents.

Online FB Group Support

I hear all too often the AC role is isolating so I have built up an online community to help support other AC's worldwide in our little hub.Lots of special promotions, free giveaways  and a great resource of files on activities is available to all members free.

You can join the group here 

-.https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup
I also do a monthly newsletter you can sign up here and get my free eBook-

 To get your free copy of our ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly"
Please click below:http://eepurl.com/Iw9p1

Until next time,

Keep Shining,

Ann Marie  x