Managing risks: requires improvement

S2. How are risks to people assessed and their safety monitored and managed so they are supported to stay safe and their freedom is respected?

Characteristics of services we would rate as requires improvement in this area

The service does not always involve or listen to people, or act on their concerns about safety.

Information about risks and safety is not always comprehensive or up to date. Safety concerns are not consistently identified or addressed quickly enough.

There is limited use of systems to record, manage and report concerns about risks, safety and incidents. The systems may be hard to use or unreliable.

Risk management does not always consider the least restrictive option, and sometimes this limits people’s control over their lives and their independence.

Risk management systems or practices do not always take a holistic view of people's needs. The culture of the service may be risk averse and focused on clinical or physical risks.

The service may place unnecessary restrictions on people, which limits their lifestyles and independence, even where people agree to this.

Full information about risks to people's safety is not always passed on to staff who need it; arrangements designed to do so are not robust.

When things go wrong, reviews and investigations are not always sufficiently thorough or do not include all relevant people. Necessary improvements are not always made.

Staff may not always be aware of whistleblowing policies and how to report concerns, and if they do they may not always follow them.

Staff do not feel listened to, or receive updates on action taken.

The service does not always look for safety-related themes and trends or does not do so reliably and robustly.

Lessons are not always learned or shared with staff.

Good safety practice is not always sustained.

The service receives patient safety alerts but does not always review and act on them.

Where the service is responsible, people are at risk of harm because equipment is not maintained and serviced as needed. Safety certification may be out of date.

The service's approach to assessing and managing environmental and equipment-related risks is partial or inconsistent.

Not all staff know how and when to share information with external organisations, and referrals are not always made when they should be. People may be at risk of harm as a result.

People are not always provided with information about how to keep themselves safe or to raise any concerns.