CASE OVERVIEW

PRESENTATION

AT THE RISK ENABLEMENT PANEL

Name: / Carefirst No/Other No:
Address:
Telephone number(s)
Home :
Mobile: / Date of Birth:
Ethnicity:
Does service user have mental capacity in respect of the issues being presented?
Yes No
Member of staff presenting case:
Team:
Date:
Will Service user/Carer/ family member be attending panel? Yes No
If yes please give details:
Interpreter? Yes No
What would you like the risk enablement panel to consider?
Is this an application for self directed support? Yes No
Are there any identified risks or potential risks which are not addressed/managed by the support plan/care plan?
Yes No
If yes give details including any differing perceptions/points of view and any attempts at resolution
Are there issues of conflict between service user and/or family/carer and /or staff members?
Yes No
If yes give details:
Has a safeguarding alert ever been raised about this service user? Yes No
If yes please give details:
Date(s), Type of abuse, Outcome(s)
Any other comments or information relevant to case:
Supervision: Has this case been discussed in supervision-who with and date?
Signed: Staff member:
Signed: Manager’s signature:
Team:
Date:

Please attach:

  • support plan
  • Supported decision tool (if used)

And any other evidence of how the person has been involved in the risk decision making

PRESENTATION

AT RISK ENABLEMENT PANEL

Date of Panel: / Venue:
Attendees:
Panel Chair:
Was Support Plan presented? Yes No
Was supported decision tool presented? Yes No
Any other documentation? Yes
Please specify:
Panel Recommendations:
Were all parties in agreement with Panel’s recommendations?
Yes No
If no give details:
Any other comments:
Follow up attendance at REP required?
Yes No
If yes when?
Signed (Chair of Panel): Date:

Guidance to Support the Risk Enablement Panel

Context

Risk is part of every day life, it is inherent in everything we do. Often it is the element that allows us to grow and learn and it is against this backdrop that this policy has been developed[1].

Risk management is one of the most complex areas of activity that people working in adult services work with on a daily basis. It possesses an ability to generate untoward incidents, challenging events, threatening situations, attribution of blame and fear of litigation. For these reasons, it is essential that practitioners and managers work in a culture of mutual understanding and support.

When disagreements occur there needs to be an agreed process in place for quick resolution involving appropriate senior staff.

Where there is a dispute between the individual and practitioner, or a question over the appropriate use of resources, conflict resolution mechanisms will be necessary

The processes around risk decision making need to be clear and responsive.

Although the Personalisation Agenda and the In Control project around Self Directed Support was a key driver for this development, it is recognised that the remit for the REP should extend beyond service users being taken through this process.

Objectives:

The risk enablement panel (REP) has been set up to:

  • Provide a forum where staff at different levels within Newham Adults Services can share risk decision making when teams or individuals are concerned about managing the level of risk
  • Provide support, guidance and direction to staff in the management of complex cases, including conflict resolution.
  • Ensure agreement in the risk decision making and to use resources creatively& flexibly to respond to complex needs
  • Ensure a consistent approach to managing complex risk decision making, where risk to independence is balanced with the risk of not supporting choice.

Criteria for cases to REP

Anyone can present a case to the REP where there is a complex or challenging risk issue and where guidance and decision-making are needed. The service user does not have to be in receipt of SDS to be presented at the REP: its purpose is to support the individual and staff to reach agreement around risk decision and management of those risks which can be managed.

Where SDS is being considered and there has been a previous safeguarding enquiry then cases must come to the REP.

Types of situations to present at REP will include:

  • Identified complex risks without clear or agreed mechanisms for their management
  • Complex health conditions where the individual wishes to take risks which others are concerned about
  • Disagreement between staff member and manager/team colleagues on managing the level of risk
  • Disagreement between service user and Carer/ family which have an impact on the outcomes the individual wants to achieve
  • Disagreement between service user and/or Carer/ family and staff members.

It should be noted that the REP will act in an advisory capacity and will make recommendations on what would be reasonable in terms of managing the risks which can be managed.; balancing the rights of all concerned.

As such it will not seek to reverse decisions that may have been previously assessed and agreed by staff and managers., rather it will offer a reflective space for consultation, reconciliation, problem solving and agreement in cases where the levels of risk raise concerns The REP will not seek to change financial assessments that have been made, although it may make recommendations that require alternative resources/ further financial consideration.

Process:

  1. REP Form 1A is completed for all cases being presented and sent to the REP Chair (Safeguarding Adults Managers) five working days prior to the panel meeting. Presenting worker to undertake
  2. REP form 1A will be sent to service users and/or Carer/ family members in advance and clarify if they would like to attend. Presenting worker to undertake
  3. Presenting worker will advise if persons are attending and any particular requirements-access/language/time
  4. if the panel needs to have representation from the service user in confidence this will be arranged
  5. REP Chair will ensure panel members receive all details in advance of the REP
  6. Cases being presented to the REP will be logged on REP database
  7. REP Administrator* will complete Form 1B and any additional minutes or notes and send to the presenting worker and REP Chair
  8. Once agreed REP Administrator will send out to all attendees.
  9. REP Administrator will record outcomes & recommendations on database
  10. REP administrator will ensure any follow up requirements are picked up at future REPs as required.

* REP Administrator to be identified

[1]Oldham Policy and Procedure; Risk Enablement. Sept 2007