During National Safeguarding Week, it’s important to reflect on how safeguarding in care homes extends beyond protection. Safeguarding plays an important role in preventing harm, but it is also key in how we empower residents to live fulfilling, independent lives. One of the main ways we can achieve this is ‘positive risk taking.’ At B&M Care, we believe in providing residents with opportunities to take part in meaningful activities that give them a sense of purpose, while ensuring their safety through appropriate safeguarding measures.
What is Positive Risk Taking?
Positive risk taking is about finding a balance between enabling residents to take risks that improve their wellbeing, and ensuring they are protected from harm. In the context of a care home, it means assessing the potential benefits and risks of an activity, allowing residents to engage in life-enhancing experiences while managing those risks carefully. This approach supports a resident’s autonomy, dignity, and right to make decisions about their own life.
How Positive Risk Taking Connects to Safeguarding
Safeguarding is at the heart of all of our care at B&M, and positive risk taking is closely linked to this. Rather than preventing residents from participating in activities they enjoy or find fulfilling, care homes encourage them to do so with the right support and risk assessments in place. It’s about ensuring that safety measures are robust without being restrictive, so that residents can enjoy the best possible quality of life.
The emphasis is on striking the right balance between keeping residents safe and supporting them to live with freedom and purpose. This approach to safeguarding is proactive, considering each individual’s desires, capabilities, and the potential risks. By focusing on positive outcomes, engagement and wellbeing, safeguarding in care homes can be as effective as possible.
How Positive Risk Taking Happens in Care Homes
Positive risk taking in care homes is often about supporting residents to take part in activities they enjoy—activities that give them a sense of independence and achievement. Staff work closely with residents and their families to understand their interests, goals, and abilities, ensuring that the right care home safeguarding processes are in place.
For example, if a resident enjoys helping with household tasks or wants to continue a hobby they’ve always loved, care staff assess any risks and find ways to mitigate them while supporting the resident to take part in these activities. Whether it’s gardening, volunteering, or taking on a role in the home, residents are encouraged to remain active and engaged.
What is Purposeful Occupation?
Purposeful occupation refers to activities that give individuals a sense of accomplishment and meaning. For many people, moving into a care home doesn’t mean giving up the things that make them feel fulfilled. Whether it’s taking on responsibilities within the home, or continuing a lifelong passion, purposeful occupation helps residents maintain a strong sense of identity, purpose, and self-worth.
This is where positive risk taking comes into play. By providing residents with opportunities to engage in meaningful activities, care homes enable them to continue living purposeful lives, while ensuring their safety through carefully managed risk assessments.
Positive Risk Taking and Purposeful Occupation at B&M Care Homes
At B&M Care, we are proud to support residents in pursuing purposeful activities that bring them joy and confidence. Here are some examples of positive risk taking in action, along with the safeguarding measures that ensure these activities are:
– Lenny at Montrose Care Home
Lenny is a resident at Montrose Care Home who plays an active role as one of the home’s Fire Marshals. He assists staff with weekly fire safety drills and performs regular fire safety checks around the building. Lenny has even completed fire marshal training provided by the home’s Health and Safety Manager. By taking on this role, Lenny feels a deep sense of responsibility and purpose.
Safeguarding Measures:
Before Lenny could take on the role of Fire Marshal, a comprehensive risk assessment was conducted to ensure he could safely handle the tasks. He received thorough fire safety training, and staff are always available to supervise during fire drills and checks, ensuring all procedures are followed correctly. Lenny is supported with accessible equipment and has a clear emergency backup plan in place, ensuring both his safety and the safety of other residents.
– Wendy at Lakeside Care Home
Wendy has always loved gardening, and after moving into Lakeside Care Home, she joined the gardening team to maintain the home’s grounds. Every day, regardless of the weather, Wendy works to plan, plant, weed, and water various plots of land. Her involvement not only helps her remain active but also brings her a great sense of satisfaction.
Safeguarding Measures:
For Wendy to safely pursue her favourite hobby, staff conducted a physical capability assessment to ensure she could handle the tools and tasks involved. She’s provided with lightweight gardening tools and protective equipment, such as gloves and sturdy shoes, to prevent injury. Staff monitor weather conditions and advise Wendy when it’s safe to work outside. Regular check-ins ensure Wendy is safe and not overexerting herself, allowing her to enjoy her gardening while staying protected.
– Janet at White Plains Care Home
At White Plains, Janet continues to give back to the community by volunteering weekly at a local charity shop. She also supports activities within the home, taking on a role as an Activities Organiser. These responsibilities help her stay connected to the community and maintain a strong sense of purpose.
Safeguarding Measures:
To support her volunteer role, safeguarding measures include arranging safe and reliable transportation to and from the charity shop, as well as ensuring the shop’s environment is safe and accessible for her. The charity shop staff are made aware of any health needs, and she has clear communication protocols in case of emergencies. Within the care home, her Activities Organiser role is overseen by staff, allowing her to contribute meaningfully while having the right level of support and supervision to ensure her safety.
Each of these residents demonstrates how positive risk taking, when supported by thorough safeguarding, allows for a fulfilling, independent life even within the structured environment of a care home. Careful assessments, supervision, and communication all play a role in ensuring that these activities are not only safe but also empowering for the individuals involved.
Safeguarding in B&M Care Homes
Positive risk taking, when combined with robust safeguarding, allows residents in care homes to maintain their independence and continue living meaningful, purposeful lives. At B&M Care Homes, we pride ourselves on providing a supportive, safe environment where residents can pursue the activities they love, whether it’s volunteering, taking on responsibilities, or continuing hobbies. Our approach to safeguarding ensures that residents are protected, but not restricted, supporting them to live with confidence, joy, and purpose.
By embracing positive risk taking, care homes can empower residents to enjoy fulfilling lives while ensuring their safety—a balance that is at the heart of person-centred care.At B&M Care, safeguarding in our care homes is always a priority. To find out more about how we can support your loved one, please contact us today.