Rationale
A safe and risk-controlled environment is essential for delivering high quality care and services free from harm, injury and adverse events. This includes risk of neglect and harm to self, to others and from others. Particular attention should be paid where children are involved.

Some service users will have particular immediate vulnerabilities due to their condition, such as dementia. For these groups, additional risks need to be assessed and managed as they present, and links to local vulnerable adult policies identified.

Care needs should be balanced against risk and emphasis should be placed on positive risk management involving all stakeholders. This includes recognising both the organisation’s role and the individual practitioner’s role in risk management.

Local governance structures should include a mechanism to review serious incidents or near misses.

Examples of evidence required to meet standard 11:
Criteria 11a:
- Blank copy of risk assessment document
- Risk management policy or protocol
- Staff guidance re risk assessment and management

Criteria 11b:
- Blank copy of risk plan and/or care plan and/or crisis management plan

Criteria 11c:
- Incident reporting policy or protocol
- Blank copy of incident report form
- Minutes for clinical governance meetings