Multi-agency Risk Framework

The Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board multi-agency risk framework has been developed to provide support and guidance on how to manage cases relating to adults where there is a high level of risk but where the circumstances sit outside the statutory adult safeguarding framework.  The risk framework offers a multi-agency method to support the management of these risks in an effective way. It encompasses the six key principles that underpin all adult safeguarding work:

• Empowerment
• Protection
• Prevention
• Proportionality
• Partnership
• Accountability

The implementation of the risk framework should fully include the adult whose situation and circumstances are the cause for concern; they should be empowered to participate in the identification and assessment of the risks and in deciding whether the risk is acceptable or whether there are ways to reduce or to manage the risk.  The aim is to secure their wellbeing alongside their safety using the principles of ‘Making Safeguarding Personal’. The risk framework adopts a partnership approach in order to encourage better understanding of the nature and level of risk across partner agencies. It assumes a positive approach to risk and accepts that taking risk can have positive benefits for adults.

In summary the framework aims to:

• Ensure timely sharing of information
• Encourage collaborative working
• Promote the safety and security of adults who do not meet safeguarding thresholds, access services or refuse support
• Enable adults to retain control over their life and to make choices and decisions
• Support early intervention / prevention
• Provide guidance for partners to call and manage multi-agency meetings

Examples of people who may require a response under the risk framework include

• Adults who are at risk of exploitation and are victimised because of vulnerability, their lifestyle or specific needs
• Adults who are not receiving support but are making repeated demands on local services
• Adult survivors of child sexual exploitation who are at risk of further exploitation
• Adults who have capacity to refuse support around issues which may put them at risk.  This may include self-neglect, hoarding, exploitation and modern slavery

The framework has been available for use from September 2018. A series of workshops will continue to take place to ensure adoption of the risk framework. The Safeguarding Board’s Quality Assurance subgroup will evaluate the impact of the framework over time.

Multi-Agency Risk Management Framework Presentation with Voice-over 

Due to the current circumstances of the COVID-19 Pandemic, there will not be any face-to-face workshops for the foreseeable future. However a brief training PowerPoint Presentation with voice-over is available to view in the interim. This is intended as an introduction to the tool and framework. The framework and tool can be accessed at the top of the page.

To view the presentation with the voice-over, please click on the thumbnail below.

Please also find our case studies below to go along with the introduction to the Multi-Agency Risk Management Framework:

• Risk Framework case study
• The Hoarding case study

Other Resources:

• Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board Multi-agency Hoarding Protocol 2022
• Local government association making safeguarding personal; working with risk
• Local government association making safeguarding personal resources
• Audio visual resources 
• Service user involvement audio visual resources