COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Client-Centred Risk Assessment in Disability Support course. This program has been designed to equip disability support workers, coordinators, and organisational leaders with the knowledge and tools required to conduct effective risk assessments in disability support settings.

Risk assessment is not only a legal and organisational requirement—it is a vital process that protects the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of people with disability, while also supporting their right to independence and participation. This course introduces the principles of client-centred risk management, explores a wide range of risks across personal care, health, environment, behaviour, and community participation, and provides practical frameworks for documenting, monitoring, and improving safety strategies.

Risk assessment in disability support is grounded in the principles of prevention, accountability, and respect for individual needs. This course begins by explaining why risk assessment is critical, outlining the shared responsibilities of organisations, workers, and carers to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and implement controls. It also discusses the legal and regulatory context—including duty of care and organisational compliance obligations—that frames the process. The emphasis is on balancing safety with client autonomy and choice, ensuring that risk management supports, rather than restricts, meaningful participation.

Conducting a structured risk assessment requires a clear process. This section introduces the steps of risk identification, likelihood and impact assessment, implementing control measures, and ongoing monitoring. It highlights the importance of documentation and reporting for accountability and continuous improvement. Workers will learn how to apply these steps in client-centred ways that are practical, collaborative, and responsive to changing needs.

Clients with disability often face health and medical risks that require proactive management. This section covers risks such as pre-existing conditions, medication errors, allergies, and dependence on medical or assistive devices. It emphasises the importance of emergency plans, such as seizure management or allergy response, and the role of support workers in recognising signs of distress, responding quickly, and escalating concerns appropriately.

Daily living activities carry their own set of risks. This section explores risks linked to personal care, such as falls, unsafe manual handling, skin breakdown, poor nutrition, and inadequate oral care. Strategies for prevention and safe assistance are discussed, ensuring workers can provide support that is both safe and respectful of client dignity.

Behavioural and emotional risks require sensitivity and skill. This section addresses behaviours of concern, mental health issues, and emotional triggers that may cause unsafe behaviours. It also highlights the risks of restrictive practices and the importance of using positive behaviour support, trauma-informed care, and collaborative planning to minimise risks while supporting emotional wellbeing.

The environment plays a key role in client safety. This section examines physical risks in the home and community, such as trip hazards, unsafe bathrooms, poor lighting, and inaccessible spaces. It provides strategies for creating safe, accessible environments that reduce risks without compromising independence.

Communication and sensory risks are often overlooked but critical. This section explains how hearing loss, vision impairment, language barriers, and sensory sensitivities can affect safety. It also discusses the importance of providing assistive communication devices, adapting instructions, and ensuring safety information is understood.

Abuse and neglect are serious risks in disability support. This section outlines risks of physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse, as well as exploitation, coercion, and neglect. It reinforces the importance of safeguarding measures, respecting dignity and autonomy, and following mandatory reporting responsibilities.

Infection control and hygiene risks are essential to manage in both home and community settings. This section covers risks such as poor hygiene practices, open wounds, contagious illnesses, and unsafe food handling. It introduces infection prevention strategies, including correct PPE use, hand hygiene, and water or food safety procedures.

Social and community participation brings opportunities but also risks, including stigma, bullying, unsafe supervision, inaccessible venues, and isolation. This section examines strategies for safe and inclusive participation, balancing client independence with appropriate supervision and support.

Transportation risks are another key area, covering safe transfers, correct use of restraints, driver and vehicle safety, and public transport challenges. Emergency and disaster risks, including fire, floods, and power outages, are also addressed, highlighting the importance of tailored emergency plans for individuals with mobility, sensory, or cognitive limitations.

Organisational and care delivery risks can undermine safe support if not managed well. This section discusses the risks of poor planning, inadequate communication, untrained staff, and poor record-keeping. It highlights the need for strong governance, supervision, and consistent documentation.

The course concludes with practical tools for risk assessment, including checklists, monitoring strategies, and documentation practices. It emphasises the importance of evaluating controls, identifying emerging risks, and updating plans to ensure ongoing safety and continuous improvement. Accurate, timely reporting to supervisors, families, and regulatory bodies is reinforced as a cornerstone of accountability and quality service delivery.

By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with a comprehensive framework for identifying, assessing, and managing risks in disability support. They will be prepared to safeguard health and wellbeing while respecting autonomy, ensuring that risk management processes are client-centred, ethical, and compliant with both organisational and regulatory standards.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Risk Assessment in Disability Support

·       Importance of Risk Assessment in Disability Support

·       Principles of Risk Assessment in Disability Support Settings

·       Legal and Organisational Responsibilities

2. The Risk Assessment Process

·       Identifying hazards and risks

·       Assessing the likelihood and impact

·       Controlling and managing risks

·       Monitoring and reviewing strategies

·       Documenting and reporting actions

3. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Health and Medical Risks

• Pre-existing conditions.
• Medication risks.
• Allergies.
• Risks of choking, aspiration, or swallowing difficulties.
• Dependence on medical or assistive devices.
• Lack of an emergency medical plan.

4. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Personal Care and Daily Living Risks

• Falls during showering, toileting, dressing, or transfers.
• Unsafe manual handling or lifting techniques.
• Risk of pressure sores or skin breakdown from immobility.
• Malnutrition or dehydration due to feeding difficulties.
• Poor oral care leading to dental or infection risks.

5. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Behavioural and Emotional Risks

• Behaviours of concern.
• Triggers that may cause distress or unsafe behaviour.
• Mental health issues.
• Emotional distress linked to transitions, routines, or environmental change.
• Risk of misuse or overuse of restrictive practices.

6. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Environmental and Physical Risks

• Trip hazards.
• Unsafe bathrooms.
• Poor lighting, heating, or ventilation.
• Unsafe storage of chemicals, medicines, or sharp items.
• Inaccessible environments.

7. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Communication and Sensory Risks

• Hearing or vision loss impacting safety.
• Communication barriers.
• Lack of access to assistive communication devices.
• Sensory sensitivities that may cause distress.
• Misunderstanding instructions or safety warnings.

8. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Abuse Risks

• Risks of physical, sexual, financial, or emotional abuse.
• Neglect.
• Coercion, bullying, or exploitation.
• Lack of privacy, dignity, and autonomy.
• Risks associated with financial vulnerability or scams.

9. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Infection Control and Hygiene Risks

• Poor hygiene increasing risk of illness or infection.
• Open wounds or pressure injuries.
• Risk from contagious illnesses.
• Unsafe food storage, preparation, or handling.
• Inadequate infection control practices by staff or family.

10. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Social and Community Participation Risks

• Stigma, bullying, or discrimination in the community.
• Unsafe supervision during outings.
• Inaccessible transport or venues.
• Risk of social isolation and exclusion from activities.

11. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Transportation and Travel Risks

• Unsafe transfers in and out of vehicles.
• Incorrect use of wheelchair restraints, car seats, or seatbelts.
• Driver fatigue, lack of training, or unsafe vehicle conditions.
• Risks in public transport.

12. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Emergency and Disaster Risks

• Lack of tailored emergency plan.
• Barriers to exiting safely.
• Power outage risks.
• Lack of knowledge on how to seek help or call emergency services.

13. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Organisational and Care Delivery Risks

• Outdated or missing support and behaviour plans.
• Poor communication between workers, family, and providers.
• Untrained or inexperienced support staff.
• Lack of supervision or oversight.
• Inadequate record-keeping or reporting.

14. Disability Support Risk Assessment Checklist Template

15. Monitoring and reviewing strategies

·       Evaluating the Effectiveness of Risk Controls

·       Identifying Changes and Emerging Risks

·       Updating and Improving Risk Management Plans

16. Documenting and reporting actions

·       Importance of Accurate Record-Keeping

·       Recording Risk Management Actions and Outcomes

·       Reporting to Supervisors, Families, and Regulatory Bodies

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.