Why Risk Management Matters: Protecting Support Workers and Participants Alike

At Holistic Support Services, safety isn't just a policy—it's a shared commitment. Every day, our support workers navigate a range of environments, tasks, and relationships, each with their own potential risks. Understanding and managing these risks is essential to providing high-quality, person-centred support.

What Is Risk?

Risk is the potential for loss, harm, or negative outcomes. In the context of disability support, it can include physical injury, emotional stress, professional boundaries, or miscommunication. But risk doesn’t always mean danger—it simply highlights the importance of planning, awareness, and proactive care.

Common Risks in Disability Support Work

Support workers often encounter a variety of risks, including:

• Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) risks: such as lifting injuries, exposure to infection, or unsafe environments.

• Emotional and psychological risks: including burnout or compassion fatigue from ongoing emotional demands.

• Professional risks: such as crossing boundaries or stepping outside one's scope of practice.

• Community safety risks: like unfamiliar locations, transportation issues, or emergencies during outings.

• Communication and coordination risks: including miscommunication with participants or cultural and language barriers.

Identifying and Responding to Risk

Managing risk starts with awareness. Support workers are encouraged to:

• Review care plans regularly

• Understand the physical environment they’re working in

• Maintain open communication with participants and their families

• Follow organisational procedures and safe work practices

• Report hazards, incidents, or near misses promptly

For example, a participant who experiences anxiety in crowded spaces may need alternative transport arrangements. Or, if a participant forgets to turn off the stove, the support plan might include regular kitchen safety checks. These small actions can prevent bigger problems.

Tailoring Support to Reduce Risk

Every participant is unique—and so are the risks involved in their care. That’s why it’s important to personalise risk strategies based on:

• Health and medical needs

• Personal safety and mobility

• Behavioural concerns

• Communication preferences

• Environmental factors

• Continuity of care

By prioritising both probability and impact, support workers can make informed decisions and implement measures that keep everyone safe.

Building a Safer Support Environment

Risk management isn’t about fear—it’s about foresight. When we approach our work with clarity and caution, we create a safer, more empowering environment for everyone. It's part of our commitment to providing support that’s not only effective, but also caring, respectful, and reliable.

At Holistic Support Services, we ensure our team is confident and capable by equipping them with the right knowledge, tools, and ongoing guidance to recognise and respond to risks. Because when our workers feel prepared, our participants feel safer—and that’s what truly matters.