Assessment of risk is an important way to ensure your RLG is prepared for events in advance.  They ensure you can prevent or identify safeguarding concerns early and fully enhance any protection work already in place.  Safeguarding Risk Assessments for the RLG as a whole are separate from Care and Management Plans for individuals and they should be bespoke to the particular ministries and activities your Religious and volunteers are undertaking. 

Questions that you could be asking include:

•Who, within your RLG is most at risk of abuse and by whom – consider staff, volunteers and users separately

•Are there any particular groups at risk

•How can risks be addressed/reduced/mitigated

•Who should take the responsibility for addressing each particular risk

•What are the pre-emptive/pro-active safeguarding actions required

•What are the reactive safeguarding actions required

Sample Risk Assessment Templates

Risk Assessment templates are available from the RLSS. Below are some examples of the types of Safeguarding Risk Assessments you might want to carry out for day-to-day activities:

The Risk Assessment should be reviewed regularly and the dates of the reviews recorded.

The Charity’s Commission’s website includes guidance on Risk Management in relation to Safeguarding:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-for-charities-and-trustees#identify-and-manage-risks

RLSS will be able to help and advise with the writing of Risk Assessments.