Paris Conference Presentation 2018

The following was the abstract I submitted for the keynote presentation at the recent Mental Health Congress in Paris (9-11/7/18):

Positive Risk-Taking: From Rhetoric to Reality

Do we pay enough attention to the impact that the language we use has on the people we serve, and the ways in which we serve them? Our adherence to professional jargon more often serves to exclude and/or confuse other people. This is most notable in the language of risk, particularly where the negative connotations can often drive a blame culture and promote an unnecessary risk averse approach. Where is the person within such a picture?

Assessing and manging risk is an essential skill; but, so to is calculated and reasoned risk-taking. My concept of ‘Positive Risk-Taking’, initiated in 1994, brings the language of risk, strengths and person-centred outcomes together in a clear and sharp focus. As a concept, it is underpinned by the principles and practice of good risk assessment and management, applicable to all facets of mental health, wider health, and social care considerations.

The concept is focused on the outcomes, rather than solely being led by the risks. Taking risks for positive outcomesrequires a clear definition and description; but, it is also underpinned by the fully recognized components of mental health good practice… focused and contextualized risk assessment is counter-balanced by a full strengths assessment; supervision and support is complemented by teamwork and team-focused training. Collective decision-making enables balanced and reasoned risk-taking decisions to be made with confidence, and the identification of individual responsibilities for action to be outlined within a thoughtful plan.

Welcoming the audience to the presentation:

A partial link to what you missed!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Nmes1fRYvhkBTSLw0rXk8w7yuoxKdTkN

Fielding a question or two:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pytmlqXLHoxJc8KKu20wZOT49xjpaKoa

And sharing in the post presentation accolades (holiday snapshots time !!):

European Congress for Mental Health 2018

It's July, it's Paris, and it's Positive Risk-Taking, as I present a keynote speech on Day 1 of this 3-day Congress.

 

For the full event line-up click on the following link:

https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/3d685625-2937-44e5-aad5-3da07bdc2728 

A new way of doing things

We are in a digital age, so it is about time we got risk practice and training out of an analogue world. By this I don't mean more forms to be filling in, I am offering a new opportunity for how practitioners are supported in going about day-to-day best practice. The software packages for documenting and auditing information will remain, but I believe they do little for informing and guiding best practice, focusing as they do on documenting the administrative requirements of an organisation's approach to risk assessment.

We can now enable practitioners to access resources that will inform and guide their practice direct to smartphones, tablets or laptops. I have distilled my 30+ years of experience and 60+ publications into an online 'Positive Risk-Taking Membership Site'. Brief training videos, detailed presentations, audio podcasts, practice checklists, tools and handouts are structured into 5 modules, with an on-going wealth of bonus resources being constantly added. The modules can be worked through sequentially as training materials, or randomly dipped into for specific information. And instant access to a free training webinar introduces these resources by clicking the following link:

https://app.webinarjam.net/register/21360/99e6026a97  

Risk Decision-Making

Positive Risk-Taking: From Rhetoric to Reality.

You've heard the words, but do you know with clarity what they mean? Do you confidently put it into practice?

I solve these questions.

Practitioners, teams and organisations frequently engage with bureaucratic solutions to the practical challenges of identifying and managing risks; but spend less time on the realities of making good risk decisions and taking risks appropriately.

I provide a variety of training resources and solutions to meet these challenges. Check out my free training webinar at:

https://app.webinarjam.net/register/21360/99e6026a97