Dignity of Risk and Positive Risk-Taking Policy Template

Supports residents' right to make informed decisions about risk, balancing personal autonomy with duty of care, in line with Royal Commission recommendations and the Charter of Aged Care Rights.

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Dignity of Risk and Positive Risk-Taking Policy Template

Empower residents to make meaningful choices — including risky ones — while maintaining your duty of care obligations and ACQSC compliance.

Overview

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified over-restriction and paternalistic care as systemic failures in the sector. The principle of "dignity of risk" recognises that every person has the right to take reasonable risks as part of living a full life. This policy template provides a structured framework for balancing resident autonomy against safety obligations, supporting person-centred care that respects individual choice.

What This Policy Covers

Definition of dignity of risk and positive risk-taking
Resident rights under the Charter of Aged Care Rights
Risk assessment process for individual resident decisions
Informed consent documentation for risky activities
Process for involving family/carers in risk conversations
Distinguishing dignity of risk from neglect or duty of care failure
Staff training requirements on rights-based approaches
Review and monitoring of risk agreements

Compliance Alignment

Charter of Aged Care Rights 2019
Aged Care Quality Standard 1 – Consumer Dignity and Choice
Aged Care Quality Standard 2 – Ongoing Assessment and Planning
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety – Final Report Recommendations
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Why This Policy Matters

ACQSC assessors actively look for evidence that providers support resident choice — including choices the facility may find inconvenient. Without a Dignity of Risk policy, facilities risk being found non-compliant with Standard 1 and the Charter of Aged Care Rights. This policy also protects staff by providing a documented, approved framework for supporting resident choices that carry some risk.

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