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Stage 1: Identification of vulnerability

Stage 1: Identification of vulnerability

See CONVERSATION 1 for identification practice guidance.

For more information, please see our policy and procedure 

 

Assessing the risk

Whenever a vulnerability is recognised, we should work to identify any risks it may carry. To do so, we need to: 

  • Gather information to identify the source or sources of the risk  

  • Work to understand the urgency or seriousness of the risk 

  • Decide on what action needs to be taken to reduce risk 

  • Decide on who else needs to contribute and support decisions and actions  

Risk changes over time and often can be complex, with a range of intersecting causes and factors. It is often not possible to eliminate a risk completely. Risk is live; it can always reduce or increase.  

Services will have specific ways of assessing the urgency or seriousness of risk, depending on the need. However, some common considerations are:  

  • Has this happened often before? 

  • How likely is this to happen again? 

  • What is the impact, and who is affected?  

  • Is it getting worse? 

  • Does there need to be immediate action?

Depending on the urgency or seriousness of the risk, safeguarding action may be required, or emergency services may need to be called on 999 or 101.  

Last updated: 16 May 2025