Recovery versus risk? From managing risk to the co-production of safety and opportunity

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a recovery-focused approach to risk and safety and what this might look like in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of recovery approaches and the ways in which traditional approaches to risk might hinder people in their recovery journey. Consideration of the principles of a recovery-focused approach to safety.

Findings

A recovery-focused approach to risk based on co-produced safety plans that enable people to do the things they value as safely as possible and shared responsibility for safety. Four key principles of a recovery-focused approach to promoting safety, autonomy and opportunity are proposed.

Originality/value

A recovery-focused approach to risk and safety is central to the development of recovery-focused practice within services. This paper outlines such an approach.

Citation

Perkins, R. and Repper, J. (2016), "Recovery versus risk? From managing risk to the co-production of safety and opportunity", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 20 No. 2, pp. 101-109. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-08-2015-0029