All posts by Steve Morgan

Occupational Therapist since 1986, Case Manager since 1990, Author since 1993, Consultancy since 2001. Launched a blog from 2013, a podcast in 2014, and YouTube videos from 2017.
A Strengths Approach, Positive Risk-Taking, Practice development, Working with Risk

Positive Risk-Taking: Module 5 ~ Risk Decision-Making

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Taking risks is essentially about making decisions. Module 5 ~ Risk Decision-Making explores the complex influences on our decision-making abilities and processes. Systems 1&2 thinking, intuition, and a structured approach to making reasoned decisions form the basis of the module. However, we also need to be aware of our own biases and the need for organisational support.

Module 5 ~ Introduction:

5.1 Risk Decision-Making:

5.2 Risk Decision-Making Quotes:

5.3 Systems 1&2 Thinking:

5.4 Intuition:

5.5 Irrational Habits & Biases:

5.6 A Structured Approach to Risk Decision-Making:

5.7 Decision-Maker Qualities:

5.8 Organisational Support:

5.9 Module summary comments:

A Strengths Approach, Positive Risk-Taking, Practice development, Working with Risk

Positive Risk-Taking: Module 4 ~ Working with Strengths

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The concept of Positive Risk-Taking is a creation emerging out of what I call a Strengths Approach. The success, or otherwise, in taking a risk will be significantly underpinned by our knowledge and application of strengths (wants, desires, talents, abilities, capabilities, motivations). Module 4 ~ Working with Strengths focuses on defining a strengths approach and its evidence base; practical application of specifically designed tools; and the importance of an organisational understanding of what the approach offers.

Module 4 ~ Introduction:

4.1 Working with Strengths:

4.2 What is a strengths approach?:

4.3 Historical Context & Evidence Base:

4.4 A Strengths Approach in Practice:

4.5 Strengths Tools & Teamwork:

4.6 Strengths and the Organisational Context:

4.7 Strengths & Recovery:

4.8 Module summary comments:

A Strengths Approach, Positive Risk-Taking, Practice development, Working with Risk

Positive Risk-Taking: Module 3 ~ Working with People

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Working with Risk critically involves Working with People… the focus of module 3 of this course. Engagement, collaboration, and person-centred practice are at the core of how we work with people. But, as with all aspects of risk, it’s easier said than done!

Module 3 ~ Introduction:

3.1 Working with People:

3.2 What is Person-Centred Working?:

3.3 Responsible practice:

3.4 Culture, race and risk:

3.5 Individual engagement:

3.6 Teamwork:

3.7 Module summary comments:

A Strengths Approach, Positive Risk-Taking, Practice development, Working with Risk

Positive Risk-Taking: Module 2 ~ Working with Risk

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The content of Module 2 – Working with Risk is essentially about the mechanics of assessing and managing risk. As with so many things, risk (or risk assessment as it’s loosely referred to) is a process, not an event. It involves the challenge of working with uncertainty. But it will benefit from developing a structured approach

Module 2 ~ Introduction:

2.1 Working with Risk:

2.2 A History of Risk & Uncertainty:

2.3 What is risk Assessment?:

2.4 Prioritising risk:

2.5 How to hinder good practice:

2.6 A structured approach to good practice:

2.7 Design for good practice:

2.8 Risk formulation:

2.9 Module summary comments:

A Strengths Approach, Positive Risk-Taking, Practice development, Working with Risk

Positive Risk-Taking: Module 1 ~ Developing a Risk Mindset

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Continuing on from the 5 module summaries across my Positive Risk-Taking online course. I now offer you the content from Module 1 ~ Developing a Risk Mindset.

The key messages are about striking a balance between the negativity of fear, blame, and risk aversion on the one side, with the constructive approach of positive risk-taking on the other.

I particularly draw your attention to my definition of positive risk-taking, as in my experience over many years it has been a misunderstood concept. As always, the devil is in the detail!

Module 1 ~ Introduction:

Module 1.1 ~ Developing a Risk Mindset:

Module 1.2 ~ Fear, Blame and Risk Aversion:

Module 1.3 ~ Reflective Quotes:

Module 1.4 ~ Principles into Practice:

Module 1.5 ~ What is Positive Risk-Taking?:

Module 1.6 ~ Summary Comments:

A Strengths Approach, Positive Risk-Taking, Practice development

The gift of retirement ~ Positive Risk-Taking Course

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2025 marked 31 years since I first created the concept of Positive Risk-Taking. It was founded within the broader context of Strengths-Based Practice.

2025 was also the year I finally chose the option of retirement. As much of my career was a gift to me, I can now present the module summaries and complete video/audio content of a 5-module course I developed in 2022 as a gift to you.

This course summarises much of what I thought to be important in creating and delivering best practice. It emerged out of working within and alongside UK mental health services, but I believe the content has much wider relevance and application.

Marketing was never my forte… so I’m hopeful that free access to these materials will reach a wider audience. Enjoy!

The following are the Module summaries (Video & Audio versions). In subsequent posts I intend to present the detailed content from each module.

Module 1 ~ Developing a Risk Mindset:

Module 2 ~ Working with Risk:

Module 3 ~ Working with People:

Module 4 ~ Working with Strengths:

Module 5 ~ Risk Decision Making:

A Strengths Approach, Positive Risk-Taking, Working with Risk

Making your best decision

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You make several decisions every day, some without much conscious thought. But, every once in a while you’re challenged to make a difficult decision… either in your work, or in life in general. So, how confident are you that you’re making the best decision you can in those circumstances?

I’ve been working in and alongside a range of health and social care services since the mid-1980’s, and I’ve been involved in a wide range of big decisions. The following link offers a training session on what I take into account when making those decisions myself, or supporting others to make their big decisions.

https://event.webinarjam.com/register/25/w0y8gaoo

Our narrow focus on risk assessment and risk management may be deflecting us away from what is THE core skill… confident and reasoned risk decision-making. I’ve published the books and manuals on the subject over many years, but now I’m creating that information in a more easily accessible digital format. What have you got to lose… apart from a short amount of your valuable time? Click on the following link to get instant access to a FREE training webinar outlining my 5 simple steps to making better decisions:

https://event.webinarjam.com/register/25/w0y8gaoo

This takes my original concept of positive risk-taking and puts it into practical use.

A Strengths Approach, Positive Risk-Taking, Practice development

Tugging on your coat about something!

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I know you’re a busy person, after all, that’s why I’m coming to you with a free offer for developing your thinking and your practice a little bit further. “If you want something doing ask a busy person”, right?

We all take risks in our lives… the questions we should occasionally address are ‘the why’ and ‘the how’!

I presented a series of webinars back in February 2022 on these very questions. I’m now taking a few moments out of the practice development work that emerged out of those webinars to plan a new programme of webinar presentations.

Click on the following link to at least register your interest in hearing more as these plans evolve. What have you got to lose… apart from a few minutes out from your busy time, which might just contribute later to some better focus and management of that busy time!

https://positiverisktaking.lpages.co/pr-t-webinar-registration/

Best wishes,

Steve

A Strengths Approach

Strengths as the ultimate Resources

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What do you think when the topic of strengths-based practice is raised? Is it something that you will devote some quality time to when other priorities have been sorted out? I hope not!

When we are working with those challenges, trying to manage a few of life’s difficulties, or finding ways to manage or take risks… a Strengths Approach is the critical way forward.

If you’re interested to learn more check out the following link for a Strengths Checklist, which could also be your first step towards connecting with my wider range of resources specifically focused on ‘strengths’, but also seeing strengths-based practice as the ultimate way of underpinning our confidence in my concept of ‘positive risk-taking’.

https://positiverisktaking.lpages.co/working-with-strengths/

A Strengths Approach, Positive Risk-Taking, Practice development, Working with Risk

6 Influences on Making Better Risk Decisions

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20 years of consultancy, including working with a small caseload of brain injury case management clients, is a milestone to note. So, I’m currently enrolled on Amy Porterfield’s Digital Course Academy, with the intention of developing a new digital course targeted specifically for busy practitioners in healthcare and brain injury fields of work.

The focus will be on supporting people to make those challenging risk decisions with greater confidence. Access the following link for a FREE report

https://positiverisktaking.lpages.co/making-better-risk-decisions

I can’t banish the endless need for bureaucratic tick-box approaches to risk assessment. However, I can help people by providing non-bureaucratic guidance that helps in the moment of decision-making. The report outlines some of the influences that we should all be aware of. The course (in development) will provide much more detailed guidance, emerging out of my decades of experience, including the initiaiting of the concept of Positive Risk-Taking back in 1994.