Lesson 6 of 8 · Safety and rights · 14 min
Safety, consent and escalation
Learning objective
Recognise common safety concerns, respect consent and decision-making, and document and escalate clearly.
Safety and dignity belong together. This lesson looks at how to think about risk for each person, how consent and decision-making work, and how clear documentation and escalation protect everyone. It gives general education only. Your workplace policies and the law in your state or territory always apply.
Risk is individual, not blanket
Every person's risks are different. Individual risk assessment looks at what matters to the person as well as what could go wrong, so protection does not become control. Many risks can be reduced through the environment and routine, without limiting a person's choices.
- Falls and mobility.
- Walking with purpose and the risk of getting lost.
- Swallowing concerns or difficulty eating and drinking. Report these promptly.
- Medication concerns. Report to the appropriate person and never adjust medicines yourself.
- Driving, money and possible financial abuse.
- Neglect and abuse, and hazards in the environment.
Consent and decision-making support
Consent is ongoing and can be given, refused or withdrawn. Explain what you plan to do, in a way the person can follow, and respect a clear 'no' or a sign of discomfort.
Capacity is about a specific decision at a specific time. It must not be assumed to be absent only because someone has a diagnosis. People are often able to make many decisions with the right support. Rules about substitute decision-makers vary by state and territory, so follow your organisation's policy and seek guidance.
- Explain, ask and wait for a response, every time.
- Support the person to make decisions in a way that suits them.
- Do not assume capacity is lost because of a diagnosis.
- Follow your policy about who can make decisions when a person cannot.
Documenting, escalating and emergencies
Clear notes protect the person and the team. Write what you saw, heard and did, with times, and avoid opinions or labels. If you are unsure, escalate. Reporting requirements for incidents and suspected abuse differ by service type and location and can change, so follow your organisation's current policy.
In an emergency, such as choking, an unresponsive person, chest pain, a sudden change or a serious injury, follow your emergency procedures and call 000.
- Record times, observations and actions in plain, objective words.
- Escalate uncertainty. It is better to ask than to assume.
- Know your workplace escalation and emergency processes.
- For urgent safety concerns, contact emergency services or the relevant clinical team.
Key practice points
- Ask what matters to the person before deciding what is safe.
- Treat consent as something you seek each time.
- Do not assume a diagnosis means a person cannot decide.
- Write objective, time-based notes, and escalate when unsure.
Scenario
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Reflect
Two short prompts. Your answers are private to you and are not marked.
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Knowledge check
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Apply this at work
Read your workplace policy on incident reporting and escalation, and note who you would contact first for a concern about safety, swallowing, medication or possible abuse.
Finish this lesson
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