For many children and young people taking risks is a part of everyday life. However, children and young people with a disability or mental health illness, for example, are not always encouraged to take risks. This might be because of their perceived limitations or fear that they or others might be harmed. The same applies for vulnerable children and young people. There are concerns that they do not know about or understand the dangers involved and should not be encouraged to take risks.
Changes in society’s attitude towards disability, social care and health issues means that children and young people are being encouraged to increase their independence in their daily activities and decisions about the services they receive. The focus is now more on enhancing children and young people's abilities rather than concentrating on their disabilities and the things they cannot do.
I lawer o blant a phobl ifanc, mae cymryd risgiau yn rhan o fywyd bob dydd. Fodd bynnag, ni chaiff unigolion ag anabledd neu salwch meddwl, neu unigolion hŷn er enghraifft, eu hannog i gymryd risgiau bob amser. Gallai hyn fod oherwydd eu cyfyngiadau canfyddedig, neu oherwydd ofn y gallen nhw neu bobl eraill gael niwed. Mae hyn yn berthnasol hefyd i blant a phobl ifanc sy’n agored i niwed. Mae’n bryder nad ydynt yn ymwybodol neu ddeall y peryglon ac na ddylent gael eu hannog i gymryd risgiau.
Mae newidiadau yn agwedd cymdeithas tuag at anabledd, gofal cymdeithasol a phroblemau iechyd bellach yn golygu bod unigolion yn cael eu hannog i fod yn fwy annibynnol yn eu gweithgareddau bob dydd ac mewn penderfyniadau ynglŷn â'r gwasanaethau a ddarperir iddynt. Rhoddir mwy o ffocws bellach ar wella galluoedd unigolion yn hytrach na chanolbwyntio ar eu hanableddau a'r pethau na allant eu gwneud.
Risk can be minimised by the support of others, but, in promoting independence, responsibility for taking risks must be a balance between safeguarding a child or young person from harm and enabling them to lead a more independent life where they effectively manage risks themselves. A balance has to be achieved between the stage of development and life experiences and wishes of children and young individuals to do everyday activities in line with the duty of care of services, and the legal duties of statutory services.
As well as considering the dangers associated with risk, the potential benefits of risk-taking have to be identified. This should involve everyone affected, children and young individuals accessing services, their families and carers.
Gellir lleihau risg drwy gael cymorth gan bobl eraill ond, wrth hybu annibyniaeth, rhaid i gyfrifoldeb unigolion dros gymryd risgiau daro cydbwysedd rhwng diogelu unigolyn rhag niwed a'i alluogi i fyw bywyd mwy annibynnol lle y bydd yn rheoli risgiau ar ei ben ei hun. Rhaid taro cydbwysedd rhwng dymuniadau plant a phobl ifanc i wneud gweithgareddau bob dydd, dyletswydd gofal gwasanaethau i unigolion sy'n eu defnyddio, a dyletswyddau cyfreithiol gwasanaethau statudol.
Yn ogystal â meddwl am y peryglon sy'n gysylltiedig â risg, rhaid nodi manteision cymryd risgiau. Dylai hyn gynnwys pawb yr effeithir arnynt, plant a phobl ifanc sy'n defnyddio gwasanaethau, eu teuluoedd a'u gofalwyr.
Using the risk assessment form that you have developed, carry out a short risk assessment of a hazard you have identified in your workplace, or out in the community. Record your findings.
Gan ddefnyddio'r asesiad risg a luniwyd gennych, cynhaliwch asesiad risg byr o berygl a nodir gennych yn eich gweithle neu yn y gymuned. Cofnodwch eich canfyddiadau.