In a recent conversation with a customer, we were directed to the above concerning extract which reflects significant safeguarding and management shortcomings, but they also highlight areas where digital tools like Lief can make a measurable difference. At Lief, we are committed to helping care providers build a robust, proactive culture around risk management — one that’s evidence-led, transparent, and aligned with regulatory expectations.
This blog explores how you can use Lief to strengthen your approach to risk assessment and management and confidently evidence this to Ofsted.
Laying the Foundations: Inputs That Matter
A Clear, Up-to-Date Risk Assessment Policy
A well-defined policy is the cornerstone of effective risk management. It should clearly state that assessments are updated at regular intervals — monthly or every three months — and revised immediately following incidents or emerging risks.
Using Lief: Upload your risk policy to the Compliance and Policy Documents section. Lief automatically records upload and modification dates, creating a transparent audit trail.
Provision for Staff Training on Risk Management
All staff should receive structured training on identifying, documenting, and managing risks.
Using Lief: Lief’s Training Matrix enables you to track staff participation and completion of relevant training courses, including risk assessment and Management.
Policy for Regular Staff Supervision and Appraisals with Risk Focus
Policy for regular supervision and appraisals, including focus on risk management issues regularly during staff supervision and appraisals.
Using Lief:
- Upload your Staff Handbook, including supervision protocols, to the Compliance section.
- Record supervision sessions directly within staff profiles, with notes indicating discussions around risk.
Policy for regular management audits
A clear policy on management audits including monthly audits and six monthly audits as required by regulations (Reg 45 – Children’s home and Reg 32 – Supported Accommodation)
Demonstrating Best Practice: Outputs That Speak for Themselves
Staff Understanding of the Risk Policy
Using Lief: Track the number of staff who have acknowledged and read the risk assessment policy using Lief’s compliance tracker.
Staff Completion of Risk Training
Using Lief: Monitor training compliance on risk assessment and management training via the Training Matrix,
Individual Risk Assessments for Young People
Using Lief:
- Complete risk assessment and management plans for each child and young person using evidence based, structured templates in Lief.
- View each young person’s active risk assessment plan.
- Track the completion and updation rates for risk assessment and management plans for children and young people.
- Review the update history to ensure revisions align with your internal policy.
Risk Plans That Reflect All Known Risks
Using Lief:
- Upload six-monthly Regulation 45 (children’s homes) or Regulation 32 (supported accommodation) audits, showing leadership oversight.
- In the next few weeks, you will be able to complete and generate these audits directly within Lief, powered by real-time data from your service.
Incident-Linked Plan Updates
Using Lief:
- Log incidents for each young person, ensuring documentation is thorough and prompt.
- Managers can review each incident, providing a clear record of accountability and learning.
- Link follow-up actions to update the risk assessment and management plans
Risk Discussions Embedded in Supervision
Using Lief: Staff supervision notes can include references to risk discussions, ensuring a culture of continuous reflection and proactive response.
The Impact: Outcomes That Matter
Young People Feel Safe
Lief’s Views, Complaints and Feedback section includes a satisfaction survey for young people, with questions like “I feel safe and secure where I live and in my wider environment.” Positive feedback offers direct evidence of impact.
Staff Confidence in Risk Management
Confidence grows through clarity and support. Training records and supervision logs provide strong indicators of staff development. Staff feedback captured through Lief can further illustrate their confidence and support in managing risk.
Fewer Incidents
The ability to track incident rates over time allows services to identify trends, reduce recurrence, and demonstrate improvement.
Effective Response to Emerging Risks
Lief creates a full chain of evidence — from incident logging and managerial review to risk plan updates and team-wide learning — showcasing a comprehensive and responsive approach.
Risk management isn’t just about paperwork — it’s about ensuring the safety, stability, and well-being of the children and young people in your care and equipping your staff with the tools they need to respond effectively. With Lief, providers can build a strong foundation for compliance while delivering meaningful, measurable outcomes for children and young people.
If you’re preparing for an inspection or simply want to strengthen your internal processes, get in touch. We’d be happy to walk you through how Lief can support your team.
