Dignity of Risk Framework for community aged care providers
This framework was developed by the National Sector Support and Development Dignity of Risk working group including representatives from: Adelaide Hills Council, Bellarine Community Health, City of Onkaparinga, Eastern Sector Development Team, Ethnic Community Services Co-operative, iLA Australia and West Gippsland Healthcare Group.
In 2025, the working group completed a series of stakeholder focus groups, sector-wide surveys, and an in-depth review of contemporary literature to explore how Dignity of Risk is understood, applied, and challenged across the community aged care setting.
The project identified that while the sector supports the philosophy of Dignity of Risk, practical constraints, from unclear documentation pathways to lack of staff confidence, prevent consistent practice. The findings underscored the need for sector-wide tools, training, leadership messaging, and cultural change to reframe Dignity of Risk not as a risk to avoid, but as a right to uphold.
This framework has been developed to provide a structured approach to support community aged care providers understand and embed Dignity of Risk.
It includes the following key elements:
The Dignity of Risk framework for community aged care providers
Step 1: Always start with the person
Step 2: Consider who needs to be involved
Step 3: Identify benefits and risks
Step 4: Communicate risk
Step 5: Explore options and agree on a plan
Step 6: Document and implement plan
Each step includes key considerations, practical steps and discussion question to support ongoing learning and implementation of Dignity of Risk systems and practices. It is designed
to be flexible, so that providers can implement the key elements within the context of their organisational context.
The framework is supported by a series of case studies that illustrate the Dignity of Risk framework in action.
Download the framework and view case studies via the links below.
