Risk Management and Risk Reduction can sometimes be abstract, and sometimes very in-your-face.
According to recently released data, children apprehended by the Alberta Government are almost twice as likely to die as children in the general population. While this is almost certainly an at-risk group with higher risks than the general population, two times does seem like a big number.
There are a range of issues at play which are factors, including contracting out, a new outcomes based service delivery model, case load levels, high turnover, staff empowerment issues, staff training and levels of paperwork which seem high and may interfere with front-line service delivery. The list, however, is typical of complex situations – most agencies exist to address complex challenges.
(1) One key activity in risk management work is to set “expected thresholds” for key risks tied to reasonable metrics. (For instance, based on the rate of deaths in the general population.) And then to measure, and act on the data to improve it. Ongoing measurement and regular reporting are key as permanent features of vigilance and oversight.
(2) Without judging this specific situation, the goals of an organization in being on top of their risks are 1) to avoid bad outcomes, and 2) to be on top of managing the situation when bad outcomes occur anyways.