Risk Management is a "must do" for Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres. But what is risk? And how do you manage it?

There are four simple steps to follow in assessing risk.

1. What are the risks?
2. How do they impact on the Neighbourhood House or Learning Centre?
3. How can they be prevented or controlled?
4. How can you monitor and review them?

Applying these four steps to every operational area of your Neighbourhood House or Learning Centre will provide an insight into the risks that need to be managed and how you can manage them. Involve as many stakeholders as you can in assessing risk to obtain a range of perspectives and develop documentation to record the Risk Management process that suits your Neighbourhood House or Learning Centre.

Based on this you can then formulate risk checklists and carry out regular hazard identification checks. Label your checklists with core headings, such as ‘carpark'. In this example you would put things in your checklist such as:

• Directional flow of traffic
• Parking spaces clearly marked
• Car park area maintained shrubs and trees maintained
• Access to Neighbourhood House or Learning Centre maintained

Consider the floor plan of your Neighbourhood House or Learning Centre to help identify areas where risk may arise.

Risk Management is primarily about assisting you in reducing the risk of an incident in your Neighbourhood House or Learning Centre but it can also be helpful in assessing future opportunities. For example, it should be considered when an opportunity arises to put a new program in place. What are the risks involved in the program? How should your Neighbourhood House or Learning Centre manage them? Can you go ahead safely with the program?

You'll discover there are many ways risk can be managed and minimised. For some risks you'll need insurance cover. Guild Insurance provides a range of policies to meet the needs of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres. You can discuss your insurance cover with a Guild Business Manager by calling Guild's Freecall number 1800 810 213.

Guild Insurance Limited AFSL No. 233791. This information is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute the provision of advice