People who use adult social care services identify different risks to those commonly identified by professionals and policy-makers. Many fear losing independence, which suggests that risk assessments need to have independence as their starting point. There is a particular need to reach into mental health and residential care services to find ways of enabling people to realise their independence.

This paper:

• Gives voice to service users' fears and concerns about risk;
• Identifies additional risks to those commonly identified by professionals and policy-makers; and
• Explores how perceptions of risk and rights are significantly different for mental health service users.