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Risk Portal

On this page you will find the content of the Risk Portal; previously hosted by the Cabinet Office. The structure of the Risk Portal has been retained for the benefit of regular users. It contains a selection of guidance on risk assessment, along with general policy and regulatory guidance, categorised into three sections:

I. General Guidance on Policy and Risk Assessment

The assessment of risk is an essential part of good policy making. This section provides links to central and sectoral guidance on risk assessment and policy appraisal. It includes general guidance on policy making and regulations as well as specific guidance on managing risks relating to civil and overseas contingencies.

II. Corporate Governance

This page relates to internal control. The principle of "Corporate Governance" requires that the risk and control structure embedded into the organisation is monitored and reviewed by management. This section provides links to general guidance on setting organisational objectives (PSA&SDA targets), statements of internal control, audit and accountability as well as specific guidance relating to public finance initiatives (now replaced by public private partnerships) and IT projects.

III. Scientific Uncertainty

Many policy and regulatory decisions, cutting across departmental boundaries, are concerned with the management of risks to public health and safety, and the environment. Assessing risks involves identifying hazards or situations, which can lead to harm or detriment, and estimating the probability or likelihood that the harm will occur, usually with a specific population in mind. This section provides links to general as well as sectoral guidance on the assessment and management of risks due to scientific uncertainty.

Note that the links provided on each page are categorised into influences, central and sectoral guidance and operational risk management. These categories are explained below:

Influences: Links under this heading are to important sources of influence on current standards of risk management in government and include international standards, treaty obligations, and official reports.

Central Guidance: This category contains links to central guidance, which is applicable across departments and sectors. For example, it includes Treasury guidance on appraisals and evaluations and Cabinet Office Guidance on Regulatory Impact assessments.

Intermediate and Sectoral Guidance: Links in this category are to guidance relating to specific areas or sectors. For example, PFI guidance and guidance on environmental risk management will fall in this category.

Operational Risk Management: This last heading contains links to sites related to risk management in practice within government. For example, departmental risk frameworks and statements of internal control fall into this category.

Policy and Risk Assessment

Influences	Central Guidance	Intermediate/ sectoral guidance	Operational risk management
Modernising Government White Paper	General guidance on policy making (Cabinet Office: CMPS, RIU)	Risk management in the Health area	Central Government departments and agencies (Departmental risk frameworks)
The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit	Innovation and joined up government (Cabinet Office: CMPS, Secretariats)	Modernising Government Action Plan
International and treaty obligations, EU directives, etc	Civil contingencies: risk assessment and management (Home Office, Cabinet Office: EDS and CCS)	Risk communication and co-ordination of information (ILGRA; CMPS; GICS)
	Overseas contingencies: risk assessment and management (ECGD, DFID, Cabinet Office: DOAS & JIC)
	General guidance on regulation

Corporate Governance

Influences	Central Guidance	Intermediate/ sectoral guidance	Operational risk management
International Corporate Governance Standards	Setting & agreeing objectives: the PSA & SDA process	PFI guidance notes	Public Bodies´ Statements of Internal Control
Accounting Standards Board	General Guidance on Internal Control	Risk management in IT projects
Turnbull report	The Green Book: General guidance on appraisal, evaluation and risk assessment techniques and practice	Risk management in DCMS sponsored bodies
	Guidance on audit/accountability

Scientific Uncertainty

Influences	Central Guidance	Intermediate/ sectoral guidance	Operational risk management
EU Communications	Oversight and co-ordination of scientific advice	Guidance on clinical health issues	Land use planning
Research		Local Authority Fora	Local Authorities
		Building Regulations DTLR	H & S in factories: field operations directotate
		Scientific Advisory Committees	Railways, Nuclear Safety and Hazardous Installations
		Guidance on Environmental Risk Management	Fire Services Pamphlet: Getting the Measure of Risk

Risk Support Homepage