Categories Of Risk

Volunteer Development Agency Small LogoCategories Of Risk

The risks faced by an organisation should be categorised in relation to what the organisation does.  There are a number of commonly used categories which help to group risks according to the various aspects of the organisation and its activities which you need to consider.

The following is a list of frequently used categories:

  • Strategic
  • Operational
  • Financial
  • People
  • Regulatory
  • Governance

Strategic

This allows you to look at external risks, which may affect your organisation such as changes in the environment in which you operate. It also lets you look at setting organisational objectives and ensuring you set the right ones and then meet them.

Operational

This looks at the risks, which arise from the services you deliver or the activities you carry out.

Financial

This covers financial risks facing the organisation in terms of internal systems, planning, funding etc.

People

Review risks associated with both the employment of staff and the involvement of volunteers.

Regulatory

This category looks at the legislative framework within which your organisation operates.

Governance

This category allows you to review the risks, which are part of the management of the organisation.

There may be a degree of overlap between some of these categories, they are suggested in order to help ensure that you do not overlook important risks. Try to put each risk in the category, which is most relevant. Some organisations may find they can amalgamate some of these categories and some may find they need extra ones.

Further Reading on Risk Management

ACOVO – Guide to RISK Management

NCVO – Managing Risk: Guidelines for Medium Sized Organisations

Volunteering Australia - Running the Risk

Charity Commission – Charities and Risk Management

Health and Safety Executive

Volunteer Development Agency

Child Protection, Our Duty to Care – gives details of practice which minimises risk of harm to children.

Volunteer Management Information, As Good as They Give, Book 5 - Volunteers and the Wider Organisation, pgs 11 -16

NICVA – Member Services Advice Note 13: Risk Assessment

NICVA – Member Services Advice Note 12: Insurance

NICVA also offers short training sessions on Limiting liability and risk assessment and Setting up a company limited by guarantee

Wales Council for Voluntary Action – The Safer Volunteering Guidebook


Email to a Friend

View All News
Volunteer Development Agency
DIY Committee Guide 2005. Please view our copyright statement.
Telephone: 028 9023 6100 | Email: info@volunteering-ni.org

NICVA | 61 Duncairn Gardens | Belfast | BT15 2GB
Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action is registered as a company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland (No 1792) and is registered as a charity for tax purposes with the Inland Revenue