Abstract

Assessing risk is a key challenge in child protection work. Martin C. Calder presents a clear and accessible guide to understanding risk and the part it plays.

This book considers what risk means and how risk assessments should be defined, it outlines the key challenges practitioners face day-to-day, and offers a helpful evidence-based assessment framework for use by frontline staff. Calder argues that risk now has to be reconceived as a multi-disciplinary activity which stretches beyond social work. As such, he highlights a need for a clearer shared terminology among professionals and encourages the social work profession to look to related disciplines, such as criminal justice, for ideas to improve practice.

Demystifying the complex debates around risk and showing how to deliver effective risk assessment, this is an essential reference for social workers and social work students, as well as lecturers.

Risk is a core concept for professionals working with vulnerable children and their families. However, being able to assess risk and use this assessment to inform sound interventions is a complex task. This book provides an excellent resource for practitioners, explicitly linking theory and research with very practical guidance and advice - a rare achievement. Written in an accessible and engaging manner this book is to be commended for its usefulness.
John Devaney, Research Director, Queen’s University Belfast

Martin C. Calder is Director of Calder Training and Consultancy Limited, which he established in 2005, having managed the child protection and domestic violence services for Salford. Martin trains extensively on frontline assessment issues and also where the practical becomes political. He continues to be driven to develop and deliver a range of evidence-based assessment tools for frontline staff. He is now involved in addressing issues facing frontline managers dealing with ever increasingly complex cases. Further details on his work and remit are available at www.caldertrainingandconsultancy.co.uk.
Julie Archer has been a social worker since 1987 and has spent her career working within child protection, both at grass roots and as a manager. Since 2006 Julie has been an independent trainer specialising in training staff to carry out effective section 47 enquiries and supporting managers in developing and embedding reflective supervision within social care.

This book is very much written for the practitioner and the difficulties we face when dealing with the assessment and management of risk. The author highlights a wide array of models and theories that are easily adaptable to everyday use and will increase practitioners' abilities to make robust and sound judgments in regards to risk. For someone who makes decisions regarding risk on a day to day basis, this book is a valuable tool and an excellent reference for anyone working in the child protection field.
Darren Shaw , Independent Social Worker and Interim Manager, DWS Social Work Solutions Ltd