Assessment, Risk and Decision Making: An Introduction

This book is designed for students on qualifying social work courses, and focuses on the essential social work skills of undertaking assessments and making decisions in a context of risk and uncertainty. The book outlines a framework for this challenging aspect of practice, and considers key dimensions such as involving clients, use of assessment tools and collaboration with other professionals and decision systems such as case conferences and courts. Particular attention is given to analysing knowledge within assessment and forming a professional judgement. Underpinning legal and ethical issues are addressed for social workers involved in safeguarding and service eligibility decision making. A final chapter focuses on the development of professional skills in the increasingly important area of assessment, risk and decision making.