Quality, risk and governance: social workers' perspectives

Taylor, Brian J.; Campbell, Barbara

doi:10.1108/17479881111194152

Cited by 38 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 53 publications

(50 reference statements)

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“…The assessment of risk has become prolific activity (Helmus & Babchishin, 2017) in the criminal justice system. More broadly, issues of risk assessment and risk management have become critical in all areas of social work practice (Taylor, 2006;Taylor & Campbell, 2011;Whittaker & Havard, 2016). Many areas of social work share the same objective of identifying 'high-risk' cases through assessment and managing these to reduce potential risk (Carson & Bain, 2008;Fengler & Taylor, 2019).…”

Section: The Development Of Assessment Of Re-offending In Criminal Jumentioning

confidence: 99%

Professional judgement about re-offending: Factorial survey

Mullineux

Taylor

Giles

2019

Journal of Social Work

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Summary Social workers in criminal justice provide reports to courts, including assessments of the likelihood of re-offending, which are used to assist in judicial decisions. This study used a factorial survey with 93 social workers employed as probation officers to measure factors influencing their judgement of the risk of re-offending. Findings Analysis using regression and analysis of variance showed that judgements about the likelihood of re-offending were influenced by dynamic factors (such as substance misuse, support networks, level of responsibility taken for offending behaviour and cooperation with probation supervision) as well as more widely tested static risk factors (such as previous convictions and age). Application This study highlights a range of dynamic factors that might inform review of criminal justice social work assessment tools which typically incorporate the better-tested static factors. The findings will contribute to current thinking in social work education which is starting to address issues of risk and decision making more explicitly in the curriculum at both qualifying and post-qualifying stages. The more nuanced assessment of factors considered by experienced criminal justice social workers will complement the evidence from more strongly evidenced static risk factors to inform teaching about professional judgements. As we seek to incorporate statistical knowledge into the human processes of social work assessment, Brunskwik’s Lens Model and other psycho-social rationality models – which bridge between analytic and descriptive models of human judgement – may be useful conceptualisations of the professional judgement process in social work.

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Section: The Development Of Assessment Of Re-offending In Criminal Jumentioning

confidence: 99%

Professional judgement about re-offending: Factorial survey

Mullineux

Taylor

Giles

2019

Journal of Social Work

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“…This case-file survey examines suicidal ideation and behaviour among young people leaving care in a region of Northern Ireland. A better understanding of such risks should assist in the development of robust decision-making in child welfare services (Duffy, Taylor, & McCall, 2006;Taylor, 2013) and in the development of more robust professional risk management approaches (Taylor & Campbell, 2012).…”

Section: Young People Leaving Carementioning

confidence: 99%

Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour among Young People Leaving Care: Case-file Survey

Hamilton¹,

Taylor²,

Killick³

et al. 2015

Child Care in Practice

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Self-harming and suicide amongst adolescents are reported to be increasing in Europe and internationally. For young people in state care, this aspect of mental well-being is of particular concern. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of suicidal ideation and behaviour amongst young people (age 16-21 years) leaving state care in one health and social care trust in Northern Ireland, and to explore the correlation between this and client risk factors that might inform professional practice. Data were gathered from 164 case files of the total 215 (response rate 76%) in relation to all open cases as of 30 April 2012 extracted by the relevant social workers through the use of a standard data collection tool. Twenty-seven per cent of young people known to the 16+ Teams engaged in self-harm or suicidal behaviour. There was a strong correlation between the number of self-harm incidents and the number of suicide attempts. The risk factors identified were consistent with the research base: "male", "unemployed", "alcohol and drug misuse", "adverse childhood experiences", "higher number of placement moves" "placement type" and "older age when entering care". Young people in more isolated placements seemed particularly at risk. The results of this study are of particular relevance to social workers and other professionals working with young people leaving state care.

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“…The concept of “enablement” includes some balance of potential benefits from taking risks against possible harm (Taylor, ). Effective risk management requires clear risk communication, not least with the development of clinical and social care governance (Taylor & Campbell, ) and respect for client choice.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Communicating risk in dementia care: Survey of health and social care professionals

Taylor

Stevenson

McDowell³

2017

Health Soc Care Community

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Supporting people to live at home in line with community care policies requires increasing attention to assessing, communicating and managing risks. There is a challenge in supporting client choices that include risk-taking while demonstrating professional accountability. Risk communication becomes increasingly important with the need to engage clients and families in meaningful shared decision-making. This presents particular challenges in dementia services. This survey of risk communication in dementia care was administered to all health and social care professionals in community dementia services in Northern Ireland: June-September 2016. Of 270 professionals, 70 questionnaires were fully completed, with 55 partial completions. Scores on the Berlin Numeracy Test plus Schwartz items was low-moderate (mean 2.79 out of 7). This study did not find a significant association between numeracy and accurate perceptions of risk likelihoods in practice-based scenarios. Although 86% reported using numeric information in practice (mostly from assessment tools), respondents rarely communicated themselves using numbers. As in other domains, participants' responses were widely variable on numeric estimates of verbal terms for likelihood. In relation to medication side effects, few participants provided responses that were concordant with those in the guidance of the European Union. The risks most commonly encountered in practice were (in rank order): falls, depression, poor personal hygiene, medicines mismanagement, leaving home unsupervised, financial mismanagement, malnutrition, swallowing difficulties, abuse from others, risks to others, home appliance accidents and refusing equipment. Respondents generally overestimated the likelihood of serious harmful events by approximately 10-fold (having a missing person's report filed with the police; having a fall resulting in hospitalisation) and by approximately double (being involved in a car accident; causing a home fire), and with wide variation between respondents. There is potential in icon arrays for communicating risks. Risk literacy among dementia care practitioners needs to be developed.

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Quality, risk and governance: social workers' perspectives

Cited by 38 publications

References 53 publications

Professional judgement about re-offending: Factorial survey

Professional judgement about re-offending: Factorial survey

Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour among Young People Leaving Care: Case-file Survey

Communicating risk in dementia care: Survey of health and social care professionals

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