Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
SS4018
To protect the confidentiality of the service users I worked with who are mentioned in this assignment, all service users’ names and any identifying features have been anonymoused. Confidentiality is key for the Social work profession to ensure sensitive information remains undisclosed (Doel, 2012).
The aim of risk assessment is to consider problems or situations where it is likely or unlikely that harm may occur (Adams et al, 2009). Risk is a generic concept based on the assumption that the likelihood of loss, harm or other negative happenings can be estimated or even quantified. When applied to social work, “the complexities of the factors correlated with peoples vulnerabilities and
…show more content…
Child protection concerns play a large part in Social Work practice, which is underpinned by law, policy, organisational procedures and public enquiries regarding how the Government try to prevent abuse from going unseen (Hothersall 2010).
Risk when thinking about Social Work practice looks at two main areas:
• The risk a person poses to themselves and to others
• Risk that a person may be subject to, looking at their vulnerability (Maclean & Harrison 2011)
Whilst on placement with the Aberdeenshire Council Children and Families Team I adhered to the lone working policy to ensure my safety when out of the office working with clients. To minimise risks, in line with this policy I have my mobile phone with me at all times and ensure I write my day to day diary on the office board with names, times and addresses of where I will be going, and notify staff of my where-a-bouts (Aberdeenshire Council 2014).
During my time on placement I managed a case with a 15 year old male who’s dangerous and risk taking behaviour was spiralling out of control. Ryan was truanting school, resulting in his attendance being less than 20%, associating with a negative peer group and getting involved in physical fights. Ryan’s anti-social and criminalised behaviour has resulting in him being returned home by the police on several occasions.
In this paper, the role of a social worker will be addressed. A Human Service professional has, in its hands, the responsibilities in the life of the clients and families they meet. The tremendous and arduous responsibilities they take on include, but are not limited to, the well-being and care of people and their communities. Such roles can be helping others manage the care of a family member, assisting individuals experiencing problems with family relations and conflicts, dealing with changes that come with growing old, aiding those suffering mental illness and or those individuals struggling with addictions. Briefly
Social workers would assess the safety of other young people and carers around Khalid. Milner and O'Byrne (2002) provides a basic structure for social work assessments to be used in such circumstances, the structure is based on preparation, data collection, weighing the data, analysing the data and
The definition of child protection is the process of protecting individual children identified as either suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm because of abuse or neglect. The term child protection is increasingly being replaced by ‘safeguarding’. Safeguarding has been described as; ‘a broader definition of the range of ways in which adults and professionals working with children need to act when dealing with child protection issues’(Ref: www.education.gov.uk/) Safeguarding refers to the prevention of harm to children and child protection is used more when dealing with policies and procedures following an event of suspected harm.
Throughout this assessment I will analyse a critical incident of an interaction between a worker and a service user or carer during my statutory observation experience. I will conclude my own assessment of the situation and demonstrate my understanding of the use of self, context in which social work takes place and the knowledge and methods of practice. I will not use any of the service users, carers or agencies names in this essay due to the data protection act 1998. I will also adhere to the GSCC codes of conduct that respect and relate to the service users
Risk is defined by the probability of injury, harm, loss or danger. We all take risks every day, and don’t even think about implications.
Why children and young people may need to be looked after away from their families.
I will refer to a particular service user I support as (A). 2years ago (A) was assessed and deemed a risk to their self in the community and within the house when alone with out staff support during the hours of 8am and 9pm but at night (A) had appropriate measures in place to ensure safety at night, door
1.3 Analyse how national and local guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding affect day-to-day work with children and young people
As there are a number of different agencies which may be involved when working in the context of safeguarding, it is important that they communicate and work in partnership to ensure the safety and protection of children. Each area of expertise may need to have an input in any one case and each should be considered when discussing issues around safeguarding. A working party or ‘team around the child’ meeting may be called involving a number of agencies in order to discuss how to move forward in the best interests of the child. Different organisations involved in safeguarding are: social services, the NSPCC, health visitors, GPs, the probation service, the police, schools, the psychology service. When it comes to safeguarding, children are best protected when professionals know what is required of them and how they work together. This means that everyone who works with children has a responsibility for keeping them safe which involves identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action. To carry this out effectively professionals need to work in partnership with each other.
Risk – A risk in a health and social care setting is when there is a strong possibility of harm occurring through a hazard.
An explanation of child protection within the wider concept of safeguarding children and young people.
Working together to safeguard children 2015 say not just the local authority but everyone who comes into contact with children and families
Working together to safeguard children 2006 was a revised document which provided an update on safeguarding and the national framework to help services for children and agencies to work individually and also together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. It was also further revised in 2010 and also applies to those working in education, health and social services as well as the police and the probation service. It is relevant to those working with children and their families in the statutory, independent and voluntary sectors. It is not necessary for all practitioners to read every part of Working Together to Safeguard Children in order to understand the principles and to perform their roles effectively. However, those who work regularly with children and young people and who may be asked to contribute to assessments of children and young people in need and should know the relevant sections of this document. The vetting and barring scheme was introduced in October 2009 with the aim of preventing unsuitable people from working with children and young people. It assured anybody working or volunteering with children would have to register with the independent safeguarding authority (ISA). The ISA will make the decision whether someone is suitable or not to work with children and young people, they base their decisions on information sources like a criminal record bureau checks which gives full record of the individual’s criminal record,
How national and local guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding affect day to day work with children and young people
Social Vulnerability refers to risk as its primary element (Scanlon & Lee, 2007). Every individual is exposed to risk factors therefore; everyone is potentially vulnerable to health problems (Scanlon & Lee, 2007). Social vulnerability consists of various economic, democratic, and cultural variables in relation to an individual’s likelihood of becoming ill (Scanlon & Lee, 2007). The degree of social vulnerability is that an individual experience is greatly reliant on their personal capacity to tolerate adverse influences (Scanlon & Lee, 2007). Each individual will have different strategies and abilities in coping, resisting, and recovering from situations that could result in social vulnerability (Scanlon & Lee, 2007).