Questions of 'Risk' for Social Work
I will critically interrogate the use and operationalization of the concept of 'risk' in social work practice (in the Western world). I will argue that any use of 'risk' as a conceptual framework through which client groups are characterised and services formulated and delivered is potentially destructive to both the historical mission of social work and its founding values, and to the survival of the social work profession and social work knowledge. I will emphasize that the use of 'risk' (in many forms) by government and human service organisations must be understood within the context of 'welfare reform', economic re-structuring and the consequent re-formulation of the structures and workings of human service organisations.
Broadly, I will define 'risk' and outline the various risk assessment models which have currency. I hope to tease out reliability, complexity and developmental and cultural sensitivity issues related to the use of such systems. I will question the efficacy of such models, both on their own terms and within the context of debates against empiricist notions of social science. That is, is it even possible to predict human behaviour in the ways that these models imply? And, what are the strategic consequences for the social work profession if it is to support the development of such systems in preference to a recognition of social work specific expertise and knowledge, which is more contextual and qualitatively based? Further, I also hope to tease out the potential incongruity between the use of such ‘risk’ models and professional social work values of social justice and empowerment, and further how practitioners themselves think about or reconcile their professional values with the practice of risk assessment. Thus, my presentation will focus on not just how does social work respond to issues of risk in society, but what are the broader consequences and complications of taking up 'risk' as a narrative through which the profession understands its role.