This journal article discusses the use of risk assessment tools in child protection social work. The authors argue that the use of these tools can serve organisational needs at the expense of parent or caregiver involvement and that this can compromise the client/social worker relationship. The authors further argue that child protection assessments need to occur within an established relationship. They argue that, although recent practice initiatives are aimed at the enhancement of child protection practice, the daily reality remains one of time and resource pressure for social workers, and that this my result in the non-detection of a situation described in the child death review literature as 'disguised compliance'. Drawing on social work and adult education literature, the authors conclude that the relationship between child protection social worker and client is an important model for the assessment of disguised compliance, and one in which its safe management can occur.

Social Work Review 19 (2) Winter 2007 : 31-36