Social work Now, (31) August 2005 : 8-11

This article discusses elements in reducing and managing risk in social work practice and advocates a more collective and strategic approach to understanding risk. Viewed in the context of systemic analysis and the Reason human error model that are applied in other fields, the author finds there is often no convincing explanation of why the responsible staff made the decisions they did in the published investigations of child deaths in New Zealand. The author notes that the personal stakes are high for the staff involved and defensive responses can inhibit understanding of why people do what they do; however, having this understanding is critical to reducing the risk that in future similar circumstances staff will make similar mistakes. While best practice in social work may on its own have limited impact on client wellbeing, the author considers there is a wider issue of what strategies can be employed that will help reduce risk in the larger social system. There is firm evidence that some practices significantly reduce the risk to clients, therefore best practices in social work can or should be recognised so that error can be defined. Among other recommendations, the author suggests that the most important element is to consider all information collection and analysis from the viewpoint of how it will enhance collective understanding of the risk to children and how to manage it. To do this, reporting and analysis of risk factors has to be separated from blame.