000 02583nab a22002657a 4500
999 _c5812
_d5812
005 20250625151448.0
008 180410s2018 -nz||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
040 _aAFVC
100 _94218
_aKeddell, Emily
245 _aRole type, risk perceptions and judgements in child welfare :
_ba mixed methods vignette study
_cEmily Keddell and Ian Hyslop
260 _bElsevier,
_c2018
500 _aChild and Youth Services Review, 2018, 87; 130-139
520 _aVariable outcomes when family characteristics are similar are a problem in child welfare systems. Perceptions of risk and safety can vary widely, resulting in lack of consistency in practise and professional conflicts. This article reports on a mixed methods study that used an ecological approach to understanding variability in child welfare decision-making. Phase one of the study used a staged online vignette-based survey to compare statutory and non-governmental organization (NGO) child welfare practitioners' perceptions of risk, safety, and harm over time (n = 67), and key decisions such as when to substantiate. The survey also elicited qualitative responses about their conceptualisation of risk factors, safety factors, plan goals, knowledge bases and practice responses. Role type shapes differences in perceptions of the levels of risk, safety, substantiation and future harm. Statutory workers perceived present and future risk levels as lower than NGO workers, safety higher, and substantiated later. Both groups defined risk factors and safety factors at stages one and two in similar ways, and identified similar knowledge bases they would use in practice. Differences in safety constructions, practise responses and goals occurred at later stages. These findings suggest that despite broad similarities in knowledge bases, perceptions of the level of risk can still differ. This may be explained by the ‘situated role’ of the practitioner in relation to their position on the prevention – intervention continuum. Implications for theory, practice and research are discussed. (Authors' abstract). Record #5812
650 _aCHILD PROTECTION
_9118
650 4 _aRISK ASSESSMENT
_9504
650 4 _aSOCIAL SERVICES
_9555
650 _aSOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
_9562
650 4 _aSUPPORT SERVICES
_9591
651 4 _aNEW ZEALAND
_92588
700 _aHyslop, Ian
_91407
773 0 _tChild and Youth Services Review, 2018, 87; 130-139
830 _aChild and Youth Services Review
_97481
856 _uhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.02.017
_yRead abstract
942 _2ddc
_cARTICLE