The experience of assessing risk by child protection workers in the north region of British Columbia

Abstract

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of child protection social workers in the assessment of risk within a structured risk assessment model that employs a comprehensive risk assessment instrument to guide decision-making. The study explored the experiences of six female child protection workers employed by the Ministry of Children and Family Development in the North Region of British Columbia in completing a "risk assessment" case scenario of an "at-risk" child. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis to reveal the experience of assessing risk. The analyses revealed two broad themes: the meaning of the experience and reflection on practice with four sub themes (the experience of assessing risk, professional versus the personal, information gathering, and practice differences) that attempt to capture the interrelationship between the self and the job.ii Abstract