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Perception of risk among child protection workers

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  • Sullivan, Catherine
  • Whitehead, Paul C.
  • Leschied, Alan W.
  • Chiodo, Debbie
  • Hurley, Dermot

Abstract

Differences in ratings of the severity of risk for children involved in the child welfare system among less experienced and more experienced social workers are examined. Sixty-three social workers from a south western Ontario CAS participated: twenty-seven with less than three years of experience and thirty-six with more than three years of experience. Social workers read two scenarios and were asked to determine the extent of risk present to the child and indicate if that child should be taken into care. The findings indicate that social workers with different levels of experience do not differ in their perceptions of risk and in their decisions with regards to managing risk in the community. Increases in the number of children taken into care is not attributable to differential decision making based on experience.

Suggested Citation

  • Sullivan, Catherine & Whitehead, Paul C. & Leschied, Alan W. & Chiodo, Debbie & Hurley, Dermot, 2008. "Perception of risk among child protection workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(7), pages 699-704, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:30:y:2008:i:7:p:699-704
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cash, Scottye J., 2001. "Risk assessment in child welfare: the art and science," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(11), pages 811-830, November.
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    1. Molina, A. & Palacios, J. & Jiménez-Morago, J.M., 2019. "Do more severe incidents lead to more drastic decisions? A study of professional child protection decision making in Spain," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    2. Vanderfaeillie, Johan & Van Holen, Frank & Verheyden, Camille & Van Puyenbroeck, Bert & Benbenishty, Rami, 2023. "Decision-making on out-of-home care: The case of Flanders," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    3. Victor Grimaldi & Javier Pérez-Padilla & Miguel Ángel Garrido & Bárbara Lorence, 2019. "Assessment and Decision-Making in Child Protective Services: Risk Situations Kept-at-Home Versus Out-of-Home Care," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(5), pages 1611-1628, October.
    4. Arruabarrena, Ignacia & De Paúl, Joaquín, 2012. "Improving accuracy and consistency in child maltreatment severity assessment in child protection services in Spain: New set of criteria to help caseworkers in substantiation decisions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 666-674.

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