Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 1) | Página 121

Risk Assessment

harmful outcomes, and the likelihood of their occurrence in a stated timescale’
(Alberg et al in Titterton, 2005)2. Firstly, we need to understand the context of
the assessment and secondly, we need to know that any risk can move along
a continuum. In other words, it is good to understand risk assessment as a
dynamic process.

Aim of Risk Assessment
The aim of risk assessment is to consider a situation, event or decision and to
identify the chances of the risks falling into a matrix with dimensions of ‘likely
or unlikely’ and ‘harmful or beneficial’. The aim of risk management is to
devise strategies that will help move risk from the likely and harmful category
to the unlikely or beneficial categories.
Most models of risk assessment recognise that it is not possible to eliminate
risk. What a caseworker or case manager does with a comprehensive risk
assessment however is equally important to identifying risks. As a general
rule, good and professional practice would take a stronger interventionist
approach where the risks pertain to health and safety matters.

Approach to risk management
When risks are marked along a continuum, they call for a response or an
approach to managing the risks. The continuum generally can be marked
by controlling attitudes at one end and more empowering approaches at the
other. The more controlling and strong interventionist approach would be
evident in the form of risk avoidance strategies while the more empowering
approach would take the form of positive risk-taking.
We must remember that it is crucial to have good risk assessment to identify
the probability of harm and assess the impact of it on key individuals. It is
equally important to have intervention strategies which may diminish the risk
or reduce the harm. Assessments however, cannot prevent risk.
2 Titterton, M. (2005). Risk and risk taking in health and social welfare. London: Jessica Kingsley.
120