Good Practice in Risk Assessment and Risk Management 2

Hazel Kemshall is currently Professor of Community and Criminal Justice at DeMontfort University. She was previously a senior lecturer at Birmingham University and has practice and management experience with the Probation Service. She has written extensively on risk assessment and risk management, and has recently completed research for the Economic and Social Research Council. Jacki Pritchard qualified as a social worker and has worked as a practitioner and manager in both fieldwork and hospital settings. She is also an accredited practice teacher. She is now a full time trainer and consultant in England and Northern Ireland, and has trained many different professionals and workers both in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. She has undertaken various research projects. Her publications include Good Practice in Supervision and Working with Elder Abuse and she co-edited Good Practice in Risk Assessment and Risk Management 1 with Hazel Kemshall.

A comprehensive overview of practice issues... [The] chapters are well-written and informed with arguments well supported by pertinent case study material. The book will prove a useful tool to those working with risk in providing practical strategies for effective intervention and, in some chapters, accessible exercises for use in staff development and training. The contributors are to be commended for providing a balanced perspective and seeking to challenge the pervasive negative connotations typically applied to risk behaviours. [The editors] have succeeded in producing a well written text which deals with issues and dilemmas related to risk in a clear and forthright manner. Social workers, and their managers will benefit from the objective stance provided in an increasingly prioritized and significant area of influence on practice.

• 1.Improving Judgement and Appreciating Biases within the Risk Assessment Process, Robert Strachan, Social Services Manager and Chris Tallant, West Yorkshire Probation Service. 2.Taking the Risk? Assessing Lesbian and Gay Carers, Stephen Hicks, Manchester Metropolitan University. 3.Making Family Placements: Work with Risks and Building on Strengths, Anne van Meeuwen, Barnados. 4.Risk in Adoption and Fostering, Sheila Byrne, British Association of Fostering and Adoption. 5. `One of the Hardest Jobs in the World: Attempting to Manage Risk in Children's Homes, Hilary Owen, Community Health, Sheffield. 6.Vulnerable People taking Risks: Older People and Residential Care, Jacki Pritchard, Freelance Trainer/Consultant. 7.`People with Learning Difficulties - Citizenship, Personal Development and the Management of Risk', Bob Tindall, United Response. 8.`We Can Take It: Drug Use', Peter Argall and Ben Cowderoy, The Basement Project. 9.`Alcohol: The Effects and Risks for Individuals', Pam Askham, Independent Trainer and Counsellor. 10.`Homelessness and Mental Health - Risk Assessment, Sue Lipscombe and the Westminster Joint Homelessness Team. 11.`Risk, Residential Services and People with Mental Health Needs', Tony Ryan, Turning Point. 12.`Community Care Homocide Inquiries and Risk Assessment', Michael Howlett, The Zito Trust. 13.Risk and Prison Suicide, Alison Liebling, Cambridge University. 14.Teenage Suicide and Self Harm: Assessing and Managing Risk, Juliet Lyon, Trust for the Study of Adolescence. 15.Risk and Parole: Issues in Risk Assessment for Release, Hazel Kemshall, University of Birmingham. 16.Rights Versus Risks: Issues in Work with Prisoners, Brian Williams, University of Keele. 17.Domestic Violence and Probation Practice: Protection and Risk Katherine Beattie, West Midlands Probation Service. 18.Through Care Practice, Risk and Contact with Victims, Peter Johnston, West Yorkshire Probation Service. 19.Risk: The Role and Responsibilities of Middle Managers, Christine Lawrie, Her Majesty's Inspector of Probation