Identifying Some Risk Assessment Criteria

Abstract

We now move to a central issue in child protection work. This chapter is concerned with issues surrounding the investigation of child maltreatment allegations as they are recorded by social workers in child protection case records. Particular attention will be paid to those matters which the social workers consider to be of importance during the inquiry process. The questions will be asked: What are the factors which workers write about and choose to draw to formal and official attention when investigating an allegation of child abuse? How do social workers achieve some resolution to issues which often seem irresolvable but which are key to operationalising child protection?