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#1 Posted : 04 April 2007 13:11:00(UTC)
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Posted By G Robertson
Can anyone advise me on Risk Assessments in a Social Work setting.

I am experienced in all aspects of work related risk assessments, just wondering about things specific to Social Work.

I have been asked to give a presentation on
"What are the main priorities for Risk Assessments within Social Work"

Any ideas? any help on where to look?
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#2 Posted : 04 April 2007 13:16:00(UTC)
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Posted By garyh
If we assume that you are primarily looking at risks to the social worker, then you might concentrate on the interactions with "customers" which have the potential for violence etc. In which case you would need to have control measures such as a strategy for avoiding situation, also for dealing with situations, policy, procedure, training and so on. Perhaps also lone worker issues.

Many organisations with a "public interface" will have these issues.
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#3 Posted : 04 April 2007 13:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By Linda Westrupp
Things to consider:
Lone working
Driving for work
Violence and Aggression
Infection control
Exposure to needles/syringes
STRESS
Work station arrangements (when writing up/typing notes)
Training - dealing with aggression, breakaway etc.
Use of laptop if applicable
Means of washing hands when leaving clients home (provision of hand wash gel etc.)
Carriage of passengers for work purposes
Dealing with bodily spillages in car
Carrying out risk assessment on the home they are visiting if for the first time
Arrangements for interview at office - back up etc.


I would say the main risks these days are V&A (especially in children's services) driving and STRESS.
Probably lots more but those are the main ones I can remember off the top of my head
Good Luck
Linda
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#4 Posted : 04 April 2007 13:43:00(UTC)
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Posted By G Robertson
Thank you for the list of issues Linda. It gives me something to work on.

We have just had a fire alarm go off so was out when you responded.

Thanks

Geo.
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#5 Posted : 04 April 2007 14:07:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bob Youel

its a devil of a job to get info about 'clients' & their minders so as suitable & sufficient RA's can be undertaken

culture [over 15 years experience with social security / services]is such that the staff are 2nd with 'clients' etc first

its far riskier than many traditionally high risk industriesp; construction etc in many areas especially violence against staff
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