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Risk, instrumentalism and the humane project – identifying the informal logics of risk management in children's statutory services.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

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Risk, instrumentalism and the humane project – identifying the informal logics of risk management in children's statutory services. / Broadhurst, Karen; Hall, Chris; Wastell, Dave et al.
In: British Journal of Social Work, Vol. 40, No. 4, 06.2010, p. 1046-1064.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Harvard

Broadhurst, K, Hall, C, Wastell, D, White, S & Pithouse, A 2010, 'Risk, instrumentalism and the humane project – identifying the informal logics of risk management in children's statutory services.', British Journal of Social Work, vol. 40, no. 4, pp. 1046-1064. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcq011

APA

Broadhurst, K., Hall, C., Wastell, D., White, S., & Pithouse, A. (2010). Risk, instrumentalism and the humane project – identifying the informal logics of risk management in children's statutory services. British Journal of Social Work, 40(4), 1046-1064. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcq011

Vancouver

Broadhurst K, Hall C, Wastell D, White S, Pithouse A. Risk, instrumentalism and the humane project – identifying the informal logics of risk management in children's statutory services. British Journal of Social Work. 2010 Jun;40(4):1046-1064. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcq011

Author

Broadhurst, Karen ; Hall, Chris ; Wastell, Dave et al. / Risk, instrumentalism and the humane project – identifying the informal logics of risk management in children's statutory services. In: British Journal of Social Work. 2010 ; Vol. 40, No. 4. pp. 1046-1064.

Bibtex

@article{261aeff40aeb4815bdd6feec5e7c3acf,
title = "Risk, instrumentalism and the humane project – identifying the informal logics of risk management in children's statutory services.",
abstract = "This paper addresses growing professional discontents with the increasing formalisation of social work practice exerted through systems of risk management and audit. Drawing on an ESRC-funded study of social work practices in children's statutory services, this paper provides a critique of instrumental approaches to risk management in social work. Through the discussion of three illustrative case examples, we argue that risk management is an inherently complex, contingent and negotiated activity. Social work practitioners are obliged to comply with risk reduction technologies, but informal processes continue to play a critical role in shaping decisions and actions in this relationship-based profession. From practitioner accounts, we identify key elements of the informal logics of risk management. We conclude that the bureaucratic–instrumental bias manifest in the modernisation of children's services, in privileging metrics and administrative power leaves the informal and relational aspects of practice under-emphasised and under-theorised. Suggestions are made about how practice might be advanced in the complex world of child welfare and protection.",
keywords = "Informal logics, risk management, relationship-based practice, contingency, bureaucracy, assessment",
author = "Karen Broadhurst and Chris Hall and Dave Wastell and Sue White and Andy Pithouse",
year = "2010",
month = jun,
doi = "10.1093/bjsw/bcq011",
language = "English",
volume = "40",
pages = "1046--1064",
journal = "British Journal of Social Work",
issn = "1468-263X",
publisher = "Oxford University Press",
number = "4",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Risk, instrumentalism and the humane project – identifying the informal logics of risk management in children's statutory services.

AU - Broadhurst, Karen

AU - Hall, Chris

AU - Wastell, Dave

AU - White, Sue

AU - Pithouse, Andy

PY - 2010/6

Y1 - 2010/6

N2 - This paper addresses growing professional discontents with the increasing formalisation of social work practice exerted through systems of risk management and audit. Drawing on an ESRC-funded study of social work practices in children's statutory services, this paper provides a critique of instrumental approaches to risk management in social work. Through the discussion of three illustrative case examples, we argue that risk management is an inherently complex, contingent and negotiated activity. Social work practitioners are obliged to comply with risk reduction technologies, but informal processes continue to play a critical role in shaping decisions and actions in this relationship-based profession. From practitioner accounts, we identify key elements of the informal logics of risk management. We conclude that the bureaucratic–instrumental bias manifest in the modernisation of children's services, in privileging metrics and administrative power leaves the informal and relational aspects of practice under-emphasised and under-theorised. Suggestions are made about how practice might be advanced in the complex world of child welfare and protection.

AB - This paper addresses growing professional discontents with the increasing formalisation of social work practice exerted through systems of risk management and audit. Drawing on an ESRC-funded study of social work practices in children's statutory services, this paper provides a critique of instrumental approaches to risk management in social work. Through the discussion of three illustrative case examples, we argue that risk management is an inherently complex, contingent and negotiated activity. Social work practitioners are obliged to comply with risk reduction technologies, but informal processes continue to play a critical role in shaping decisions and actions in this relationship-based profession. From practitioner accounts, we identify key elements of the informal logics of risk management. We conclude that the bureaucratic–instrumental bias manifest in the modernisation of children's services, in privileging metrics and administrative power leaves the informal and relational aspects of practice under-emphasised and under-theorised. Suggestions are made about how practice might be advanced in the complex world of child welfare and protection.

KW - Informal logics

KW - risk management

KW - relationship-based practice

KW - contingency

KW - bureaucracy

KW - assessment

U2 - 10.1093/bjsw/bcq011

DO - 10.1093/bjsw/bcq011

M3 - Journal article

VL - 40

SP - 1046

EP - 1064

JO - British Journal of Social Work

JF - British Journal of Social Work

SN - 1468-263X

IS - 4

ER -