Creative Approaches to Social Work Practice and Risk

Heidi Dix is Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the University of Suffolk and Director of the Youth Justice Institute with research interests in youth justice and practice learning.Aisha Howells is Lecturer and Social Worker with research interests of mothers, child sexual abuse, practice education and creativity in social work.

• Introduction. 1.Practising Confidently in Times of Uncertainty. 2.Exploring Risk and Safety When Working with Child Sexual Abuse. 3.Creating a Welcome Space in the Margin of Error; Finding a Place for Mistakes in Social Work. 4.Creatively Applying Professional Dangerousness to Improve Practice Responses to Risk Situations. 5.From Conflict to Clarity: Navigating Difficult Conversations to Assess and Address Risk. 6.Integrating Therapeutic Techniques into Social Work Practice. 7.Coaching in Social Work to Promote Safety and Wellbeing. 8.Using IDEAS to Support Relational Social Work Practice When Working with Risk.

"Working with risk can be difficult and anxiety-provoking for social work students and practitioners and whilst acknowledging this, this highly recommended practice-based book unpicks some of the key issues that can inhibit or distort professional decision-making involving risk. It is packed with useful information and creative exercises to enhance practitioner self-awareness through self-reflection, team support and supervision, and promote open and effective working relationships inter-professionally and collaboratively with people who use services, to inspire, build confidence and identify positive risk-taking strategies."Dr Sue Hollinrake, Associate Professor, University of Suffolk