skip to main content
Text size:

Risk assessment

Risk assessment

Risk assessment is the process of gathering information in order to identify sources of safeguarding risk, evaluate the likelihood of that risk causing harm to children, and deciding on what action to take to eliminate or reduce the risk.

Risk assessment is a key feature of social work.

The CSFH risk assessment practice guidance for social workers provides information on when to carry out risk assessments, what information to include and analysing risk to inform decisions.

Research in Practice have produced guidance on assessing risk of further child maltreatment using the Jones model.

Assessing risk of further child maltreatment

Last updated: 30 October 2024