Risk and Safety Evaluation in Child Welfare, Essay Example

The child welfare organizations are normally expected to pinpoint maltreatment or risk of maltreatment before they interfere with families. Therefore, the analysis is the judgmental part of the child welfare agency work. Most states formalize the procedure of estimating risk by using some category of structured decision-making tool. Risk evaluation tools commonly include behavioral descriptions, procedures to decide levels of risk, categories associated to abuse and neglect and ways of recording this information. To evaluate the risk of maltreatment on Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, there are two approaches used for assessment. One approach is the consensus-based model where there is comprehensive analysis of risk. It is based on various hypothesis of child ill-treatment, research done on the topic and perspectives of expert practitioners. This model tends to use a single tool to foretell all forms of child abuse. This model provides better statistics for casework decision making. The second model is referred to as actuarial instruments. It uses statistical process to recollect and weigh factors that foresee future maltreatment. Actuarial instruments use fewer and different elements to forecast the probability of physical abuse and of neglect. The consensus-based model is used at the initial inspection. The level of abuse on Mr. Jackson’s children is high rating from abuse and neglect.

The actuarial model is the better model for Mr. Jackson’s children. It is conducted at the initial evaluation. This tool is founded on statistical alliance of factors within substantiated ill-treatment injury, foster care disposition, and re-evaluation within a period of two years in each place. The evaluation tool has two subdivisions, one that examines the peril of neglect and the other risk of physical abuse. Each item resulted in a 0, 1, and 2 as shown on the tool. Based on the highest subscale outcome, Jackson’s family is in a high-risk category. Though the Jackson’s family risk may transition over time, it is important to put the children in foster care so that the children’s welfare is addressed. The actuarial model proves to be more accurate in predict and has enabled in comprehensive understanding of the service needs of Jackson’s family.