Providing a complete guide to good practice for those involved in risk assessment and management, this book is the first to bring together the key issues involved, and examine them in the context of a wide range of social care settings.

Using examples of practice with different client groups, the book addresses such questions as how is risk defined in a particular work setting?; how accurately can risk be predicted?; what are the important features of risk?; how do you balance the management of risks and the rights of individuals?

With its strong emphasis on practice, the book examines the key issues and methods of risk measurement, predictability and management, drawing upon the experience of the contributors in a wide variety of social care settings - such as child protection, disability, work with older people, mental health, offenders, and drug addiction. It will be of use to practitioners, managers, trainers, policy makers and students.