1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the nature of risk and complexity across the key areas of practice in social work.

Knowledge & understanding

Safe and Professional Practice

2. Critically analyse the relationship between personal, societal, and cultural factors, including discrimination and oppression, and how these impact on the nature of risk and complexity in social work.

Application and problem solving

3. Reflect on your application of relevant knowledge, skills and values to social work practice when working in complex or unpredictable contexts.

Reflection

4. Evaluate complex issues in social work both systematically and creatively to present an evidence-informed professional opinion.

Application and problem solving

Formative:

You will undertake a simulation in which you meet the parent of the individual within the case study.

This will be to discuss and explore risk and complexity in this family dynamic.

Assessment 1: Assignment

You will complete a 2000-word assignment that critically and systematically analyses the nature of risk and complexity in relation to one individual within the case study.

Assessment 2: Simulated reflective supervision

You will be required to participate in a 15-minute reflective supervision with an academic and/or practice educator based upon your formative role play.

Building on the learning from level 5, this module will contextualise contemporary responses to working with risk and complexity in practice. Teaching and learning on the module will enable you to develop critical understanding of;

What we mean by complexity and risk in practice

The nature of uncertainty, professional judgement and ‘risk-taking’ in practice

The role of the social worker in working with adults, children and families whose lived experiences are shaped by risk and complexity including factors including but not limited to mental health, substance use, domestic abuse, coercive control and physical or learning disabilities.

The impact of working with risk and complexity on social workers and organisations, and the strategies available to them to manage this impact in contemporary practice including multi-agency working

The intersecting nature of the factors that shape our understanding of risk and complexity, and the way that these impact on the lived experiences of adults, children and families

The role of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice in understanding and challenging the personal, cultural and systemic issues that shape understanding of risk and lived experiences.

The complexities of decision-making use of power and the ethical dilemmas that arise in practice where these conflict with individual rights

Contemporary research, methods, models and tools that support assessment and intervention in complex or risky situations

The role of the social worker in safeguarding those who are assessed to be ‘at risk’, the legal framework that underpins this, and the theoretical perspectives that inform actions to safeguard them

Informed by current research and collaboration with key stakeholders including people with lived experience, the module will include analysis of the nature of risk and complexity in contemporary practice today, and the evidence base to inform social work interventions to respond to them.

Working with risk and complexity is a key element of social work practice. This module offers a unique opportunity to reflect on, and analyse, the way in which social workers support people through periods in their lives that are shaped by be high levels of risk or complexity, and who therefore may require statutory intervention to safeguard them. Considering contemporary research, and current social work interventions, the module will support you to develop your critical thinking and writing skills, and your confidence in applying the evidence base to practice.

Scheduled teaching and learning activities:

During the classroom sessions there may be -

Lectures covering key topics

Peer learning: Small group discussion to explore some of the key issues in greater depth.

Case-based learning: Realistic scenarios to support critical thinking and application of knowledge to complex situations

Simulated practice experiences

Reflective groups: Peer discussion.

Guest speakers: Experienced practitioners and people with lived experience of social work

Directed Independent Study:

To consist of

Accessing online resources

Use of the VLE

Independent reading to consolidate the knowledge introduced in the scheduled teaching and learning session

Formative and summative assessment preparation

Dyke, C (2023) Writing Analytical Assessments in Social Work (2nd ed). St Albans: Critical Publishing

This text is core because it develops students’ ability to produce high‑quality, analytically rigorous assessments—an essential skill for managing risk and making defensible decisions in complex cases—by offering explicit guidance on analysis, judgement and structured assessment writing supported by case examples.

Hood, R (2018) Complexity in Social Work. London: Sage

This book is essential as it provides a sophisticated yet accessible exploration of how social workers understand and respond to volatility, uncertainty, decision‑making and interprofessional challenges, enabling final‑year students to critically navigate the complex systems and dynamic risks inherent in frontline practice

Killick, C & Taylor, B (2020) Assessment, Risk & Decision Making in Social Work: An introduction. London: Learning Matters

This text is core because it offers a comprehensive framework for undertaking assessments and making professional judgements in contexts of risk, uncertainty and safeguarding, supporting students to understand risk tools, ethical considerations and decision‑making processes central to complex practic

Whittaker, A and Taylor, B (eds) (2020) Risk in Social Work Practice: Current Issues. London: Routledge

This edited collection is vital as it brings together leading research and contemporary debates on how practitioners assess, communicate and manage risk across diverse contexts, deepening final‑year students’ understanding of the ethical, organisational and analytical challenges involved in complex risk‑laden practice

Simulation suites

Virti or other digital tools to aid in phenomena or simulation-based learning