Risk Management in Social Work

by

Frederic G. Reamer

Introduction

Social workers face several possible risks when they provide services to individuals, couples, families, small groups, communities, and organizations. Risk that is managed skillfully and professionally protects clients, third parties, social workers, and social workers’ employers. Risk that is managed poorly can harm clients and others. Parties that believe they have been harmed by social workers may file lawsuits and formal complaints with state licensing boards and professional associations. Some risks arise when social workers do not adhere to prevailing ethical standards in the profession and pertinent laws and regulations. Others arise when social workers fail to obtain or use proper education and training or when they are impaired. Key risks involve client rights, informed consent, confidentiality and privileged communication, conflicts of interest, boundary issues and dual relationships, high-risk interventions, consultation, supervision, documentation, and termination of services.

General Overviews

Social workers can consult several useful publications and resources to help them grasp key concepts related to risk management, professional negligence, standards of care, and licensing and regulatory standards. Kavaler and Spiegel 2003 and Nakamura and Carroll 2006 provide useful, comprehensive overviews of the concept of risk management in settings that provide health and mental health services. Reamer 2001 examines risk management issues in social work.

• Kavaler, Florence, and Allen Spiegel, eds. 2003. Risk management in health care institutions: A strategic approach. 2d ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

  E-mail Citation »

  A valuable introduction to the concept of risk management and the topics of quality assurance, risk management strategies and protocols, professional standards, regulations, ethics, and malpractice. This comprehensive text explores risk management issues in various settings, such as psychiatric hospitals, medical hospitals, nursing homes, home care programs, and managed care organizations.

• Nakamura, Peggy, and Roberta Carroll, eds. 2006. Risk management handbook for health care organizations. vol. 1, 5th ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

  E-mail Citation »

  The first volume of a three-volume set provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept of risk management, legal concepts, development of a risk management program, ethical issues, documentation, and information technology.

• Nakamura, P. and R. Carroll, eds. 2006. Risk management handbook for health care organizations. vol. 2, 5th ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

  E-mail Citation »

  The second volume of a three-volume set provides a comprehensive introduction to client safety, crisis management, research issues, behavioral health, critical care, home care, and long-term care.

• Nakamura, P. and R. Carroll, eds. 2006. risk management handbook for health care organizations. vol. 3, 5th ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

  E-mail Citation »

  The third volume of a three-volume set provides a comprehensive introduction to risk mapping, managed care, employment practices liability, advertising liability, claims and litigation management, information technology, statutes and regulations, standards, and privacy.

• Reamer, Frederic G. 2001. The social work ethics audit: A risk-management tool. Washington, DC: National Association of Social Workers.

  E-mail Citation »

  Provides step-by-step instructions for social workers who want to conduct a comprehensive ethics audit. Reamer summarizes the nature and purposes of an ethics audit and provides a comprehensive outline of issues to examine in an audit.