The role of uncertainty in professionals' thinking about children who harm other people

Heron, Gavin and Black, Kate (2023) The role of uncertainty in professionals' thinking about children who harm other people. British Journal of Social Work, 53 (5). pp. 2922-2939. ISSN 0045-3102 (https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcad056)

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Abstract

Uncertainty in thinking and reasoning is crucial in allowing professionals to engage with the complexities of practice, yet the way it is expressed in childcare social work remains under-researched. This study examines the uncertainty expressed by professionals when discussing children who present a serious threat of harm to others. Discourse analysis is used to examine data from twenty meetings involving seventy-five professionals. The findings suggest that there is considerable variance in the way professionals express uncertainty and in many of the meetings it appears to be relatively infrequent. The low levels of expression of uncertainty in such complex cases are problematic because it reflects limitations in professionals’ thinking and actions. The majority of instances of uncertainty occur in response to a question from another professional. This is a positive aspect of professional interaction and suggests that robust questioning from peers that encourage analysis of our practice might be particularly useful in prompting uncertainty. Rather than ignore or supress uncertainty by viewing it in negative terms, it should be valued and embraced by professionals who want to reduce unnecessary errors and enhance children’s safety.

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