International Symposium

Decision making is of crucial importance to the social work profession. Lives and liberty depend on decisions undertaken in crises and high risk situations. We support clients in risk-taking decision making. Professional judgments have to be based explicitly on evidence and sound reasoning, utilising robust assessment tools and collaborative (and sometimes contested) decision making processes.

This conference is designed to bring together researchers, educators, policy makers and senior practitioners to share current developments and to promote collaborative research, development and teaching initiatives to improve professional knowledge and skills for the ultimate benefit of clients and families.

The conference will begin on Monday 28 June with a welcome given by Sean Holland, Chief Social Services Officer, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The keynote speakers will be Professor Jill Manthorpe (Director, Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King’s College London)  who has undertaken extensive research and publishing on risk in adult social care including the protection of vulnerable adults; and Martin C Calder (MA, CQSW of Calder Training and Consultancy) who has worked and published extensively in child protection and welfare for 25 years including the development of accessible, evidence-based assessment tools.

Conference details

• Programme information

• Accommodation information

• Booking for the conference has now closed

Sponsored by the Social and Policy Research Institute at University of Ulster