Risk assessment in child welfare: The art and science

This paper is an analysis of the current state of risk assessment in child welfare practice. The art (practice wisdom) and science (empirically based instruments) of risk assessment are highlighted and provide a unique focus on risk assessment than has previously been presented in the literature. Factors predicting the occurrence and the recurrence of child maltreatment are discussed, prior research is examined, and methodological problems and limitations are provided. Recommendations are offered on the integration of art and science in risk assessment to formulate the most effective and holistic assessment of the family.