1. Social Work admissions: applicants with criminal convictions - the challenge of ethical risk assessment
Peter Nelson
Sheffield Hallam University
Malcolm Cowburn
University of Bradford

2. Aim of paper
To consider the ethical issues involved in admitting applicants with criminal records to social work training
To outline conflicting demands of risk assessment and widening participation

3. Definitional
Criminal convictions
Crime reports

4. Social work admissions
Responsibilities
Gatekeeper (protect the public)
Scott, N. & Zeiger, S. (2000)
Emancipator (widening access)
Magen, R. H. & Emerman, J. (2000)

5. Constructing risk Actuarial Clinical Problem of ‘knowing’
epistemologies
Cultural contingency
Gender, ethnicities, sexualities, (dis)abilities, age, & class
Historical contingency
Smith (1999) - the sex offender
Moral contingency

6. Ethical standpoints Principle-based Character-relationship based -
Kantian - categorical imperative
Utilitarian - greatest benefit for greatest number
Character-relationship based -
virtue - good, honourable conduct descriptors, equity
Care - relational .

7. Making ethical decisions
Issues
Problems
Dilemmas
Equity
Moral Justice .

8. GSCC & Risk: overview
High - likely pose a risk to safety & well being of service users (Violence, cruelty & sex offences)
Medium - may pose a risk to safety & well being of service users (drink driving, theft, possession of class A drugs, repeated low risk offences)
Low - suggest the offender is unlikely to pose a risk to the safety and well-being of service users (shoplifting offences as a teenager, possession of cannabis, minor motoring offences
(GSCC, 2005)

9. Technical risk assessment: GSCC guidance
the relevance of the offence to social care work;
the seriousness of the offence;
the length of time since the offence;
whether the applicant has a pattern of offending;
whether the applicant's situation has changed since the offence was committed;
the circumstances surrounding the offence;
the applicant's explanation for the offence;
evidence submitted by the applicant of their good character. (GSCC, 2005)

10. Case Study (1)
Black working class woman (mid 30s) several cautions for drug related offences over 5 years prior to application
Issues
Not dilemma
Problem for HR (public trust)
Admitted

11. Case study (2)
White working class man (mid 30s). Offences - theft, drunkenness, threatening behaviour, assault with intent to rob (20 month imprisonment)
7 years drugs rehabilitation. Clear of drugs and alcohol for 5 years. No offences for 7 years
Problem for all dilemma for some
Rejected (Kantian v Utilitarianism; equity)

12. GSCC guidelines - reflections
Nature of risk
To whom? (service users/carers, other professionals, self, general public, placement agencies, the profession).
Nature of risk assessment
Actuarial? Proscribed offences
Clinical?
Confused?
Wherein is social work ethics and values?
BASW Code of ethics - Social Justice
‘Reducing disadvantage & exclusion’

13. References
Banks, S. (2006). Ethics and Values in Social Work (3rd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Banks, S. & Williams, R. (2005). Accounting for Ethical Difficulties in Social Welfare Work: Issues, Problems and Dilemmas. British Journal of Social Work, 35,
Cowburn, M. & Nelson, P. (2008). Safe recruitment, social justice, and ethical practice: should people who have criminal convictions be allowed to train as social workers? Social Work Education, 27(3),
General Social Care Council (2005) Risk Assessment Document. London GSCC
Madoc-Jones, I., Bates, J., Facer, B., & Roscoe, K. (2006). Students with Criminal Convictions: Policies and Practices in Social Work Education. British Journal of Social Work, BJSW Advance Access published online on May 4, 2006.
Magen, R. H. & Emerman, J. (2000). Should convicted felons be denied admission to a social work education program? Yes!. Journal of Social Work Education, 36(3),
Scott, N. & Zeiger, S. (2000). Should convicted felons be denied admission to a social work education program? No!. Journal of Social Work Education, 36(3),