Risk and Decision-making 

Challenges for Children's Services' Management and Practice


An online CPD module for practitioners and managers


The University of Sussex is now recruiting for the 2026-27 intake of our online CPD module on 'Risk and Decision-Making: Challenges for Children’s Services Management and Practice'. The 30-credit module is led by Prof. Michelle Lefevre  who has substantial experience in social work practice, development and research. Michelle led the ground-breaking Innovate Project and is now leading the NIHR-funded study, 'Flourish: Family Help in the Early Years'. She has published widely in the field of risk and safeguarding. Seminars will be co-led with Tom Hatton, an experienced social work practitioner and children's services manager, currently undertaking doctoral research to improve the processes followed when children come into care. Taught sessions will also be provided by Dr Henry Smith and Prof. Lisa Holmes.

The course fee can be learned on application to cpd@sussex.ac.uk.  You can take the module either free-standing or build your 30 Masters' level credits  towards a full postgraduate award in Effective Practice or Leadership and Management at Sussex. 

Download the flyer here for more information.

Dates in 2026-27

The module will be held on 7 mornings 9am to 1pm. The dates in the 2026-27 academic year are:

  • 14th October 2026
  • 4th November 2026
  • 18th November 2026
  • 9th December 2026
  • 13th January 2027
  • 10th February 2027
  • 3rd March 2027

Who is this module aimed at?

Participants will be experienced practitioners, supervisors and practice managers in Children's Services, whether in local authority social work, social care, health or education settings, or in the voluntary, for profit, or independent sector.

Why take this module at Sussex

You will learn about key perspectives, theory and the evidence base concerning risk and decision-making in Children’s Services in contemporary legal, policy and practice contexts. The focus will be on integrating learning with critical reflection and developing risk management practices, as well as tackling role related challenges. The teaching team is at the forefront of research and engagement with the sector regarding risk, safeguarding and practice development, and will be able to share findings and new conceptualisations from their own work.

What and how will I learn?

The module is taken entirely digitally/online. Teaching and learning will take place through live-online (Teams) lectures and workshops and smaller practice development discussion groups, supplemented by virtual learning resources.  The discussion groups will facilitate participants in making sense of the learning in relation to their specific setting and role, and support them in undertaking the work-based assignment for the module. NB it is an expectation that participants undertake preparatory reading and other tasks before every taught session.

Themes covered

  • Critical perspectives on risk, risk management and evidence
  • Key concepts and challenges in decision-making
  • Subjectivity, evidence and outcomes
  • Organisational risk and lines of power and accountability
  • What data can(‘t) tell us about value, benefit and impact
  • The voice and expertise of children and families.
  • The role of emotions and relationships in practice

Learning directly related to your practice context

The module assignment will support you in producing a critical account of one aspect of your risk management undertaken within your usual social work role and agency setting:

  • Practitioners will demonstrate how they have assessed risk, made key decisions and plans and sought to improve outcomes.
  • Supervisors and managers will analyse their support and guidance of staff in their agency in relation to risk and decision-making.
  • Alternatively, participants may undertake and evaluate an action learning project within their agency to improve the quality of assessment, decision-making or risk management

Regular peer discussion and feedback within small groups will help participants frame and develop effective risk management practices.

For application forms & further information 

Please visit: www.sussex.ac.uk/schools/education-and-social-work/study/social-work/cpd

Completed applications must be received by Friday 28th August 2026

Download the flyer here for more information.

Take a look at our related module on 'Developing Innovation in Social Work and Social Care Organisations'