Risk Work

The unsustainability of a cure-focused health system and the need for a stronger approach to managing health risks has been emphasised internationally. In the UK, the government has been urged to develop prevention services ‘on an industrial scale’ (Darzi Report 2008) and the recent Five Year Forward View stated: “The future health of millions of children, the sustainability of the NHS, and the economic prosperity of Britain all now depend on a radical upgrade in prevention and public health” (NHS England 2014:9).

We know little of those at the ‘frontline’ of this work, i.e. the backgrounds, motivations, experiences, or goals of professionals, para-professionals and lay health workers. They are usually based in primary or community care, trained (although not always professionally qualified, and in which case paid far more modestly) to undertake activities to identify or manage health risks, such as screening for diseases or providing dietary advice.

In our work, we have developed a theory of ‘risk work’ – a concept bringing together the sociology of risk and sociology of work to explore the everyday practice of managing (health) risks and to understand its role in the implementation at ‘street-level’ of national policies. We continue to work with public and third sector collaborators to ensure that our research has impact in practice.

We have created a workforce development training programme for community health workers that addresses some of the challenges organisations face when working with risk. The programme is free and accessible to all.

• Download the full course materials pack (PDF - 1.76MB)
• If you have any concerns about the evaluation, please don't hesitate to contact the team at the University of Birmingham (led by Dr Nicola Gale, n.gale@bham.ac.uk).