Child Welfare Licence (CWEL) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CWEL Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the context of child welfare, the term "risk" specifically refers to the likelihood of long-term harm or maltreatment to the child. This encompasses various factors that can impact a child's safety and overall well-being, such as exposure to abusive situations, neglect, or other forms of maltreatment. Evaluating risk involves assessing the potential for these harmful experiences to affect the child both in terms of immediate safety and future development.

Risk assessment is critical in child welfare because it informs decision-making and intervention strategies. Professionals assess risks to adequately protect the child and to help the family by addressing the underlying issues contributing to potential harm. It emphasizes the need for proactive measures to prevent adverse outcomes rather than merely responding to incidents that have already occurred.

The other options, while related to the child welfare context, do not encapsulate the broader definition of "risk" as it pertains to long-term implications for a child's wellbeing. The possibility of removal from the home is more a consequence of risk, the assessment of the living environment provides context but does not define risk itself, and financial instability can indeed impact family dynamics but does not necessarily equate to risk for the child specifically in terms of maltreatment or harm.