Andrew Whittaker

Andrew Whittaker is Emeritus Professor at London South Bank University. His research focuses upon the risks of violence and exploitation faced by young people and on risk and expert decision-making in health and social care settings. He is Editor of the Journal of Social Work Practice and Convenor of the (ESWRA) European Special Interest Group on Risk, Assessment and Decision making.

He was lead author for the 'Postcodes to Profit' study of street gangs in London and is currently undertaking research on trauma informed approaches, child criminal exploitation and youth violence reduction. He was seconded to the Tavistock Clinic, where he co-authored a study into child abuse linked to witchcraft and spirit possession. He was previously a senior child protection social worker, a therapist in an NHS child and adolescent mental health service and the director of a mental health charity. He has over 30 years experience in social work practice, research and education.