NOMS Risk of Serious Harm Guidance - …

1 noms Risk of Serious harm Guidance June 2009 Final Version noms RISK OF Serious harm Guidance INDEX Page 2 Introduction Page 3 Guidance Summary Page 4 10 Key Questions to ask yourself when assessing and managing risk of Serious harm Page 5 7 Rationale Pages 8 12 Interpretation and Glossary of Terms Toolkit Pages 13 16 Full Guidance : Very high/ high/ medium/ low risk of Serious harm Pages 17 - 25 Risk Factors: Static/ Dynamic (summary)/ Dynamic/ Comprehensive)/ Acute Page 26 Risk management plan considerations Page 27 Optional Checklist (aide memoir) Suggested Training Materials Pages 28 43 Case studies x 2 including examples of Risk Management Plans 1 Risk of Serious harm Guidance INTRODUCTION Aim The noms Risk of Serious harm Guidance is intended to inform the process of risk assessment and risk management.

2 Its principles can be applied at each contact with an offender, whether in prison or in the community, and at each OASys review. Content The Guidance gives a more detailed account of the three types of factors which underpin risk assessment practice static, dynamic and acute - so that practitioners can give consideration to the relevance of each in the assessment and management of offenders across the range of risk of Serious harm levels. It expands on the OASys definitions in relation to the four levels of risk of Serious harm very high, high, medium and low and identifies the controls, both restrictive and rehabilitative, that should be considered in the management of such risk.

3 Outcomes The Guidance will assist practitioners in making fair, defensible decisions in their assessment of risk of Serious harm and in implementing risk management strategies accordingly. The Guidance Key documents:- 10 key principles/ questions A summary of the Guidance itself Supporting documentation:- Introduction/ Rationale/ Interpretation; Glossary of terms Toolkit: - Comprehensive Guidance very high, high, medium, low ROSH Factors static, dynamic (summary and comprehensive) and acute Controls Rehabilitative and Restrictive Optional checklist Suggested training materials:- Case studies including risk management plans Application The practical application of the Risk of Serious harm Guidance involves the practitioner using the document set to structure the process of risk formulation for each individual offender identifying i) who is at risk of what ii) relevant risk factors iii) likely scenarios in which re- offending may occur and iv) protective factors - so that risk management strategies can be matched accordingly.

4 This structured approach will assist practitioners in adhering to the 10 key principles in the assessment and management of risk of Serious harm . 2 noms Risk of Serious harm Guidance Summary Sheet May 2009 Serious harm An event which is life- threatening and/or traumatic, and from which recovery, whether physical or psychological, can be expected to be difficult or impossible Risk of Serious harm is the likelihood of this event happening. Risk Level Definition of Risk Risk Factors Likelihood/Imminence Risk Management Level - COMMUNITY Risk Management Level - CUSTODY Maximum Maximum Very High There is an imminent risk of Serious harm .

5 The potential event is more likely than not to happen imminently and the impact would be Serious . High levels of static, dynamic and acute risk factors present. Serious harm is more than likely to happen imminently Tier 4 (Control) likely managed at MAPPA level 2 or 3. Multi-agency work and the maximum level of supervision compatible with the sentence are necessary to manage the risk level and offending related needs (particularly for PPO s) utilising restrictive and rehabilitative controls. Likely to be MAPPA eligible Through the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Planning (MARAP) or Inter Departmental Risk Management Team (IDRMT) meetings an action plan will be devised to manage the risks posed.

6 Ongoing monitoring of risks and behaviour will be undertaken through the sentence planning process. High Static and dynamic risk factors present. Several acute factors may be present. There are identifiable indicators of risk of Serious harm . The potential event could happen at any time and the impact would be Serious . The offender has the potential to commit Serious harm and is likely to do so but not in the immediate future. Enhanced Tier 4 (Control) may be managed at MAPPA level 1 (if robust Risk Management Plan in place), 2 or 3. An enhanced level of supervision compatible with the sentence is necessary to manage the risk level and offending related needs (particularly for PPO s) utilising restrictive and rehabilitative controls.

7 Enhanced May be MAPPA eligible Ongoing monitoring following the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Planning (MARAP) if one has taken place through the Inter Departmental Risk Management Team (IDRMT) may include referral for specialist assessment/ treatment. On the balance of probability it is deemed unlikely that an offender will commit an act of Serious harm . Medium There are identifiable indicators of risk of Serious harm . The offender has the potential to cause Serious harm but is unlikely to do so unless there is a change in circumstances. Active Tier 2/3 (help/ change) may be subject to MAPPA level 1 management Active work with the offender will be undertaken to manage and reduce their risk.

8 Active Static risk factors present. Dynamic risk factors under control. Low level of acute factors present. May be MAPPA eligible Referral to the Inter Departmental Risk Management Team (IDRMT) may be appropriate as a result of concerns about this prisoner s changing behaviour or attitude. Monitor Low Current evidence does not indicate likelihood of causing Serious harm . Static risk factors present. Dynamic risk under long term control. No evidence of acute factors present. An act of Serious harm is deemed unlikely. Protective factors are well established and serve to keep risk at a minimal level Monitor Tier 1/2 (punish) may be subject to MAPPA level 1 management.

9 As part of their standard contact with the Probation Service, monitoring of the offenders risk will take place including checks against dynamic and acute risk factors OR other information for evidence which may change the risk management level and require action. Tier 1/2 (punish) - No specific work is required to reduce or manage this risk. As part of their standard contact with prison staff any concerns about this prisoner s changing behaviour or attitude will be recorded. 3 4 10 key questions to ask yourself when assessing and managing risk of Serious harm 1. Have you been alert to changes in risk of Serious harm ? Risk is dynamic and will fluctuate according to individual circumstances.

10 2. Have you identified and paid attention to behaviour or attitudes or changes in circumstance that might indicate that risk has escalated? 3. Have you considered information from a range of sources, and the potential impact, when refreshing each review of risk of Serious harm ? 4. Have you made attempts to validate information that indicates a reduction or increase in risk, either from the offender themselves or from other sources? 5. Are you clear about the purpose of the sentence plan how will objectives contribute to the effective management or reduction of risk? 6. Have you identified how you and the offender will develop and support protective factors?