David Mitchell, Professional Services Manager Baseline Risk and Vulnerabilities Indicator Tool

Learning objectives Review policy and language of risk assessment and risk management (reduction); Introduce Baseline Risk and Vulnerability Indicator tool (BRVI); Review evidence and practice prompts for risk domains; Introduce scoring of ‘probability’; ‘severity’; ‘risk rating’ and ‘risk level; Use the BRVI to ‘go beyond’ simple classification (L/M/H) and offer a means to understand and respond to behaviours; Apply BRVI to admission information and calculate risk.

Risk Management Policy

GIRFEC and Risk Assessment Balanced inclusive approach needs to be taken to avoid polarising our work into risk assessment or strengths based approach – we need to do both. ‘..we would ague that risks and needs are two sides of the same coin. If a child is at risk in some way, that child will have needs related to their well- being.’ (Aldgate and Rose 2009) Baseline risk indicator can be seen as first step of GIRFEC compliant processes given its approach to welfare and offending to ensure appropriate, proportionate and timely intervention work in an integrated way with children, one which recognises the balance between positive and negative influences. ‘:Problems and strengths are inter-related and inextricable from one another, and are discovered through dialogue’ (Graybeal and Konrad 2008, p.185 ).

Risk Terminology ‘Risk’ is an uncertain prediction about future behaviour, with a chance that the future outcome of the behaviour will be harmful or negative. (Kemshall and Pritchard, 1996) and comprises of Risk Factors – including Static and Dynamic Factors. Static, historical risk factors (e.g. age at first offence, sex, offence history, health record etc.) do not change; Dynamic factors (e.g. drug use, attitudes) are variable and can be changed by interventions.

Risk Terminology- Assessment ‘Risk Assessment’ is the process of estimating and evaluating risk. A ‘probability’ calculation that a harmful behaviour or event will occur, which involves an assessment frequency of the behaviour/event, its likely impact and who it will affect (Kemshall and Pritchard, 1996) Risk assessment is a ‘forecast’ NOT a ‘prediction’

Risk Terminology- Management ‘Risk Management’ is the development of a systematic approach within an organisation which allows for the planning of strategies and for monitoring and reviewing accountability and support for staff (Titterton 2005) Risk Management = Risk Reduction

“Certain tasks, duties or operational contexts require brief risk assessment that nevertheless needs to be defensible, meaningfully communicated and acted upon with integrity. Such brief risk assessment may serve the purposes of one-off initial decision making, or underpin ongoing routine duties”. (Ref: Practice Standards, RMA, 2012, p 8)

What does the BRVI do ? A Baseline Risk Indicator is a Scan for Risk A Scan for risk involves developing an awareness of the level and nature of risk with a view to supporting decisions and communicating meaningfully about risk management. A scan should identify the key risk indicators and propose conclusions about the possible impact of those factors without requiring a detailed examination. New tool provides better justification for decision of ‘low’; ‘medium’; ‘high’ risk, the summary risk rating should flow from the description of relevant risk factors and aid decisions about the nature and degree of risk management strategies necessary

What does the BRVI do ? Allows for a scan of the ‘risk landscape’ and should prompt consideration as to whether there are risk indicators that merit further assessment, Whether routine activities or interventions can proceed on the basis of the scan. Clear recording and onward communication of the rationale for the decisions taken are essential.

Risk Assessment Practice process COMMUNICATE Meaningfully and Appropriately EVALUATE What needs to be done?Who needs to know? ANALYSE What does this mean?Pattern, nature, seriousness and likelihood IDENTIFY RiskStrength

Where does BRVI fit with Risk Assessment Practice Process?

The risk areas contained within Baseline Risk and Vulnerability Indicator Tool aim to provide an initial assessment of behavioural risk indicators which experience tells us are likely to require further more detailed risk assessment and specific risk management. This tool should be used by staff to screen young people at point of referral and admission to Rossie. On occasion some young people are admitted without full information about their circumstances, needs or presenting risks. Rossie is, however, required to manage dynamic (changeable) behavioural risk from start of placement.

The Risk Matrix The strengths of this matrix are in helping people distinguish between the likelihood of an event or behaviour (or sequence of events and behaviours) occurring and the severity of its consequences for the young person and helping people to see how those factors interact to create greater or lesser degrees of risk.