Facilitator: Dr Lorraine Johnstone (UK)

Cost: £650 inc VAT

Duration: 2 Days

The problem of youth violence is a serious concern and mental health and criminal justice practitioners are often called-upon to give evidence and opinions about risk. Unlike the field of adult risk assessment, few protocols have been validated for use in adolescents. However, the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) developed by Randy Borum and colleagues is gaining prominence in the field and a slowly accruing research base is beginning to demonstrate its utility.

The purpose of this course is to introduce delegates to the SAVRY. Using didactic, interactive and practical teaching methods, attendees will learn how to apply the tool in the context of the structured professional judgement paradigm. Thus, in addition to providing details about the risk and protective factors to be assessed, detailed guidance will be given on how to reach meaningful risk formulations, plausible risk scenarios and case-sensitive risk management plans. In addition to the skills acquisition training, this course will also explore, from a critical perspective, the utility of violence risk assessment in youth more broadly. Some key conceptual and developmental issues will also be discussed to ensure that risk assessment opinions meet best practice standards.