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Is Asset Really an Asset? Assessment of Young Offenders in Practice (From What Works in Probation and Youth Justice: Developing Evidence-Based Practice, P 70-87, 2004, Ros Burnett and Colin Roberts, eds. -- See NCJ-207633)

NCJ Number
207638
Author(s)
Kerry Baker
Date Published
2004
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses the development and use of "Asset," an assessment tool introduced in the United Kingdom for use in the reformed youth justice system.
Abstract
One of the first initiatives of the newly formed Youth Justice Board (YJB) in 1998 was to commission the design of a risk/need assessment tool for use with juvenile offenders ages 10-17. This tool was intended to provide a common framework for assessing practice within the new multidisciplinary Youth Offending Teams (YOT's). The intent was to make this tool different from those used with adults in reflecting the particular risks and needs of juvenile offenders. This tool, called "Asset," consists of a core asset profile, which includes some static factors (criminal history) but focuses on dynamic factors; the final warning asset, a shorter version of the core profile; "What do YOU think?" -- a self-assessment form; the risk of serious harm form, which determines whether a juvenile poses a risk of serious harm to others; bail asset, which assesses whether a juvenile should be remanded to custody or receive bail; and the intervention plan, which links assessment findings to an intervention plan. This chapter considers Asset's predictive accuracy, reliability, and measurement of change over time, as well as its explanation of assessment conclusions, planning interventions, open and transparent practice, and resource management. In addition, the author considers whether it is achieving what was required of it and its broader impact on practice and performance. Based on the evidence currently available, the author concludes that Asset provides comprehensive coverage of key risk and protective factors and indicates the likely risk of reconviction. Offenders benefit from having higher quality assessments and tailored intervention plans. 9 notes and 26 references