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Clinical opinions of structured risk assessments for forensic child protection: The development of a clinically relevant device

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  • Bolton, Annalese
  • Lennings, Chris

Abstract

Structured risk assessments are well established and outperform unaided judgement in most forensic fields, yet there has been little uptake of structured assessments in Australian forensic child protection. The reasons for such limited uptake are unknown. To address this, this study trained five independent senior clinicians contracted by the Children's Court to use three structured approaches: 1) an Actuarial approach measuring static factors, 2) a Contextual/Dynamic approach measuring dynamic factors and, 3) a combination of the two measures via a proposed risk matrix model. Following training, clinicians applied the approaches to 30 vignettes (based upon actual restoration cases), and their perceptions of the clinical utility of the approaches were measured via questionnaires. Clinician's opinions of the three approaches were generally positive, suggesting that structured risk assessments have clinical utility for forensic child protection cases. Alternative explanations for the limited uptake are discussed. Of the three approaches the Combined was viewed most favourably, followed by the Contextual/Dynamic, and finally Actuarial.

Suggested Citation

  • Bolton, Annalese & Lennings, Chris, 2010. "Clinical opinions of structured risk assessments for forensic child protection: The development of a clinically relevant device," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(10), pages 1300-1310, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:32:y:2010:i:10:p:1300-1310
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rittner, Barbara, 2002. "The use of risk assessment instruments in child protective services case planning and closures," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 189-207, March.
    2. Shlonsky, Aron & Wagner, Dennis, 2005. "The next step: Integrating actuarial risk assessment and clinical judgment into an evidence-based practice framework in CPS case management," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 409-427, April.
    3. Arad-Davidzon, Bilhah & Benbenishty, Rami, 2008. "The role of workers' attitudes and parent and child wishes in child protection workers' assessments and recommendation regarding removal and reunification," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 107-121, January.
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    5. Fuller, Tamara L., 2005. "Child safety at reunification: A case-control study of maltreatment recurrence following return home from substitute care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(12), pages 1293-1306, December.
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    Cited by:

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    2. de Kwaadsteniet, Leontien & Bartelink, Cora & Witteman, Cilia & ten Berge, Ingrid & van Yperen, Tom, 2013. "Improved decision making about suspected child maltreatment: Results of structuring the decision process," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 347-352.
    3. Vanderfaeillie, Johan & Borms, Dorien & Teunissen, M.S.L. & Gypen, Laura & Van Holen, Frank, 2023. "Reasons used by Flemish foster care workers in family reunification decision making," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).

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