Assessing risk in services for people with intellectual disability

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make recommendations for practitioners on risk assessment in relation to people with intellectual disability.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors summarise research in the area of risk assessment in order to recommend a practical approach for practitioners working in the field of intellectual disability psychiatry.

Findings

Risk assessment for the purpose of predicting risk in an individual is not likely to be of value in clinical settings. The use of structured clinical judgement does however provide a comprehensive structure for considering relevant risk factors, developing an overall formulation relating to a specific risk and devising a risk management plan.

Research limitations/implications

Much of the evidence is extrapolated from research with people without an intellectual disability.

Practical implications

The use of structured clinical judgement is advocated as a useful tool for developing a risk management plan for practitioners working with people with intellectual disability in secure and community settings. The issues of training and the interface between community and security settings are explored.

Originality/value

The paper provides more clarity about the use of such tools in this population.

Citation

Yacoub, E. and Latham, R. (2012), "Assessing risk in services for people with intellectual disability", Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Vol. 6 No. 6, pp. 301-307. https://doi.org/10.1108/20441281211285946