Training in Structured Professional Judgement Risk Assessment Tools

HCR-20, SARA, RSVP

Approved by the British Psychological Society Learning Centre for the purposes of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

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Course information

This course aims to provide forensic professionals with a clear understanding of the nature of the structured professional judgement (SPJ) approach to risk assessment and how this is used specifically within the assessment of general violence, sexual violence and intimate partner violence.

The SPJ approach to risk assessment utilises a set of guidelines for the collation and evaluation of information relevant to a pre-identified number of risk factors (although additional risk factors can be considered) for each offending domain. Rather than adopting an actuarial assessment approach, whereby the statistical likelihood of future offending is calculated, the SPJ approach combines an appraisal of risk factors that are present and relevant to the individual and their offending behaviours, and, through incorporating formulation and scenario planning, the practitioner is then able to identify the nature of risk posed by the individual on several dimensions (likelihood, imminence, severity and frequency).

The SPJ approach also combines the assessment of risk with the development of risk management strategies designed specifically to address the identified relevant risk factors in combination with the formulation and scenario planning. Consequently, the SPJ approach enables the practitioner to engage with defensible decision making when devising risk management plans.

These risk assessment tools are commonly used by forensic psychologists and other forensic and mental health professionals to assess risk and develop risk management plans for medium to high risk adult offenders.

Training in these tools is delivered in two parts: the first provides an overview of the SPJ approach (1 day) and the second provides specific training in the relevant tool(s). These sections are outlined below.

Structured Professional Judgement

Trainees must complete a day’s training on the SPJ approach before they can attend training for a specific tool (outline below). The SPJ approach has five important stages which will be outlined in the training: collection and evaluation of case material, identification of present and relevant risk factors, formulation, scenario planning and risk management. The training will introduce each of these elements and trainees will have an opportunity to develop their skills in relation to these elements through the use of mock case studies.

HCR-20 Violence Risk Assessment Scheme (Webster, Douglas, Eaves & Hart, 1997)

This is a 20-item risk assessment tool for assessing risk of future general violence in male and female offenders aged 18 or over. It can be used to examine the risk of violence posed by individuals either within institutional settings or in the community through the use of formulation and scenario planning. Aside from simply identifying risk, the HCR-20 is used most effectively to inform risk management strategies. In order to use the tool it is advised that users have expertise in individual assessment and a thorough knowledge of the violence and risk literatures.

The training will outline and define the 20 risk factors included within the tool, and demonstrate how these are used within the SPJ approach. Trainees will have opportunities to use the principles developed in training on mock case studies. The HCR-20 manual will be provided as part of this training for each trainee. The HCR-20 is in the process of being updated and this training will provide trainees with the current manual (version 2) but will also provide information about the changes and updates that will appear in version 3 when it is published.

More information on the HCR-20 from violence-risk.com

Risk of Sexual Violence Protocol (Hart, Kropp, & Laws, with Klaver, Logan, & Watt, 2003)

The Risk of Sexual Violence Protocol (RSVP) is a 22-item risk assessment tool for the assessment of future sexual violence in offenders aged 18 and over. Using formulation and scenario planning the RSVP can be used to identify the nature of risk for sexual violence posed and develop risk management strategies. In order to use the tool it is advised that users have expertise in individual assessment and a thorough knowledge of the sexual offending and risk literatures.

The training will outline and define the 22 risk factors included within the tool, and demonstrate how these are used within the SPJ approach. Trainees will have opportunities to use the principles developed in training on mock case studies. The RSVP manual will be provided as part of this training for each trainee.

Spouse Abuse Risk Assessment (Kropp, Hart, Webster & Eaves, 1995)

The Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA) is a 20-item risk assessment tool for the assessment of future intimate partner violence that can be used with men and women aged 18 or over. In using the structured professional judgement approach the SARA enables the formulation of risk management plans through the use of formulation and scenario planning. In order to use the tool it is advised that users have expertise in individual assessment and a thorough knowledge of the domestic violence and risk literatures.