NCJ Number
212198
Date Published
2004
Length
100 pages
Annotation
This evaluation examined how the AIM (Assessment, Intervention, and Moving On) assessment procedures have influenced intervention for youth who display sexually harmful behavior, with a focus on Greater Manchester, England.
Abstract
The AIM framework specifies 10 steps that assist practitioners in collecting and analyzing information that is relevant to the needs and strengths of a juvenile offender. AIM intends to result in a multidisciplinary and holistic assessment and intervention plans tailored to the individual offender. This evaluation focused on the use and effectiveness of the multiagency approach promoted by AIM; the usefulness of AIM as a screening tool; how AIM's 10-steps were used in practice; and how the AIM assessment impacted youth and their families/caregivers. The evaluator observed three assessments that consisted of interviews with the family and the youth. A meeting between a youth offending team and school representative to obtain information for the assessment was also observed. At the end of the evaluation process, youth who had been assessed by AIM between 1 year and 18 months prior to its conclusion were monitored for reconvictions. Although the evaluation found that the AIM assessment was still not fully embedded in all organizations, the AIM project has achieved the overall objective of developing clear, consistent agreements and working practices regarding how professionals respond to youth who display sexually harmful behavior. Interagency cooperation has increased under the AIM protocol. Six recommendations for improving AIM's implementation pertain to coordination of the assessment, the quality of the report based on the assessment, improved guidance on intervention and expected outcomes, assessments for youth in dual or temporary environments, criteria for measuring outcomes, and training to refresh and renew staff skills. Extensive tables and figures and 61 references