AIM3 Assessment Process

The AIM 3 Assessment model incorporates new research and practice issues such as technology assisted sexual behaviours, and a change in practice towards the development of a model that does not determine risk simply as low, medium, or high.

The model provides guidance on the relevant information and how to analyse this to develop a profile of the young person, their sexual behaviours, their general functioning, and their context. Through case formulation, the young person's specific needs and risks are identified, leading to more targeted interventions to reduce the likelihood of a repetition of the harmful sexual behaviour.

The Aim 3 model allows assessment to be more fluid, capable of being updated and adapted as progress takes place, or significant new stressors or risks are added to the profile.

The AIM 3 model heavily supports utilising knowledge already gathered on a young person who has sexually harmed and using other assessments and analytical work to inform the AIM 3 assessment. For these reasons, the best placed persons to complete an AIM 3 assessment is the case holder, and any other professional involved in the case. This could be a support worker, education worker, mentor, or anyone else deemed suitable.

Only one person completing an AIM 3 assessment has to be trained in doing so and will lead the assessment and complete the relevant documentation.

The relevance and appropriateness of completing an AIM 3 assessment will be determined largely by Case Workers, Service Managers, Reviewing Officers, MAPPA coordinators and the Criminal Courts.

• The lead agency in the case shall be responsible for undertaking the AIM 3 assessment in the first instance;
• Where an assessment is requested to assist in Criminal Proceedings or where a young person is open to the Youth Offending Service (YOS) for a sexually harmful offence, the assessment will be led by a YOS case worker. Where a young person also has a Social Worker then the assessment shall be completed jointly. The lead agency will be responsible for undertaking the assessment, whether its Early Help, or any other department;
• The lead worker shall identify the most suitable professional to assist with the assessment;
• Any issues or barriers will be reported to the Lead workers Line Manager for escalation.

Working with Young People who sexually harm others, is a fundamental part of work undertaken by the service. It is therefore imperative to have a competent and adequately trained staff group across children's services to undertake assessments and to intervene appropriately.

A review of trained staff who have currency within the organisation will be made annually. This will establish if further training on AIM 3 is required. This will ensure a healthy pool of assessors are available at any given time to complete this work when the need arises and avoid any delay in the process.

Service Managers and trained staff across Children's services will work closely with the Workforce Learning & Development team on the timing, delivery, and staff attendance, regarding all future AIM 3 and harmful sexual behaviour training.

Click here for more information on the AIM3 Assessment Process.

See also: Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedure for Children who Present a Risk of Harm to Others.