HMPPS risk of serious harm guidance
A guidance document to support practitioners in their assessment and management of risk of harm across HMPPS.
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Public protection work is central to the work of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). High-quality public protection work can minimise the potential for risk of serious harm to victims and the public.
Accurate risk assessment and the skilled management of those individuals who pose a risk of harm to others is critical to all prison and probation work.
This new Risk of Serious Harm Guidance reviews former guidance documents (2009 guide and 2014 supplement), consolidating them into a single document. It presents similar concepts, in an easy to read and digestible format. We have added a new section on risk management planning to address the importance of taking clear focussed actions to manage the risks identified throughout the assessment.
The guidance document:
- aims to promote greater consistency in HMPPS’ approach to risk assessment and management
- draws together knowledge from recent Serious Further Offence and Domestic Homicide Reviews
- emphasises the importance of actuarial risk assessment tools
- provides guidance for writing risk management plans using the four pillars format
- provides desk aides to support operational staff undertaking risk assessment and creating risk management plans
- encourages staff to think about the impact of personal bias.
The guide to the four-step process of risk assessment will encourage staff in making reflective, logical and informed decisions about risk and help them use best practice in assessment.
The Risk Management Section uses the ‘Four Pillars’ of Risk Management structure, developed by Professor Hazel Kemshall of De Montfort University.
Updates to this page
Last updated 14 December 2023 + show all updates
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16 October 2023 Assessing Unconvicted Behaviour section added
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First published.