Staff Perceptions on the Implementation of Structured Risk Assessment with the START:AV: Identifying Barriers and Facilitators in a Residential Youth Care Setting

Authors Tamara L.F. de Beuf, Corine de Ruiter, Vivienne de Vogel
Published in International Journal of Forensic Mental Health
Publication date 2020
Research groups Working with Mandated Clients
Type Article

Summary

An effective implementation approach is crucial for successful integration of structured risk assessment instruments into practice. This qualitative study explored barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability: Adolescent Version (START:AV) in a Dutch residential youth care service. Perceptions of staff members from various disciplines were gathered through focus group interviews at three consecutive occasions. After inductive coding of the interview extracts using thematic analysis, the identified codes were linked to the consolidated framework for implementation research. Through this framework, factors that influence an implementation project can be organized into multiple domains and constructs. In the present study, staff members described implementation barriers related to characteristics of the risk assessment instrument, staff, and the implementation process. In addition, features of the setting were frequently mentioned as hindering the implementation, such as hierarchy, culture, communication, as well as implementation climate and readiness for change. Staff members also identified multiple facilitators, such as experienced advantages of the START:AV compared to the previous risk assessment practice and positive beliefs about the instrument. The article concludes with recommendations for successful implementation of structured risk assessment instruments in forensic-clinical practice.

On this publication contributed

Language English
Published in International Journal of Forensic Mental Health
Key words START:AV; implementation determinants; risk assessment; consolidated framework for implementation research; focus groups
Digital Object Identifier 10.1080/14999013.2020.1756994

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