Standardised Measures

MEDIUM RISK

• • Risk factors apparent (or not all risk factors fully addressed)
• • Protective factors apparent – evidence of safety
• • Parents ABLE to demonstrate sustained capacity for actual change
• • Unlikely the abuse (harm) will occur/re-occur
• • Reunification possible
• • If parents can address all risk factors and maintain the change for at least six months the case can move to low risk, where it should remain for a further six months before closing
• • If parents are unable to address all risk factors but are making use if interventions to address them and protective factors are apparent the case should remain medium risk. As long as no new risk factors emerge or previous risk factors remerge that had previously been addressed.
• • If new risk factors emerge/previous risk factors remerge and parents are unable to show demonstrable capacity for change yet protective factors are apparent the case will move to high risk for further period or monitoring.

HIGHER RISK

• • Risk factors apparent (and risk factors not being addressed)
• • Protective factors apparent – evidence of safety
• • Parents UNABLE to demonstrate sustained capacity for actual change
• • Likely the abuse (harm) will occur/re-occur
• • Reunification not possible
• • If parents develop a capacity for actual change and begin to address risk factors and protective factors remain apparent this should be sustained for at least six months before the case can move to medium risk where it should remain for a further six months.
• • If parents remain high risk for six months without addressing risk factors the case should move to severe risk where legal proceedings will be instigated.
• • If protective factors are no longer apparent the case should move to severe risk where the child will be separated from their parents.