Assessing the needs of young people
During their first week, each young person meets with the Head of Therapy to help them settle in and begin building a sense of safety and trust. This initial meeting provides a chance to explore any worries or needs, visit the therapy suite (if they haven’t during an initial visit), and talk about what therapy is – including how it may differ from any previous experiences. It also helps us thoughtfully match the young person with the therapist who will support them throughout their stay.
Assessment of Therapeutic Need and Risk of Harmful Sexual Behaviour
Within the first twelve to sixteen weeks of a young person’s placement at Apple Orchard, a comprehensive assessment is carried out to evaluate both therapeutic needs and the risk of further harmful sexual behaviour. This assessment draws on a range of psychometric tools and evidence-based risk assessment frameworks, each carefully selected for their relevance to working with young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour
Psychometric testing is used not only to inform the initial assessment but also to provide measurable indicators of engagement and progress throughout therapy. Every assessment is tailored to the unique needs, strengths, and risks of the individual.
At the conclusion of this assessment period, a detailed report is produced. This outlines the young person’s therapeutic needs, level of risk, and suitability for ongoing intervention.
Therapy reports are provided for each bi-annual statutory review to keep all relevant agencies fully informed, and therapists also attend these reviews.
As the young person nears the end of their placement, an updated assessment of risk and need is completed to support planning for future care or transition, offering a clear picture of progress made and outlining recommendations for future support.
Finally, an End of Placement Summary brings together the therapeutic journey of the young person during their stay with Apple Orchard.
Risk Matrix
Every six months, a multidisciplinary team meets to review and update a dynamic risk and needs profile for each young person. This collaborative process involves evaluating a range of risk and protective factors to ensure a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of each individual’s progress and ongoing support needs. Areas considered include sexual behaviour, therapeutic engagement, socialisation, communication, and levels of compliance. This structured approach helps inform planning, intervention, and risk management across the service.
Note: There are opportunities for the therapy team to provide assessment to young people not living at Apple Orchard. Please get in touch to explore this further.
