Call to reform young offender Asset assessments as they leave no space to identify speech, language and communication difficulties

Paul Maynard MP criticises the Asset form, which is used to determine sentencing plans.

"He said these forms are "structurally flawed" as they have no space to identify speech, language and communication difficulties." Children and Young People Now (2011)

Asset is a structured assessment tool used by Youth Offender Teams to inform court reports and to determine sentencing plans. It examines static factors that increase the risk of reoffending, such as criminal history, and to reduce this risk it considers protective factors such as extended support and offender attitude to reoffending. The score is then used to determine the type of sentence a young offender receives, but the assessment process leaves no space to identify speech, language and communication difficulties which could affect the score if the offender is unable to understand the questions.

The Youth Justice Board is reviewing this system with a view to making changes.

Further reading

Hansard
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110308/halltext/110308h0001.htm#11030849000471

CYP Now
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/Youth-Justice/1059223/MPs-call-reform-young-offender-speech-language-assessments/

ASSET
http://www.yjb.gov.uk/Publications/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=203&eP=

The Scottish Prison Service looking at ways of using the internet for on-line learning and assessment...
http://dyslexialincolnshire.blogspot.com/2010/07/minister-for-skills-lifelong-learning.html