Young high risk forensic populations

This chapter provides an overview of assessment and treatment approaches with young, high risk, forensic populations and places emphases on violent youth – those who commit serious offences such as assaults, robberies, weapons-related offences – and the intersection of research and clinical practice as applied to this population. In particular, we elaborate upon the linkages between assessment, treatment planning, and risk management within the context of the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model of human service delivery. We illustrate these principles applied to case conceptualisation in forensic assessment and treatment planning via the framework of the Violence Risk Scale-Youth Version (VRS-YV) and a hypothetical case example. Implications for the assessment of risk relevant change and its ties to risk management are also offered. Considerations when working with special populations, such as young people who present with features of juvenile psychopathy (e.g., callous and unemotional traits), female, and ethnic minority youth, will be discussed. Finally, we conclude by identifying clinical areas for further development (e.g., protective factors, clinically significant change) and recommendations for potential applications of research to practice.