Circles South West provides AIM3 Assessments for Young People who have engaged in Harmful Sexual Behaviour
Since September 2024, CSW has been commissioned by Local Authorities to complete 3 x AIM3 Assessments for young people who have engaged in Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB). We have 3 qualified, experienced staff who can provide these specialist assessments.
The AIM3 Model is based on a clear theoretical framework and evidence base. It identifies a young person’s strengths (protective factors) and concerns (risk factors) across the following 5 ‘domains’:
(i) Sexual Behaviour
(ii) Non-Sexual Behaviour
(iii) Developmental
(iv) Environmental / Family
(v) Self-Regulation
Each domain considers a range of factors that have been identified as presenting a concern or strength for future HSB. There are different AIM3 Assessment tools for different ages and behaviours (under 12s / Adolescents / Tech-Assisted HSB). The current (2019) AIM3 for Adolescents was written by Simon Hackett (Professor of Child Abuse & Neglect at Durham University) & Marcella Leonard (AIM Core Associate).
Two qualified AIM3 Assessors co-assess each young person through 2-3 face to face interviews with the young person. They also meet with Parents/Carers, Social Care and Education (via Teams meetings and/ or phone calls).
With reference to the AIM3 Assessment Handbook, co-assessors then complete the AIM3 Assessment Framework and identify any gaps in information which they then attempt to fill through gathering further information.
Each of the five domains has five ‘factors’ within it – each of which are scored 0, 2 or 4: 0 = strength, 2 = some concerns, 4 = significant concerns
This gives an overall domain score out of 20 and these scores are then plotted on a graph.
Scores are accorded colours: 0-4 = Green, 6-12 = Amber and 14-20 = Red.
A full assessment report is then prepared including recommendations for intervention and support, based upon the domain scores.
Given the amount of work involved, AIM3 assessments typically take between 3-4 months to complete. Referrers are reminded that they represent a snapshot in time and must be regularly reviewed (at least every 6 months) in order to capture changes that will affect the young person’s likelihood of engaging in future HSB.
For further information or to commission an AIM3 assessment please contact us via our website or at info@circlessw.org.uk
