Assessment in youth justice

Kerry Baker is based at the Centre for Criminology, University of Oxford, specialising in applied research on assessment practice, risk management and public protection. She is also an advisor to the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales. Gill Kelly and Bernadette Wilkinson are independent trainers working with practitioners and managers in youth justice, probation services and the secure estate. They run KWP Consultancy and are both Associate Lecturers at Birmingham University.

• Introduction; Part One: Professional practice in assessment and intervention planning: Essential foundations of assessment practice; Judgements and decision making; The knowledge base; Part Two: Tools and processes: Using assessment tools; Planning interventions; Reports; Communication and working with other agencies; Part Three: Skills and practice development: Skills in assessment; Developing assessment practice; Conclusion; Appendix: Assessment tools - additional references.

'Overall, the book is highly informative on both a theoretical and a practical level. It will be a real resource for social work students undertaking practice learning in youth offending teams and to social work practitioners who are contemplating moving into youth justice. All in all, this proved a thoroughly enjoyable read; it is a welcome addition to the literature on assessment in general and assessment in youth justice in particular.' British Journal of Social Work