Offender Personality Disorder Pathway: Evaluation of Team Consultation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the findings of a service evaluation project assessing the impact of team consultation to criminal justice staff working with personality disordered offenders.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative design using content analysis of focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews.

Findings

Criminal justice staff report increased awareness and understanding, use of a person-centred approach, development of formulation skills and defensible practice following team consultation.

Practical implications

This paper will be of interest to practitioners who offer and/or receive consultation for work with offenders with personality disorder. Suggested changes to team consultation formats may be of interest to services involved with the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway.

Originality/value

This paper contributes towards the emerging literature on the role of consultation and formulation on workforce development for individuals with personality disorder. It also contributes to the evaluation of the services offered by this specialist team as they support probation Trusts across Yorkshire/Humber to support the community specification of the national Offender Personality Disorder Pathway.

Citation

McMullan, E., Ramsden, J. and Lowton, M. (2014), "Offender Personality Disorder Pathway: Evaluation of Team Consultation", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 185-195. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-12-2013-0041