Occupational Therapy Risk Assessment in Forensic Mental Health Practice: An Exploration (Research) (Report‪)‬

Introduction There are guidelines for occupational therapy risk management, within which risk assessment is integrated (College of Occupational Therapists [COT] 2006). This provides a useful general framework for risk assessment because it includes identifying any hazards and potential risks, the potential for harm and what might be the consequences (COT 2006). Clinical risk assessments completed by various disciplines in 64 out of 67 forensic psychiatric units in the United Kingdom indicated no uniformity in the assessments used and inadequately developed tools, potentially causing a lack of continuity in care through the system (Kettles et al 2003). It was recommended that risk assessment should be standardised, drawing on a stronger research base for the current tools (Kettles et al 2003). This study was concerned with the specific requirements for occupational therapy risk assessment in forensic mental health settings.