Development of a behavioural assessment tool for use in forensic mental health services
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

Development of a behavioural assessment tool for use in forensic mental health services

Bronwen Davies , Clinical psychologist, Department of Learning Disability Psychology, Llanfrechfa Grange, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Cwmbran, Wales
Kathy Lowe , Service development consultant, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Delivery Unit, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Bridgend, Wales
Sara Morgan , Clinical psychologist, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Delivery Unit, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Bridgend, Wales
Hannah John-Evans , Trainee clinical psychologist, South Wales School of Clinical Psychology, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, Wales
John Griffiths , Nurse lecturer, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Bridgend, Wales
Luke Tarmey , Placement student, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales
Julie Fitoussi , Placement student, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales

This article presents the Forensic Functional Assessment Measure (FFAM): a tool to assess the triggers and functions of behaviours that challenge in a medium-secure mental health setting. The measure was designed by a group of practitioners in the field who were implementing positive behaviour support (PBS). The aim was to replace other widely used tools that were designed for use with a learning disability population.

The FFAM is a semi-structured interview tool and informant-based assessment. Preliminary testing of the tool was carried out by four staff members with seven service users. Findings indicate that the FFAM successfully identified triggers and functions of behaviours that challenge and that it could be used to develop PBS plans. This was a pilot study focusing on a small sample; additional research is required to determine the reliability and validity of the FFAM.

Mental Health Practice. doi: 10.7748/mhp.2019.e1350

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software

Correspondence

bronwen.davies2@wales.nhs.uk

Conflict of interest

None declared

Davies B, Lowe K, Morgan S et al (2019) Development of a behavioural assessment tool for use in forensic mental health services. Mental Health Practice. doi: 10.7748/mhp.2019.e1350

Published online: 16 July 2019

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