Assessment
Onset
The Onset referral and assessment framework was designed by the Centre for Criminology, University of Oxford for the YJB. After being pre-tested by two pilot Youth Inclusion and Support Panels (YISPs) (Nottingham City and Knowsley), it was piloted by all 13 pilot YISPs.
Onset promotes the YJB’s prevention strategy by helping to identify risk factors to be reduced and protective factors to be enhanced. It also provides information which might be helpful in selecting appropriate interventions for those identified as needing early intervention.
When collated, the information on Onset can be used for monitoring, as well as targeting specific sub-groups where applicable, or providing progress data to steering groups. The new prevention counting rules require all YJB-funded prevention programmes to use Onset as the basis for their referral and assessment mechanisms.
Onset is a four stage process:
- consent
- referral and verification
- assessment (including Over to YOU! child and parents'/carers' self-assessment)
- planning, action and review.
Every prevention team within a YOT was sent a free copy of Onset in August 2006. Click to order additional copies from our Publications area for £10.
Forms
See below for a list of downloadable replacement Onset forms. Note that all of the following documents open in new windows.
Referral and screening
Verification
Assessment
Over to YOU!
Risk of serious harm to others
Intervention plan
Onset training
A booklet and CD designed to train practitioners in the use of Onset is available to buy for £1.75 from the Publications area. The booklet discusses the wider issues you need think about before, during and after filling in Onset forms, while the CD is designed to further develop practitioners’ and managers’ knowledge of Onset, and their assessment skills.
Onset and the common assessment framework
There are ongoing discussions between the YJB and the DfES about Onset’s links with the common assessment framework (CAF). Click to read more about
CAF.