The impact of case formulation focussed consultation on criminal justice staff and their attitudes to work with personality disorder

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of a highly structured, formulation focused consultation process on knowledge and attitudes towards personality disorder and on perceived practice with personality disordered offenders. Consultation was delivered by the Yorkshire/Humber regional Pathway Development Service (PDS). This pilot study sought to inform the development of this service and the support offered to probation Trusts across Yorkshire/Humber to implement the national Personality Disorder Offender Pathway. Design/methodology/approach – Consultation was offered to a number of offender managers working in the Yorkshire/Humber region. The impact of the consultation on their knowledge and understanding of personality disorder in general was examined as was their attitudes to working with this population and their perceived confidence and competence in delivering supervision to each individual. Findings – The findings from this small pilot study would suggest that the structured format used by the Yorkshire PDS was helpful in enhancing the probation officers’ knowledge and understanding of personality disorder as well as their perceived confidence in and attitudes towards working with individuals with a personality disorder. Originality/value – The study indicates that the structured format used by the PDS is of value and may be applied to the support offered to probation Trusts across Yorkshire/Humber as they implement the community specification of the national Personality Disorder Offender Pathway.