GRiST training for the Kolvin Service

eGRiST delivered a training session to Durham County Council and Aycliffe Secure Centre practitioners following their adoption of GRiST.

The Kolvin Service, an adolescent forensic mental health service, started to use the GRiST service for risk assessment in February, following an introductory session (read more). Today the eGRiST team visited the Aycliffe Secure Centre, which is operated by Durham County Council, to train Kolvin Service practitioners in the effective use of GRiST for risk assessment.

GRiST assesses five main mental health risks: suicide, self harm, self neglect, vulnerability, and harm to others. After an assessment, the service guides practitioners to produce a structured risk formulation, helping the clinician and the service user to better understand their risks, the factors that affect them, and the factors that protect against them. Finally, it facilitates the production of a risk management plan.

Feedback from practitioners who use GRiST has influenced the development of training, and eGRiST seeks to disseminate information on best practice through training sessions. For example, some services use GRiST not just as an assessment, but also an intervention. Practitioners work through the assessment with service users, using the intuitive Mind Map interface to select issues of concern. Problems and possible solutions can be discussed throughout the assessment to develop a better, mutual understanding.

The training session was well-received, and we hope it will promote the use of GRiST to its full potential, providing the best possible outcomes for service users.