Assessment, planning interventions and supervision and the scaled approach The evidence base for assessment, planning interventions and

Systematic assessment is central to work in youth justice. Currently Asset is the main assessment tool used in the youth justice system. Asset is often portrayed as emblematic of the youth justice reforms and has consequently drawn much fire from critics. Equally the Youth Justice Board has steadfastly emphasised its importance and the introduction of the scaled approach has again underlined the centrality of assessment processes. While much of the debate can seem irrelevant to the day-to-day practical realities facing practitioners, it is nevertheless essential that they appreciate the empirical basis for Asset and reflect on the arguments of its proponents rather than just the ‘critics . . . [who] have the louder voice’ (Case 2010: 91).