ABSTRACT
There are particular anxieties associated with community management of high harm personality disordered offenders. High profile inquiries arising from tragic cases of homicides, although intended to facilitate learning, have done little to decrease the fear of culpability for poor practice. Reviews of the findings from these inquiries therefore provide a good starting point, if we are to take a risk management approach which avoids repeating past mistakes (e.g. Crichton, 2011). These include failures of risk assessment/management, communication, liaison with external agencies, staff support/supervision and care planning. Recommendations for the future prevention of homicides included focusing on transition from in-patient to community, aligning the Care Programme Approach with risk and responding when a care plan breaks down (e.g. by assertive contact) (NCIS, 2006). Whilst learning from inquiries provides a helpful foundation for best practice, there have been calls to demystify the risk management process (Eastman, 1996). A recent best practice guide, although immensely helpful, may not be sufficient to implement a transparent and replicable process (Department of Health, 2007).
