What is AIM3?
It is an assessment framework designed to consider relevant targets for intervention in addition to quantifying risk and the levels of supervision; please note, it is not an actual risk assessment tool!
The AIM3 covers five domains:
(1) Sexual Behaviours (offence-specific), looking at: the nature and extent of this behaviour; the characteristics of victims; sexual aggression; the range of sexual knowledge, attitudes and interests.
(2) Non-Sexual Behaviours, measuring the following: general criminality that is
non-sexual in nature; non-sexual aggression and antisocial behaviour;
alcohol and drug uses; general behaviour as well as mental health and wellbeing.
(3) Developmental, looking at influences on these wide-ranging behaviours: trauma and victimisation; childhood and adolescent adversity; attachment; family functioning; health, intellectual and emotional functioning.
(4) Environmental/family, examining the effect of the environment and wider social and family context in which they live: stability and safety; parental or carer supervision; relationships and peer groups; education, employment and leisure.
(5) Self-Regulation, detailing how the individual functions in terms of their abilities to understand the impact of their behaviour and their self-regulation skills: responsibility; motivation and engagement; future perspective; problem solving; social competence
(Leonard and Hackett, 2019).
It is recommended that the AIM3 is used to review the progress a young person makes over time, with the intention to reduce the domains risk. The AIM3 can be utilised to aid individualised interventions for the individual and their family, allowing the young person to visualise their progress and plan the next steps.
Qualification: I undertook previous training in AIM, AIM2 and this has now been superseded. I have undertaken training by the AIM Project for AIM3 as an Advanced Practitioner. If you would like to know more about AIM3 please view their website http://www.newsite.aimproject.org.uk/