Better lives,through better choices.

CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING

Initial Considerations 

What are some initial determinations in the case planning and clinical decision- process? 

  • Are all the children who were involved in the sexual behavior currently safe and supported,
  • What actions are needed to create and maintain safety and support for the children and family,
  • Is outpatient community based intervention indicated and, in the rare cases when more structured and intensive interventions are required, what is the least restrictive placement and treatment environment appropriate for the youth,
  • What treatment modules or interventions best fit the treatment needs of the youth, and
  • How to integrate developmental and cultural considerations in treatment and case planning.


Who is responsible for making decisions about the treatment and case planning?

Decision-making responsibilities will depend upon the professionals’ roles and responsibilities. 

Clinicians can inform child protection and juvenile justice personnel about relevant clinical risk and protective factors and treatment needs. Child welfare workers, juvenile probation officers and judges, are the professionals who are charged with determining how much risk society is willing to accept when youth present with problematic sexual behavior. They also determine whether out-of-home placement or involvement in the justice system is required. These same professionals determine when youth can be reunified with their families. 

KEY POINTS
1

Safety is the first priority in case planning and clinical decision making.
2

Assessments drive individualized treatment and case planning while determining if the sexual behaviors are normative or atypical and identifying contributing factors and intervention needs. 
3

Treatment planning and interventions ensure safety, address risk and protective factors, and other intervention needs using appropriate evidence based interventions.
4

The case planning and clinical decision making process can vary for children and teens- professionals must be aware of these differences as they relate to safety, placement, and treatment plans.