Risk Formulation: A Qualitative Study of Practitioner Experiences

The aim of the current study was to explore practitioners’ experiences of risk formulation in forensic practice contexts. Using purposive and snowball sampling, ten forensic practitioners were recruited, and remote semi-structured interviews conducted. Using template analysis, five themes were identified: ‘<i>Defining Risk Formulation</i>’, ‘<i>A Responsive Flexible Approach</i>’, ‘<i>Where’s the Evidence for Risk Formulation</i>’, ’<i>The Learning Journey</i>’ and ‘<i>Roles and Responsibilities</i>’. Findings demonstrate how forensic practitioners view risk formulation as a key aspect of their role, operating within a framework of shared understanding. Furthermore, it was evident that the process for developing skills and knowledge in risk formulation varies, and that, in the absence of established feedback channels, practitioners use informal feedback mechanisms to validate their risk formulations. These findings demonstrate that whilst there is evidence of shared understanding and consistency in practise, this does not appear to be underpinned by a consistently implemented set of practitioner guidelines. Implications for practice and further research are discussed.