how can do-it profiler support south african correctional ......intranet use as well as tablet...
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How can Do-IT Profiler support South African Correctional Services?
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Do-IT Profiler is a screening and support tool that is currently being used in the UK prisons to support individuals on their rehabilitation journey to reintegrate into society.
The purpose of using Profiler is to provide a person centred, holistic screener to identify an individual’s strengths and barriers which enables targeted support.
Identifying and providing the right support whilst in prison, empowers the individual to take control of their lives. By knowing their strengths and areas for development enables the person to improve their skills and facilitates their growth.
By developing their potential whilst in prison, the individual is able to increase their chances of employment and social engagement therefore becoming a valued member of society which reduces the person’s risk of reoffending with the subsequent positive cost benefit on the economy.
The purpose of Do-IT Profiler in prisons
How can Do-IT Profiler increase the chances of employment?
Do-IT Profiler takes a whole person approach to screening and assessing the individual by identifying their skills, abilities and barriers through accessible screening and learning modules. Individuals in prison are assessed to identify their learning difficulties and disabilities, literacy and numeracy skills, mental health, well being
Do-IT Profiler provides the individual and staff working with them in prison, an individualised report identifying what skills and abilities he/she has that can be matched to current labour market intelligence. The report also identifies areas where the individual has challenges and provides personalised, practical care strategies for the individual and the correctional staff to be able to support them in braking down and managing their barriers.
Do-IT Profiler provides a range of learning modules that can support the individuals: literacy, numeracy and ICT
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Reducing Reoffending
Do-IT Profiler is first used with the individual when they arrive in the prison and can be used throughout the sentence. The individual completes three modules:
Do-IT Profiler can support the aim of reducing reoffending as once the individuals strengths and barriers have been identified, it allows the correctional staff/NGO staff to target what the individual needs support with and how their strengths can be built upon, therefore building confidence, valuing the individual and giving them self worth to find employment on release.
1. Personal Details
The Personal Details module captures self declared background information of the individual around the reducing reoffending pathways including:
▪ Offence Type
▪ Schooling
▪ Risk of suicide and self harm
▪ Family commitments
▪ Learning difficulties and disabilities
▪ Mental Health
▪ Physical health conditions
▪ Drug and Alcohol issues
▪ Nationality and Ethnicity.
3. The Way I Learn
The Way I Learn is an assessment that screens for Learning Difficulties including:
▪ Dyslexia
▪ Dyspraxia
▪ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD)
▪ Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
2. Knowledge and Skills Screener (KASS)
The Knowledge and Skills Screener is a cognitive assessment that screens for functional skills and identifies if there is a potential intellectual impairment. The assessment covers skills needed to function effectively day to day including:
▪ Vocabulary
▪ Time
▪ Matrices
▪ Money
▪ Alphabet Skills
▪ Functional Literacy
▪ Maths
Difficulty Profiler KASS Skills
Vocabulary skills Mild difficulties
Time Moderate difficulties
Matrices No difficulties
Money Moderate difficulties
Alphabet skills Moderate difficulties
Functional literacy Severe difficulties
Maths No difficulties
Extract from Learning Difficulties and Disabilities Report
Extract from Learning Difficulties and Disabilities Report
If an individual has the confidence to gain and sustain employment, the risk of reoffending is substantially reduced. Do-IT profiler provides a monitoring and tracking tool that can be used to review the progress of the individual whilst in prison and through the gate which can measure the effectiveness of the rehabilitative intervention.
Once the individual has completed the modules, the data is captured by the management information platform where data can be viewed and reported on live.
Data can be reviewed through a variety of mediums and interrogated on the Do-IT Management Information Platform by any question that is in the system.
Data can be presented at individual, groupand institutional levels.
An example of where background information is captured in bar chart form-Soweto Profiler Study (n=160)
Data capture
Social Engagement and Integration
Social engagement and integration following a period time spent incarcerated is difficult for the individual on release. As Do- It Profiler is a software-as-a-service solution, it is able to create assessments and modules to support the needs of the institution or organisation to support the social engagement and integration of the individual. Do-IT Profiler has developed modules on areas that impact on Social Engagement inclusive of assessing readiness for:
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Restorative Justice
The assessment of these areas allows the correctional services staff to provide the right intervention to support the individual with the planning effectively for social reintegration prior to release. Do-IT Profiler is currently used in the UK to improve social engagement in other sectors alongside the prisons including Youth Justice, work and health, and education; and is currently being used in South Africa on tablet standalone versions in schools and colleges
Victim Awareness
Family Links
Mental Health
Well being
Cost benefit to the economy
From the utilisation of Do-IT Profiler throughout the prison, it allows the individual to use their time effectively to support their rehabilitation.
It builds their confidence and skill set to be equipped to find employment on release.
Therefore the cost benefit is two fold: firstly, because the individual is now able to gain employment which adds to building the South African economy; and secondly because the individual will not be in prison, therefore reducing the cost resulting from incarceration.
The ripple effect is that the individual becomes a member of society and breaks the reoffending cycle that could be prevalent within a family context i.e family members becoming engaged in crime because the criminal behaviour has been role modelled.
What is Do-IT Profiler?
The Do-IT Profiler is software-as-a-service developed by Do-It Solutions Ltd to help identify skills, abilities, strength and weaknesses, monitor and evaluate over time, and offer support and recommendations based on data analysis at individual and institutional levels.
Key aspects of the tool are:
Measurement – Uses screening tools and cognitive assessments, along with self-reporting to collect data. This can include information from the individual and staff.
Evaluation – Uses complex algorithms developed with sector leaders
Reporting – Provides individual feedback and advice at for the individual and the staff.
Management – Offers extensive management capability at individual and organisational levels
Originally developed as an online service, the company has developed robust offline versions for intranet use as well as tablet standalone versions.
Testimonials
"Do-IT Profiler is an important tool in assessing how best to support offenders with learning difficulties and disabilities. It has been integral to the work we have been doing here at Parc to train staff who support individuals in this area.”
Lisette Saunders, Deputy Director of HMP YOI Parc Prison G4S
A screening tool was administered to all prisoners and a score was generated that gave an indication as to where a prisoner had a high level of need, and in which areas these needs were concentrated. Where a high level of need was identified, this prompted e a case review between the prisoner, a prisoner mentor, residential and activities staff and a learning disability nurse, from which a supported living plan was generated, identifying how these needs were to be best dealt with. We were told:
“Althoughthere isa financialcost in screeningall prisonersontheir inductionintotheprison, thecost is worth it due toreductions in the useof segregationand theuseof controland restraint.”
A joint inspection of the treatment of offenders with learning disabilities within the criminal justice system– phase two in custody and the community March 2015:27
“Only one prison, had a process for screening all prisoners which took place during the induction stage. The screening tool used was not a specific learning disability tool but asked social, communication, literacy, numeracy, attention and coordination questions. It also provided guidance for staff working with vulnerable prisoners with poor communication and intellectualskills.”
Good practice example: HMP/YOI Parc
Other areas of note include:• Author of Adult DCD/Dyspraxia checklist.
Only recommended checklist in European Guidelines 2016. for DCD/Dyspraxia.
• She has sat on on strategic government bodies e.g. DWP, WG, Autism strategy task force
• International expert, researcher and clinician in learning difficulties for more than 20 years
• Keynote speaker at international conferences/webinars/post grad. courses to more than 15,000 people
• Published 100 peer reviewed papers and 8 books in the field, translated into 5 languages
• Patron and advisor to UK and international charities including BDA,ADDIS, Dyspraxia Foundation and Chair of Movement Matters in UK
Professor Amanda Kirby MBBS, MRCGP, PhD
Amanda is co-founder and CEO of Do-IT.She has an international reputation in the field of developmental disordersand is a qualified GP and holds a part time chair at the University of South Wales.
Dr Ian Smythe PhD
Ian is co-founder, COO and Technical Director of Do-IT, leading on the development of assessments in the field of cognitive psychology, as well as state-of-the-art psychometric analysis using data collected within Profiler.. His experience of running large scale EU-funded projects, particularly those related to literacy and dyslexia, also enables him to ensure delivery of Profiler in diverse languages is fit-for-purpose. Before Do-IT, he built an international reputation as a expert in dyslexia and in particular the difficulties of multilingual individuals.
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Other areas of note include:• Specific expertise in literacy assessment, including dyslexia, following on from his PhD which focused on
cognitive skills that lead to literacy difficulties in Brazilian Portuguese, Hungarian and Chinese as well as English and Welsh.
• Author of Dyslexia Screening Tool used by BDA.(Smythe I, Everatt J. 2001. Adult Checklist. http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/files/Adult%20Checklist.pdf (April 20, 2011)
Gerald Williamson
• Research expert in social, educational and human sciences
• Specialist consultant and trainer to various Higher Education Institutions in South Africa
• Training accredited with various professional bodies in South Africa
• Development consultant in the field of learning and dealing with barriers to learning.
CEO - SA
Gerald Williamson (BA,HDE, MA (ClinPsych)Gerald is the CEO of Shaping the Learner, the African partner to Do-IT . He is the is the driver of numerous Profiler projects. He is a Clinical Psychologist, researcher, assessment specialist and educator
Profiler Implementing Agency Africa
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Examples of Publications
In the early development of the system, a paper was published describing the development of the screening
tools in Forensic Update with Kirby and Smith.
Professor Amanda Kirby and Lisette Saunders (Deputy Governor) from HMP Parc, Bridgend published a paper
on the ‘Embedded model’ in 2015 in JIDOB.
Kirby,A,Saunders,L, (2015) “A case study of an embedded system in prison to support individuals with learning
difficulties and disabilities in the criminal justice system”, Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending
Behaviour, Vol. 6 Iss: 2, pp.112 – 124
A paper has been published in the Prison Service Journal (2018) on use of computer systems in prisons for
identification of LDD in 2018.
Kirby A, Gibbon,H (2018). Rationale and use of computer screening tools in prisons for people with learning
difficulties and disabilities.Vol.235. Pp23-31.
https://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/publications/psj/prison-service-journal-235
Some anonymised data sets have recently been release by our partners in order to start to understand the
complex relationships that exist in the histories of offenders. With large enough data sets now available (more
than 15,000 users so far), Profiler can now start to investigate some of the issues raised, without the need to
gather additional information. An early exploration of the data is showing the ability to identify cumulative
adversity i.e. considering the association between early childhood adversity and current functioning together to
identify who may be at risk of future homelessness, mental health challenges etc.
http://doitprofiler.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/offending_settings-bringing_the_pieces_together_end-
to-end.pdf
Other articles include:
Smith, J. and Kirby, A. ( 2006 ), " Identification and implication of specific learning difficulties in a prison population ", Forensic Update , Vol. 84, pp. 15 – 9.
Kirby A (2015) Guest editorial. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, Vol. 6, 2,
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/JIDOB-10-2015-0043
Kirby, A (2016) Using data driven decision systems to deliver person-centred approaches in developmental
disorders: one example of complexity – the criminal justice system. Hilary Place Papers, Leeds University,
3rd edition.
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Additional references
Kirby A, Edwards L, Sugden D A and Rosenblum S (2010) The development and standardization of the Adult
Developmental Co-Ordination Disorders/Dyspraxia Checklist (ADC). Research in Developmental Disabilities,
31(1),131-139.
Smythe.I.Adult Dyslexia Checklist. http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/files/Adult%20Checklist.pdf (April 20, 2011)
Kirby,A.Adult Dyspraxia/DCD Checklist: http://psychology.research.southwales.ac.uk/research/developmental-
psychology/amanda-kirby/
Barnett,AL ;Hill,E.L, Kirby,A., Sugden,D.A. (2014)Adaptation and Extension of the European Recommendations (EACD) on Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) for the UK context(doi:10.3109/01942638.2014.957430) Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatricshttp://informahealthcare.com/eprint/pFWzmdr3CKGVqANkGdC3/full
Kirby A (2013) Benchmarking report for Welsh Assembly Government on Dyslexia and SPLD http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/publications/researchandevaluation/research/literacyreview/?skip=1&lang=en
Kirby, A., Edwards, L., Sugden, D. A. & Rosenblum, S. (2010). The development and standardization of the Adult Developmental Co-Ordination Disorders/Dyspraxia Checklist (ADC). Research in Developmental Disabilities, 31(1),131-139. Kirby, A., Salmon, G. & Edwards, L. (2007) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and developmental co-ordination difficulties: knowledge and practice among child and adolescent psychiatrists and paediatricians. Psychiatric Bulletin, 31, 336-338.
Salmon, G. & Kirby, A. (2007). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: new ways of working in primary care. Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 12 (4), 160-163.
Further articles and references:
http://doitprofiler.com/about-us/science-and-media-library/published-articles/
