There are a number of ways to trigger a neighbourhood assessment. Below we outline the options.
Professional knowledge of events
Professionals' knowledge of a neighbourhood often triggers a neighbourhood assessment. For example, when practitioners respond to serious incidents where young people have been harmed, or after sharing historical knowledge among different partners about a location of concern.
Extra-Familial Harm Panels
Many areas have a panel to discuss harm outside the home. Even if the agenda is to discuss individual young people, locations are sometimes identified and themes can emerge about the places where young people are known to spend time and are vulnerable to exploitation. If these links are made, it can lead to questions about what is happening in that context and trigger a context assessment about a neighbourhood location or a peer group.
Other assessments
During other contextual work involving young people harmed outside the home, locations can be identified as needing their own assessment. For example, if during a peer assessment a location where young people are at risk is identified, this could trigger a neighbourhood assessment alongside the peer assessment.