Through open questioning using the PSNI Statement of Fact as referenced Mr M shared his perception of the offence incident and gave this author an indication of how he perceives himself as cared for by his family while also acknowledging that his behaviours can cause stress and pressure in the household. This recognises that he is at times pulled in opposite directions by the closed boundaries of his family’s expectations on behaviour and his more open boundaries in terms of substance misuse, which is a feature of using Systems theory to understand the individual in their environment. This identified a need in terms of housing (he had recently moved to a hostel) and also a risk in that Mr M struggled to conform within the family environment and was prepared to use physical force to obtain drugs. It evidences poor self-control, propensity to take risks and poor decision making. Mr M was able to identify substance misuse as the trigger for his offending behaviours underpinned by past trauma which has negatively affected his mental health. Mr M has been targeted by paramilitaries/drug dealers over the years and would consider himself to be under threat from same.

The risk taking that is evidenced by the index offences was further supported by Mr M’s Criminal Record which showed 11 previous assaults, 2 of which were serious and 7 Assault on Police. Mr M clearly struggles with authority and confirming to social standards. Furthermore his breaches of sentences in the past give concern for the future of interventions and attempts to divert him from negative patterns of behaviours.

Within desistance theory and social exclusion theories we can see that community and socioeconomic factors are relevant to a prosocial lifestyle. Mr M’s home community and the hostel where he moved to would be considered to be deprived urban areas. This level of deprivation can contribute to feelings of never being able to achieve in life or maintain any positive progress made. Mr M’s presentation in the assessment was somewhat resigned to his perception of his place in the community and the negative associations. I ensured that I used affirmations to encourage confidence and trust, focusing not only on the risks but the strengths of Mr M. An example of this is where I acknowledged and reflected back what he was saying abou