SCIL (Screener for intelligence and mild intellectual disability)

Netherlands probation service

The SCIL is a test to identify suspected mild intellectual disability (LVB). The result is calculated using an algorithm. The SCIL helps probation workers to quickly see whether communication and treatment should be adapted for a person with (suspected) LVB. Examples: extra guidance during community service or adapted counselling.

Last change on 15th of December 2025, at 12:27 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0

• Publication category: Impactful algorithms
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• Status: In use

General information

Theme

Law

Begin date

2021-07

Contact information

[e-mail]

Link to source registration

https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12310

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The SCIL helps the probation service to understand whether persons who come into contact with the probation service may have a mild intellectual disability. This is important to match the person's needs. Adjustments can be made in the way the person is treated, use of language and the need for (extra) support while going through the probation service. This is important at every stage of the probation process. First and foremost, to be able to explain well to the person what the probation service does and can do for the person. But also when giving advice, it is important to know whether there might be a mild intellectual disability. In this advice, the probation worker describes the factors associated with the delinquent behaviour and estimates the risk of recidivism. The advice states whether, and if so which, interventions the probation worker considers necessary to influence, control and contribute to the client's resocialisation risk. The possible presence of a mild intellectual disability is taken into account and knowledge of this contributes to writing a feasible and workable recommendation that takes into account the client's capabilities and, if necessary, allows for in-depth diagnostics. Also during the supervision phase, it is important to know whether a mild intellectual disability is suspected in order to use understandable communication in contact with the person and to be able to deploy appropriate support during the supervision process.

The probation organisations in the Netherlands use the SCIL in a uniform way, including the institutions of Stichting Verslavingsreclassering GGZ, Reclassering Nederland and Stichting Leger des Heils Jeugdbescherming & Reclassering.

Considerations

Research shows that there are many people in the Netherlands with mild intellectual disabilities who are not known to have it. Because you cannot see it directly from them (even trained social workers cannot) and because they themselves sometimes do not know it either, they are often not taken into account enough. When these individuals come into contact with the justice and probation services, misunderstandings can arise with unpleasant consequences for the individuals themselves. For example, a person may appear uncooperative and fail to keep appointments. However, this may also be because someone needs more help in helping them remember the appointment or because someone does not understand you properly (e.g. because a lot of specialist terminology or difficult words are used). We want to prevent this kind of misunderstanding because it can cause a pathway at the Probation Service to fail, because an approach does not connect well with individuals or communication does not take place in a clear way. By using the SCIL, the probation service can ensure appropriate support and actionable advice.

Human intervention

The SCIL is always administered by a probation worker who has received training (the SCIL E-module). This can be done on paper or digitally. In the probation service's work environment, after it has been taken, it is registered whether or not LVB is suspected.

The rule is that the SCIL is conducted with every client unless one or more of the following exclusion criteria are present:

- There is a diagnosis yes/no LVB.

- There is a recently administered SCIL.

- Further diagnostics are planned and screening has no added value.

- The client has completed a high level of education (havo/vwo, college/university), and there is no reason to doubt the current level of functioning.

- The test is not possible because the client has insufficient command of the Dutch language.

- Dyslexia is not an exclusion criterion. Dyslexia is subject to separate instructions when administering the SCIL.

- Situational circumstances of the client (such as being under the influence or acute psychiatric problems)

The result is shared with the client and it will be asked whether it is recognised by the client. If LVB is suspected, this will be taken into account in the advice and counselling and communication will be adjusted accordingly. If necessary, additional diagnostics will be requested.

Risk management

What are the risks?

Privacy violation: There is a chance that the result of the SCIL is provided to third parties in breach of the duty of confidentiality and/or AVG.

Misjudgement: The SCIL provides insight into a suspicion of LVB, not a diagnosis. There is a risk that the outcome of the SCIL will be misinterpreted.

Language difficulties: The test is not suitable for people who do not speak sufficient Dutch. This may lead to misinterpretations

Stigma: People may feel unfairly labelled.

How are risks mitigated?

Probation workers follow the SCIL E-module where they learn how to use the SCIL and receive instructions on introducing, administering and giving feedback on the SCIL result.

SCIL score data may only be stored and shared according to the applicable AVG laws and regulations.

The SCIL is not administered to people who do not have sufficient command of the Dutch language.

The probation service uses the SCIL to provide appropriate advice, adjust communication and treatment and deploy appropriate interventions. It is therefore not used as a diagnosis.

Legal basis

The legal basis is to be found in the statutory regulations for carrying out the probation tasks of counselling and supervision.

The statutory probation tasks are listed in Article 8 of the 1995 Probation Regulation in combination with various statutory provisions in the field of criminal law. The probation service may process health data of clients (suspects and convicted persons) on the basis of Article 30(2)(b) UAVG

Opinion:

The basis for processing the personal data of clients (suspects and convicted persons) for the purpose of the advisory task lies in a legal obligation (Article 6(1)(c) UAVG) and/or the performance of a public law task (Article 6(1)(e) UAVG) in conjunction with, among others, the following articles

Reclasseringsregeling 1995: articles 8 paragraph 1 sub a, 9 and 10;

Code of Criminal Procedure: articles 63 paragraph 6, 147, 177 paragraph 2, 310, 6:2:12 paragraph 2, 6:6:23a paragraph 3, 6:6:23c paragraph 3;

Penal Code: articles 38m paragraph 4, 38z paragraph 2;

Transfer of Enforcement of Criminal Judgements Act: section 19(1);

Penitentiary Institutions Act: article 18a

Penitentiary Measure, article 7 paragraph 2

Decree on Forensic Care: article 6.2a subsection 2 sub d (advice design supervision under article 43 subsection 4 Pbw)

Supervision:

The basis for processing the personal data of clients (suspects and convicts) for the purpose of supervision and counselling by the probation service lies in a legal obligation (Article 6 paragraph 1 sub c AVG) and/or the performance of a public law task (Article 6 paragraph 1 sub e AVG) in connection with

Reclasseringsregeling 1995: articles 8 paragraph 1 sub b, 11 and 12;

Penal Code: articles 14c paragraph 3 under b jo paragraph 6, 38 paragraph 2, 77z paragraph 3 under b, 77aa paragraph 3;

Code of Criminal Procedure: articles 80, 167 paragraph 2, 6:2:11 paragraph 2 sub b, 6:3:12 paragraph 3, 6:3:14, 6:6:10, 6:6:19 and 6:6:23b Code of Criminal Procedure;

Pardons Act: article 15 paragraph 1;

Penitentiary Institutions Act: articles 4 and 43 paragraph 4;

Penitentiary measure: articles 8 and 9;

Beginswet verpleging ter beschikking gestelden: article 51 paragraph 2;

Regulations for treatment of persons placed at risk: articles 59 to 61, 68 to 70;

Decree on forensic care: article 2.7;

Decree on enforcement of criminal decisions: articles 3:1 to 3:5.

Below is a reference to some of the most important articles of law:

Links to legal bases

• Probation Regulation 1995: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0007120/2019-06-26#Hoofdstuk3
• Art. 147 WvSv: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001903/2025-07-01#BoekTweede
• Article 6:2:12 WvSv: https://wetten.overheid.nl/jci1.3:c:BWBR0001903&boek=6&hoofdstuk=2&titeldeel=Tweede&artikel=6:2:12&z=2025-07-01&g=2025-07-01
• Article 14c WvSr: https://wetten.overheid.nl/jci1.3:c:BWBR0001854&boek=Eerste&titeldeel=II&artikel=14c&z=2025-07-01&g=2025-07-01

Elaboration on impact assessments

DPIA (Data Protection Impact Assessment ) is carried out.

Operations

Data

The test uses answers to 14 questions on: Education and help history, Contact with family and social support, Arithmetic skills and language comprehension.

Links to data sources

SCIL manual:: https://hogrefe.com/nl/shop/media/downloads/sample-reports/5702901_InkijkexemplaarHandleiding_Samplepages.pdf

Technical design

The questionnaire can be taken either on paper or digitally. If digital, each questionnaire is completed on a self-scoring form. Taking the questionnaire takes five to 10 minutes. Calculating the score takes at most two minutes, or is done automatically if taken digitally. The score indicates whether an LVB may be suspected (i.e. it is not a diagnosis).

The process is as follows:

1. A staff member asks a person 14 questions.

2. The answers are filled in on a form.

3. The score is calculated based on a fixed table.

4. If the outcome of the SCIL shows a suspicion of LVB and supervision has been imposed with special conditions, a more in-depth diagnostics is requested at a mental health institution. If the probation worker has doubts about the outcome of the SCIL, in-depth diagnostics can also be requested.

External provider

The SCIL was developed by the following scientists: Hendrien Kaal, Henk Nijman and Xavier Moonen and is published by Hogrefe Publishers. Hogrefe Uitgevers is a scientific publisher.