Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference
What is MARAC?
MARAC stands for Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference. MARACs are multi-agency meetings where those identified as at high risk of serious harm or homicide are referred to.
What happens at a MARAC?
MARACs are attended by representatives from a range of agencies that includes; police, health services, child protection, housing, domestic abuse advisers, probation, mental health and substance misuse specialists. Relevant and proportionate information is shared about the current risks to identify actions (Risk Management Plan) to increase the safety and wellbeing of the victim and any other vulnerable parties, eg children.
What are the aims of the MARAC?
- To share information to increase the safety, health and well-being of victims – adults and their children;
- To determine whether the perpetrator poses a significant risk to any particular individual or to the general community;
- To construct jointly and implement a risk management plan that provides professional support to all those at risk and that reduces the risk of harm;
- To reduce repeat victimisation;
- To improve agency accountability; and
- Improve support for staff involved in high-risk DA cases.
How do I know whether to make a referral?
There are commonly 3 criteria for referring a case to a MARAC:
- ‘Visible High Risk’ – the number of ticks on the DASH risk assessment. If you have ticked 14 or more ‘yes’ boxes the case would normally meet the MARAC;
- Potential Escalation – the number of callouts to the victim as a result of domestic abuse in the past 12 months. This criterion can be used to identify cases where there is not a positive identification of a majority of the risk factors on the list, but where abuse appears to be escalating and where it is appropriate to assess the situation more fully by sharing information at MARAC;
- Professional Judgement – if a professional has serious concerns about a victim’s situation, they should refer the case to MARAC. There will be occasions where the particular context of a case gives rise to serious concerns even if the victim has been unable to disclose the information that might highlight their risk more clearly. This could reflect extreme levels of fear, cultural barriers to disclosure, immigration issues or language barriers particularly in cases of honour-based violence.
Click here to access the MARAC referral – form
When do the meetings take place?
MARACs are split into areas across the county and are held regularly in each location – frequency will depend on local need. The areas are:
- Northampton
- Daventry and South Northants
- Wellingborough and East Northants
- Kettering
- Corby
Can I refer a case that has been at MARAC before (either by my own referral or from another agency)?
Once a case has been heard at MARAC it would not be reviewed unless a further incident occurs, this would then be known as a ‘repeat’. A repeat victim/incident is any incident within 12 months of the last MARAC which, if reported to the police, would be recorded as a crime. This includes use of violence, both against the person and against property, threats of violence, stalking and harassment and sexual abuse.
It is usually the police that become aware of further incidents due to a call-out; however, such behaviour/incidents may come to the attention of another agency such as probation or a health visitor. If this is the case it should still be referred back to the MARAC. Click here to access the relevant form to use to make a repeat referral.
How do I discuss a possible referral or get more information?
Please contact the MARAC Team for further information about how to refer or to discuss any issues you may have.
- Tel: 101 extn 347683
- Email: marac@northants.pnn.police.uk
Click here for information, which summarises MARAC and the processes involved.
The CAADA (Co-ordinated Action against Domestic Abuse) website also offers a wide range of guidance for practitioners working with domestic abuse. You will also find information about the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and ‘Honour’-Based Violence (DASH) Risk Identification Checklist
Forms:
Click on the links below to download the relevant forms –