MARAC

THE MARAC

What is a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)?

The main aim of the MARAC is to reduce the risk of serious harm or homicide for a victim and to increase the safety, health, and wellbeing of victims - adults and children. In a MARAC, local agencies will meet to discuss the highest risk victims of domestic abuse in their area. Information about the risks faced by those victims, the actions needed to ensure safety, and the resources available locally are shared and used to create a risk management plan involving all agencies.

MARACs

The MARAC will help ensure that high risk victims are supported and better protected from further abuse by a coordinated effort from all agencies and organisations. The views of the victim are taken into account by the meeting and there is close liaison where possible, between the victim and partner agencies to ensure that the safety plan is indeed safe. The MARAC helps high risk victims access more resources locally, helps build relationships with local agencies and impacts on the core purpose of the MARAC which is to reduce repeat victimisation and ensure that robust safety planning for and with the victim is undertaken.

'The MARAC provides a valuable opportunity to share the information which other agencies may have in an appropriate manner, which will assist to determine the true extent of risk to the victim and any children, ensuring a more effective safety plan.'

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why do representatives from different agencies attend?

The MARAC allows the views of the victim to be put forward and each agency share the information they have to enable a picture of the level of risk. This ensures that there is a coordinated response and ensures that appropriate resources are offered by partner agencies. The kind of partnership working and efficient and effective information sharing at MARAC would not be achievable if it weren't for the meeting, it is therefore crucial that every agency attends to give their expert opinion on domestic violence, share the up-to-date information they have, and act as a link between the victim and the MARAC agencies.

What cases are discussed?

The highest risk cases of domestic abuse are discussed in the MARAC. These will have been identified by a practitioner from any agency using an recognised and evaluated risk assessment tool. This may include cases of extended family violence including so-called 'honour' based violence.

What information should each agency bring?

Each agency should bring any relevant information from/about the victims case that would help the MARAC to create a safe and effective risk management plan. This could include information on level of risk, barriers to accessing support for the victim, wishes of the victim (for example wishing to be re-housed locally), any upcoming appointments and content of previous contacts. In North Lincolnshire we have two posts known as IDVA and they work specifically if high risk victims of domestic violence. We have found that the victim will generally disclose more details around the abuse to the IDVA than to any other agency; this may present the IDVA with difficult decisions on disclosure where the wishes of the client might conflict with what may help assure their safety. It is therefore crucial that the IDVA attend the MARAC to ensure the action plan is as safe as possible.

What actions can we offer?

The actions offered by agencies will usually reflect work that is already being undertaken with the victim. This will involve supporting the victim through crisis, discussing options, supporting through criminal/civil process, assisting with housing options, risk assessment and safety planning with the victim and signposting on to other services.

What are the legal grounds for sharing information where consent is not given?

Disclosures to MARAC are made under the Data Protection Act and the Human Rights Act. Information can be shared when it is necessary to prevent a crime, protect the health and/or safety of the victim and/or the rights and freedoms of those who are victims of violence and/or their children. It must be proportionate to the level of risk of harm to a named individual or known household. For further information on the FAQ's on disclosure of information at MARAC available at www.caada.org.uk. The principle that underpins MARAC is that the threshold of risk is so high that consent is not legally necessary from the victim to share info. In practise, having the victims support for their process will almost always lead to a more successful outcome.

Does the victim need to know they are being discussed at MARAC?

Yes. Whether each agency discusses the MARAC with their client will depend on whether they believe it is safe to do so, or whether it would put the victim or any other party at greater risk. It is good practice to contact the victim before the MARAC to gather information on what the currect situation is and what the victim wants.

After the MARAC

The outcome of the MARAC should be fed back to the victim. If a further incident occurs, then the case should be referred back in order that the level of risk can be reassessed.