MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference)
MARAC, or multi-agency risk assessment conference, is a meeting where information is shared on the highest risk domestic abuse cases between representatives of local police, probation, health, child protection, housing practitioners, Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and other specialists from the statutory and voluntary sectors.
After sharing all relevant information about a victim, representatives discuss options for increasing safety for the victim and turn these options into a co-ordinated action plan. The primary focus of the MARAC is to safeguard the adult victim.
What is the purpose of the MARAC?
The MARAC aims to:
- Information sharing: to increase the safety, health and wellbeing of victims and / or witnesses, both adults and children
- Risk identification and management.
- Problem solving and action planning: Encourage problem solving to jointly construct and implement action plans that provide professional support to those at risk and that reduces the risk of harm
- Multi-agency engagement: Representation, engagement and effective partnership and communication by, and between, agencies
- Accountability: Agencies are accountable for identifying and carrying out actions
- Integrity, openness and honesty: Encourage transparency between agencies
- Creativity: Encourage creative and innovative ways of working
- Best Practice: contribute to the development of best practice and identify policy issues and raise these through the appropriate channels
Who can be referred?
A case should be referred to MARAC if the victim or perpetrator are vulnerable or at risk to either themselves or others and the case would benefit from a multi-agency action plan. Professionals can refer case by completing the referral form which includes a risk assessment.
Who attends the meeting?
Professionals who attend may include police, children’s services, representatives from health, probation and housing. Other organisations may also be invited to attend where relevant. An IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) also attends on behalf of the victim, but the victim does not attend in person.
How can I submit a referral?
Community MARAC panels are held monthly on the second Tuesday of every month.
Step 1 – Make a referral using the MARAC referral form (docx).
Step 2 – Once a referral has been received the MARAC coordinator will review the referral form and check whether enough information has been provided. The referrer will be contacted if more information is needed and informed whether the case will be heard at the MARAC.
Step 3 – If a referral is accepted, a request for further information will be made to partner agencies and they will be invited to attend the next meeting.
Step 4 – the case will be added to the agenda for discussion at the next MARAC.
For further advice and new referrals please contact: MARAC@standingtogether.org.uk
For more information about MARACs, please visit the SafeLives, (a national charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse.