Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences – MARAC

Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) take place on a monthly basis and are co-ordinated by the managers of the Cheshire Eastern and Western Domestic Abuse Family Units, which provide specialist support to victims of domestic abuse.

The purpose of a MARAC is to:

  • Share information to increase the safety, health and well being of victims of domestic abuse – adults and their children;
  • Share information about the perpetrator so as to reduce the risk they pose to any particular individual or to the general community;
  • Jointly construct and implement a risk management plan that provides professional support to all those at risk and that reduces the risk of harm;
  • Reduce repeat victimisation;
  • Improve agency accountability by ensuring that all agencies have acted individually to reduce the risk and maximise safety before a MARAC and undertake any new actions in accordance with the MARAC plan
  • Improve support for staff involved in high-risk domestic abuse cases.

 Risk is assessed by completing the Cheshire Domestic Abuse Partnership CAADA Recommended Risk Assessment Checklist – with the victim of the abuse wherever possible . Risk may be assessed as:

Very High
  • 10 ticks in ‘Yes’ Box
  • 4+ ticks in ‘Causes significant concern’ box

(including domestic abuse box)

  • A tick for all questions 5 – 8
  • client’s own assessment of Q17 (afraid of being killed) causes significant concern
  • 3rd completion of risk assessment within 12 months
High
  • 3 ticks in ‘causes significant concern’ box

(including domestic abuse box)

  • 7-9 ticks in ‘Yes’ box
  • 2nd completion of risk assessment within twelve months.
Standard
  • Less than 7 ticks in ‘Yes’ box

           

 If the risk is assessed as Very High, a referral should be made to MARAC using the MARAC referral form.  Where it is not possible to complete the risk assessment, but your professional judgement is that the person is at very high risk of serious harm a referral should still be made to MARAC, as referral without consent is legal under the Data Protection and Human Rights Act which permits information sharing when it is necessary to prevent a crime or to protect the safety, health, rights and freedoms of victims of violence.

If the risk is assessed as High, a referral should be made to the Independent            Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) at the Domestic Abuse Family Unit using the     DAFSU referral form.

 If the risk is assessed as standard, referral may be made to the Domestic Abuse Family Unit but only with the consent of the victim.

 All high and very-high risk victims will be contacted by the IDVA service to offer    essential safety planning and support to maximise safety and reduce repeat   victimisation. All high and very-high risk victims also will be considered for referral to        MARAC, regardless of the form used to refer them