9. Risk management of known offenders
9.1 MAPPA
“Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) provide a (national) framework……for the assessment and management of risk posed by serious and violent offenders, including individuals who are considered to pose a risk, or potential risk, of harm to children.”
“MAPPA is the term to describe the arrangements set up locally to assess and manage offenders who pose a risk of serious harm. National MAPPA guidance indicates the use of 3 levels of management:
Level 1: involves ordinary agency management
Level 2: referred to as local inter-agency management, where the active involvement of more than one agency is required to manage the offender. Most offenders assessed as high or very high risk of serious harm can be managed at Level 2 where the management plans do not require the attendance and commitment of resources at a senior level
Level 3: Level 3 activity meetings are known in all Areas as Multi-Agency Public Protection Panels (or MAPPPs). The few cases referred to MAPPPs are those of offenders whose management is so problematic that multi-agency co-operation and oversight at a senior level is required, together with the authority to commit exceptional resources to strengthen the risk management plan.”
“Offenders falling within the remit of MAPPA in each area are categorised as follows:
- Category 1: registered sex offenders – as defined by the Sex Offenders Act 1997, and amended by the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 and the Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Category 2: violent and other sex offenders – violent and sexual offenders who receive a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, those detained under hospital or guardianship orders and those who have committed specific offences against children
- Category 3: other offenders – offenders not in category 1 or 2, but who are considered by the Responsible Authority to pose a serious risk to the public.”
9.1.1 Assessment of Risk
“Risk is categorised by reference to who may be the subject of that harm. This includes children who may be vulnerable to harm of various kinds, including violent or sexual behaviour, emotional harm or neglect.” For this reason, WSCB will work closely with the Area MAPPA Strategic Management Board “to ensure the best local joint arrangements are made for any individual child…This will involve ensuring “that strategies to address risk are identified and plans developed, implemented and reviewed on a regular basis.”
“The (accepted) levels of risk are as follows:
- Low: no significant current indicators of risk of harm;
- Medium: identifiable indicators of risk of harm. The offender has the potential to cause harm, but is unlikely to do so unless there is a change in circumstances….;
- High: identifiable indicators of risk of serious harm. The potential event could happen at any time, and the impact would be serious; and
- Very high: an imminent risk of harm. The potential event is likely to happen imminently, and the impact to be serious.”
9.1.2 Information sharing
Exchange of information is essential for effective public protection.
The MAPPA guidance is available at: http://www.probation.homeoffice.gov.uk (External link)
The guidance clarifies how MAPPA agencies may exchange information among themselves, and with other people or organisations outside the MAPPA. WSCB, as stated above, will work to ensure that relevant information is shared with those that need to know, in order to safeguard children.
