What is MARAC?

MARAC stands for Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference. It is a multi-agency panel for domestic abuse cases where there is a high risk of homicide and serious harm.

Camden MARAC comprises representatives from Camden Safety Net, the Police, the NHS, Children’s Social Services, Adult Social Care, Camden Housing, Housing Association, Voluntary and charity sector and homelessness charities.

Early Help is a core MARAC member. A Family Early Help manager attends every MARAC (on a rota system) and IEYS attend every MARAC as well. 

 

How Does MARAC work? 

MARAC meets fortnightly. It is a highly confidential meeting, in which information is shared about the victim, the abuser and any children or vulnerable adults. The purpose for doing this is to reduce the risk of harm by creating a risk management plan and discussing options to help keep the survivor and children as safe as possible.

MARAC is not an agency and does not have a case management function.  The responsibility to take appropriate actions stays with individual agencies; it is not transferred to the MARAC. 

When referring to MARAC, you should continue to work with the victim/survivor to reduce risk and make appropriate safeguarding referrals and referrals to support services both prior to and following a MARAC.

 

Who Can Be Referred to MARAC? 

A victim/survivor should be referred to the MARAC if they are an adult (16+) who live in Camden and are at high risk of domestic abuse from their adult (16+) partner, ex-partner or family member, regardless of gender or sexuality.

Consent of the victim/survivor is preferred but not compulsory for a MARAC referral to be made.  The perpetrator of abuse should not be informed of the MARAC Referral. 

The criteria you should use to determine if a person is at high risk are: 

•  Visible High Risk- You have completed a SafeLives DASH Risk Indicator Checklist (RIC) with the victim/survivor and they scored 14 or more yes ticks OR
  
  
• Potential Escalation – There have been 4 domestic abuse incidents by the same perpetrator on the same victim/survivor in the last 12 months and they are increasing in severity or frequency; OR
  
  
• Professional Judgement – You as a professional consider the victim/survivor to be high risk (at risk of serious harm or death) regardless of the number of ticks on the SafeLives DASH RIC. Please take into consideration the victim/survivor’s own perception of risk.
  
  
• Repeat - a case that has been heard at MARAC within the last 12 months and a new incident occurs between the same victim/survivor and same Perpetrator, denoting the heightened risk of serious harm and homicide due to escalation. Also note, that if a victim/survivor moves out of borough, to notify the MARAC Manager of the new address, so that a MARAC Transfer can be completed to the new area as to alert them to the high risk individual for support to be offered.

 

How Do I Refer to MARAC? 

Complete the MARAC referral form here and send to [email protected] (copy in Early Help's lead MARAC rep [email protected]). 

Once the referral has been received by the MARAC Manager, confirmation of receipt will be provided (which includes date of when the case will be heard and which IDVA service the referral has been forwarded to). The Early Help rep on MARAC that week may contact you to discuss your referral as they will present the case on your behalf. They will also provide feedback to you after the meeting.