Lousia Ovington independent investigation report ... - NHS North East

CHAPTER 5 – INVOLVEMENT WITH POLICE AND PROBATION
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the offender may cause serious harm to the public. The guidance goes on to say
that the responsibility for identifying category 3 offenders lies with the agency
‘that initially deals with them’.
The Responsible Authority for the locality will have established a unit to run MAPPA
for the area and set out referral procedures. (Durham/Darlington’s public protection
unit, a product of a joint police and probation initiative, was established in 1999).
Management of MAPPA - once accepted and placed in categories 1, 2 or 3, an
offender subject to MAPPA is managed at one of three levels. While the assessed level
of risk is an important factor, it is the degree of management intervention required
which determines the level.
Level one: involves normal agency management. Generally offenders managed at this
level will be assessed as presenting a low or medium risk of serious harm to others and
it is only suitable where risks can be managed by one agency 85 .
Level two: local inter agency risk management, through a process of formal meetings
with permanent representatives of crucial agencies which have a role to play in risk
management and others as necessary, in a process that is dynamic, i.e., that changes
to suit the circumstances of the offender. Most offenders subject to this level are
assessed as high or very high risk of harm. 86
Level three: known as Multi-Agency Public Protection Panels (or MAPPPs). This level is
appropriate for the ‘critical few’ - those offenders who pose the highest risk of causing
serious harm, whose management is so problematic that multi-agency co-operation
and oversight at a senior level is required with the authority to commit exceptional
resources, or who are exceptional as a result of media scrutiny/public interest. 87
Good risk assessment involves those undertaking it being prepared to actively
investigate the offender’s circumstances and background, to ensure that they have all
relevant information and to take the time to evaluate it thoroughly. MAPPA enables
and promotes this, resulting in more effective supervision and better public protection.
The guidance 88 recognises that the evaluation of risk is a dynamic, not a static process;
therefore if an offender is subject to MAPPA, any changes in risk profile can be
managed.
Management of risk can take many different forms, for example regular visits by
police, referrals to forensic services for assessment, assistance with housing.
85 In 2004/05 about 71% of MAPPA offenders were managed at this level.
86 In 2004/05 about 25% of MAPPA offenders were managed at this level.
87 In 2004/05 about 3% of MAPPA offenders were managed at this level.
88 MAPPA Guidance Probation