MARAC Operating Protocol 2013 - Safer Derbyshire

Derbyshire MARAC Operating Protocol (MOP)
• Derbyshire MARAC representation will seek to involve all agencies that can contribute to reducing risk
to a victim. It is for this reason that involvement will continue to be actively encouraged within the
MARAC’s from both the statutory and voluntary sectors. It has been sought to identify any local
arrangements that are established and in place that support high risk victims of DA and no agency who
has a key involvement in this area will be excluded from the MARAC process.
• Particular reference is made to the crucial role that the Independent Domestic Violence Advocates
(IDVAs) & Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVA’s) have to Derbyshire MARACs. In guidance
from CAADA it assesses that whilst the police will be responsible for the administration of a MARAC, the
IDVAs will take on around 80% of the work that arise from the referrals.
• All agency representatives are broadly involved in the running of the Derbyshire MARAC process and it
is noted that they indeed have a valuable contribution to make to the overall success of the process.
Without a full commitment to the working of the Derbyshire MARACs, from every partner and
representative involved, the process will fail to meet its core aims and objectives. It is for this reason
that an informed attendance of all representatives at each MARAC is essential, as is their commitment
in ensuring that actions are completed in a timely manner. Each partner agency must deliver to this
and ensure that their representatives do likewise.
• The identification of suitable representatives for a MARAC has to be solely the responsibility of the
partner agency. However those identified should wherever possible have an operational management
position and an affinity to the district(s) the MARAC serves. They should be able to commit to the
MARAC process within their own working arrangements, have the ability to access information and
databases and be able to ensure that actions are completed. It is envisaged that the ideal
representatives would be local area managers, who may have a personal knowledge of many of the
cases heard. It is also necessary that should the designated representative be unable to attend the
meeting that appropriate alternative arrangements be made in order that the information is passed &
shared as necessary. In the cases that a designated MARAC representative can not attend then a
deputy must be assigned to attend in their place.
• It will be the responsibility of all partnering agencies to induct new MARAC representatives within their
new role.
III. GOVERNANCE AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
• The core responsibilities of the MARAC Governance group are as follows;
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Monitor and evaluate the data from Derbyshire MARAC’s.
Ensure that effective partnerships are maintained with other safeguarding and public
protection bodies and other MARAC areas.
Monitor and regularly assess the overall performance of the MARAC and ensure it operates
in line with the 10 Principles for an Effective MARAC 1 .
Address operational issues.
Report to Safer Communities board on a quarterly basis.
Oversee efforts to raise awareness with local practitioners about the MARAC.
Communicate the performance of the MARAC to key stakeholders.
Derbyshire MARAC Operating Protocol 2013 4