MARAC and IDVA
What is MARAC?
MARAC is Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference and is a monthly multi agency meeting, chaired by Police, focussing on the safety of victims of domestic abuse identified as being at high risk. The identification of high risk victims of domestic abuse has been made possible by the use of a risk identification tool.
In a single meeting, the MARAC combines up to date risk information with a timely assessment of a victim's needs and links those directly to the provision of appropriate services for all those involved in a domestic abuse case: victim, children and perpetrator.
The responsibility to take appropriate actions rests with individual agencies; it is not transferred to the MARAC. In a typical meeting, 15-20 high risk cases are discussed each meeting with brief and focused information sharing taking place, followed by creation of a multi agency action plan.
Who should attend?
The MARAC is made up of a core group of people, representing both the statutory and voluntary sector. The meeting involves contribution and commitment from agencies including police, probation, Children's Services, Adult's Services, Health, education, housing, substance misuse services, and specialist domestic abuse services, namely the Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs). IDVA's receive accredited training and support high risk victims of domestic abuse. Other agencies can attend on an ad hoc basis, when they have involvement in one of the cases being discussed.
The victim does not attend the meeting, nor does the perpetrator, or the Crown Prosecution Service.
IDVAs - Independent Domestic Violence Advisors
Each victim referred to the MARAC will be allocated an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA). The IDVA is a trained specialist whose goal is the safety of domestic abuse victims, focusing on victims at high risk of harm. The IDVA will attempt to make contact with the referrer and the victim following receipt of a MARAC referral. The IDVA's job is to be a bridge between victims and the MARAC meeting. The IDVA will try and meet the victim beforehand, or at least talk to them on the phone, and explain how the meeting works, what it can do, and what the options are.
The IDVA will also ask if there is anything the victim would like brought up at the meeting.
To contact IDVA's working in Bracknell, contact Berkshire Women's Aid on 0118 9504003.
To contact IDVA's working in Maidenhead, Ascot, Slough or Windsor, contact Berkshire East and South Bucks Women's Aid on 01753 549865 or 0800 085 2654.
Making a referral to MARAC
Referrals can be made, and are encouraged, by any agency who identifies a victim of domestic abuse as being high risk. A DASH Risk Identifcation Checklist will enable a practitioner to determine the level of risk posed to a victim. Click here to visit the CAADA website (http://www.caada.org.uk/practitioner_resources/riskresources.htm) to download the most up-to-date form. Upon meeting the MARAC threshold for high risk, the DASH form and MARAC referral form should be sent to the local MARAC Co-ordinator/Administrator. The case will then be submitted for the next available MARAC however in some circumstances, an emergency MARAC meeting may be called.
The DASH Risk Identification Form should not be used without prior training. See the training section for available dates or contact 01753 835503. The MARAC leaflet and referral forms are available to download below. Who do I contact for more information? The MARAC Administrator: Phone 01753 506310 or email BerkshireEastMARAC@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
