Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA)
MAPPA stands for Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements. It is the set of arrangements through which the Police, Probation and Prison Services work together with other agencies to manage the risks posed by violent and sexual offenders living in the community in order to protect the public.
MAPPA is not a statutory body in itself but is a mechanism through which agencies can co-ordinate their approach to meeting statutory responsibilities and protect the public. Agencies at all times retain their full statutory responsibilities and obligations.
Information available on the MAPPA website
The MAPPA website provides professionals and the public with information on how sexual and violent offenders are managed in the community.
An explanation of the process called ‘Thresholding’, which is the process where the Lead Agency decides what level an offender should be managed at, considering the various requirements for management at each level as well as offender risk and need, is available as a presentation on their MAPPA Thresholding Document page.
You can also find lots of other useful explanations and guidance for the whole range of MAPPA activity and processes on their Other Publications page.
Durham’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
The MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) was launched in March 2015. It is designed to be a central point for the screening, gathering, sharing and analysing of information about children who may be at risk of harm or who may need support services.
Organisations that work in the MASH
The MASH is made up of professionals from a range of agencies including:
- Durham’s Children and Young People Service
- Durham Police
- Health Agencies
- Education
- Harbour (domestic abuse service)
- Humankind
All of these professionals are employed by their agency to work in partnership with Durham’s Children’s Social Care, sitting alongside social workers in a single location to remove potential barriers and speed up the sharing of information. Virtual links also exist with other key agencies who are asked to provide information when necessary.
More information
You can find out more information about the MASH on the Child Protection page on the Durham County Council website which includes a ‘frequently asked questions’ document about MASH.
Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC)
Information for agencies working with people at risk from domestic abuse
MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) provides a consistent approach to support victims of domestic abuse who are identified as at risk of serious harm. It puts in place various plans and actions in relation to the safety and well being of the identified person, and if appropriate, their children. The MARAC Process does not override pre-existing procedures within organisations where issues of Child Protection are concerned.
If you require general information on domestic abuse and the services provided within County Durham please visit the Domestic Abuse pages on the Durham County Council website.
We also work with the Safe Durham Partnership who lead on domestic abuse and we have links to the County Durham Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Executive Group (DASVEG). We continue to promote the need for domestic abuse services to support children, young people and their families.