Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference

Standing Together coordinates and administers the Multi-Agency-Risk-Assessment-Conferences (MARAC) in Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham.

What is a MARAC?

MARAC is a meeting where information is shared on the highest risk domestic violence cases between representatives of local police, health, child protection, housing practitioners, Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and other specialists from the statutory and voluntary sectors.  After sharing all relevant information they have about a victim/survivor, the representatives discuss options for increasing the safety of the victim/survivor and turn these into a co-ordinated action plan.  The main focus of the MARAC is on managing the risk to the adult victim/survivor, but in doing this will also consider other family members, including any children involved, and also managing the behaviour of the perpetrator.  Information shared at the MARAC is confidential and is only used for the purpose of reducing the risk of harm to those at risk.

At the heart of a MARAC is the working assumption that no single agency or individual can see the complete picture of the life of a victim, but all may have insights that are crucial to their safety.  The victim/survivor does not attend the meeting but is represented by an IDVA who speaks on their behalf.  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.

Cases are referred for a one-off discussion at a MARAC.  The MARAC is not an agency and does not have a case management function.  The responsibility to take appropriate actions rests with individual agencies; it is not transferred to the MARAC.  When referring to the MARAC staff should continue to work with the victim/survivor to reduce risk and make appropriate safeguarding referrals.

For futher details on the MARAC process, please see the MARAC Flowchart.

For more information and frequently asked questions about the MARAC please visit the CAADA website.

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The Kensington & Chelsea MARAC (RBKC MARAC)

The RBKC MARAC started in January 2008 and meets on a monthly basis. A victim/survivor should be referred to the RBKC MARAC if they are an adult (16+) who resides in the borough and are at high risk of domestic violence from their adult (16+) partner, ex-partner or family member, regardless of gender or sexuality.

The IDVA Service in Kensington & Chelsea is ADVANCE, and all MARAC referrals for female victim/survivors of domestic violence who are aged 16+ will be shared with ADVANCE.  Referrals for male victim/survivors will be shared with Victim Support.  Victim/survivors suffering domestic violence within LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender) relationships will be referred to GALOP.  Female victim/survivors that indicate they would prefer an Arabic Speaking support service would be referred to Al-Aman. Where the victim/survivor is aware of the MARAC referral and safe contact details have been provided the appropriate support service will endeavour to contact them to offer support.

For professionals wanting further information on the RBKC MARAC and how to refer to it, please see the RBKC MARAC Information Pack or talk to your MARAC Representative.

For victim/survivors of domestic violence who have been referred to the RBKC MARAC and wish further information please see RBKC MARAC Leaflet or talk to the professional or agency that referred you to the MARAC.

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The Hammersmith & Fulham MARAC (LBHF MARAC)

The LBHF MARAC started in September 2007 and meets on a three weekly basis.  A victim/survivor should be referred to the LBHF MARAC if they are an adult (16+) who resides in the borough and are at high risk of domestic violence from their adult (16+) partner, ex-partner or family member, regardless of gender or sexuality.

The IDVA Service in Hammersmith & Fulham is run by ADVANCE and all MARAC referrals for female victim/survivors of intimate partner violence will be shared with ADVANCE.  Referrals for male victim/survivors and familial violence cases will be shared with Victim Support. Victim/survivors suffering domestic violence within LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender) relationships will be referred to GALOP.  Where the victim/survivor is aware of the MARAC referral and safe contact details have been provided the appropriate support service will endeavour to contact them to offer support.

For professionals wanting further information on the LBHF MARAC and how to refer to it please see the LBHF MARAC Information Pack or talk to your MARAC Representative.

For victim/survivors of domestic violence who have been referred to the LBHF MARAC and want further information please talk to the professional or agency that referred you to the MARAC.

The Brent MARAC

Standing Together took over the coordination of the Brent MARAC in February 2012. The Brent MARAC meets on a four weekly basis.  A victim/survivor should be referred to the Brent MARAC if they are an adult (16+) who resides in the borough and are at high risk of domestic violence from their adult (16+) partner, ex-partner or family member, regardless of gender or sexuality. 

The IDVA Service in Brent is ADVANCE and the other support agencies for high risk survivors of domestic violence are Hestia, Eastern European Refuge and ASRA. All MARAC referrals for female victim/survivors of intimate partner violence will be shared with ADVANCE and any other appropriate support service.  Referrals for female victim/survivors of familial violence cases will be shared with Hestia. Referrals for male victim/survivors will be shared with Victim Support. Victim/survivors suffering domestic violence within LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender) relationships will be referred to GALOP.  Where the victim/survivor is aware of the MARAC referral and safe contact details have been provided the appropriate support service will endeavour to contact them to offer support.

For Professionals wanting further information on the Brent MARAC and how to refer to it please see BrentMARAC_RefForm or talk to your MARAC Representative

For victim/survivors of domestic violence who have been referred to the Brent MARAC and wish further information please talk to the professional or agency that referred you to the MARAC.

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What is High Risk?

‘High Risk’ domestic violence means that a victim/survivor is considered at high risk of serious harm or death.  Roughly the top 10% of domestic violence cases will be considered high risk.  The victim/survivor’s own perception of risk is paramount. In Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham and Brent the high risk threshold is met if any ONE of the following apply:

1. POTENTIAL ESCALATION - The victim/survivor has disclosed four or more (LBHF & RBKC) or five or more (Brent) domestic violence incidents in the past 12 months and these incidents are increasing in frequency or severity; OR

2. VISIBLE HIGH RISK– The CAADA - DASH Risk Indicator Checklist (the RIC) has been completed with the victim/survivor and they received 14+ Yes ticks (the CAADA-DASH RIC should be completed as a one-on-one conversation in a safe environment with the victim/survivor by a staff member who is trained in domestic violence awareness).  For more information on the RIC and how to complete it please see the CAADA DASH RIC; OR

3. PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT – The professional considers that the victim/survivor is at risk of serious harm or death; Please take into consideration the victim/survivor’s own perception of risk.

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Referring to the MARAC

Only professionals can refer victim/survivor’s to a MARAC.  Once a professional considers a victim/survivor at high risk of domestic violence they should refer to the MARAC in the area where the victim/survivor presently lives (regardless of where the perpetrator of abuse lives or where the incidents of abuse occurred).  Professionals usually refer to the MARAC via their MARAC Representative or their agency’s Domestic Violence Champion  / Lead.  Referrals must be completed on the appropriate referral form:

RBKC MARAC Referral Form
LBHF MARAC Referral Form

Brent MARAC Referral Form

Consent of the victim/survivor is preferred but not compulsory for a MARAC referral to be made.  If a referral is made without consent then a referral Without Consent Form form should be completed and kept on file.  The perpetrator of abuse should not be informed of the MARAC referral.

Where you are working with an individual or family involving high risk domestic violence you should take action to address the risk as soon as you become aware of it. You should not wait for the MARAC meeting before taking any such crisis intervention measures including referrals to other appropriate services.

If a victim/survivor has already been referred to the MARAC within the last 12 months you do not need to re-refer to the MARAC unless there has been a Repeat Incident (see below for the definition of a Repeat Incident).

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Following a MARAC Referral

The MARAC Representative or Domestic Violence Champion/Lead will present their agency’s referrals to the MARAC and feedback to the referrer following the meeting.  Whenever safe to do so either the IDVA service or the referring agency will feedback to the victim/survivor.  MARAC Representatives will feedback to the relevant professionals and ensure the actions they offered to reduce risk are completed.

Once a case has gone to the MARAC it should be confidentially flagged as a high risk Domestic Violence case by all MARAC Agencies for 12 months.  If there is one further significant incident of domestic violence within the 12 months then the case should be re-referred to the MARAC as a REPEAT.  Repeat Incidents (incidents that would trigger a repeat referral to the MARAC) are any ONE of the following:

1. Violence or the threat of violence (to the victim/survivor or their property); OR

2. A pattern of stalking or harassment; OR

3. Rape or sexual assault

A Repeat Incident must be of the above nature, occurring to the same victim/survivor by the same perpetrator that was in the original referral, within 12 months of the case last being discussed at a MARAC.

Please contact lbhf.marac@standingtogether.cjsm.net or rbkc.marac@standingtogether.cjsm.net with all MARAC related enquiries.

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Last Modified: 1st July 2011