Multi agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA)
Introduction
Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) was established under the terms of Sections 10 and 11 of the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2005.
This placed duties on Police, Local Authorities, the Scottish Prison Service and Health Authorities to establish joint arrangements for the assessment and management of risk posed by certain offenders, currently sexual offenders, other risk of serious harm offenders and restricted patients. These arrangements are supported by national guidance and procedures.
There is a statutory obligation to provide and publish annual reports. The North Strathclyde MAPPA annual report has now been published and can viewed in the document section. The report provides information on MAPPA in this area including statistics, management principles, agencies and their responsibilities, risk management and work with victims.
A National Overview Report will continue to be published on the Scottish Government website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are different categories of offenders who are subject to MAPPA:
Category 1 - Registered sex offenders (RSOs)
Those offenders convicted of an offence listed in Schedule three of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and required to comply with the sex offender notification requirements (SONR) set out in part 2 of the 2003 Act. Those made subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), or are a breach of a Risk of Sexual Harm Order (RHSO).
Mentally Disordered Restricted Patients
This category of offender comprises those patients subject to Specific Orders or directions as a result of a mental disorder.
- Category 2 - Not currently used in Scotland
- Category 3 - Other Risk of Serious Harm Offenders.
Offenders not required to comply with the SONR or are a mentally disordered restricted patient; who by reason of their conviction are subject to supervision in the community by any enactment, order or licence; are assessed by the responsible authorities as posing a high or very high risk of serious harm to the public which requires active multi-agency management at MAPPA level 2 or 3.
The 3 management levels in MAPPA are:
Level 1: Routine risk management
Used in the majority of cases. The risks posed by the offender can be managed by one agency without significant active involvement from other agencies. Notwithstanding this, the expectation for information sharing, joint working and collaboration at an inter-agency level remains.
Level 1 Management is not applicable to Category 3 - Other Risk of Serious Harm Offenders, as this category requires that a significant risk of serious harm exists which only requires active multi-agency management at MAPPA Level 2 or 3.
Level 2: Multi-agency risk management
Used, usually in high risk cases where the active involvement of more than one agency is required to manage the risks.
Level 3: Multi-agency protection panels (MAPPP)
The MAPPP is responsible for offenders at Level 3, who are expected to be the "critical few" who pose an imminent risk of serious harm or where there is a high risk of media scrutiny or public interest in the case.
The adoption of the three management levels allows for a consistent approach to MAPPA throughout the country. Each area has discretion in deciding which cases to refer at which level based on the experience and expertise of the agencies involved, but every area must establish arrangements based on the three levels.
The risk management structure is based on the principle that cases should be managed at the lowest MAPPA level commensurate with delivering a defensible risk management plan designed to address the risk of serious harm posed by the offender.
Sex offending spans a wide range of behaviour and it is important that the resources are concentrated against those offenders who may present the highest risk of harm to our communities. Allocation to a MAPPA Level is a combination of the level of risk and the complexity of risk management required.
MAPPA is a tiered framework, based on three interconnected levels at which risk of harm is assessed and managed. In the community, Social Work will complete a risk assessment, which is incorporated into the Criminal Justice Social Work Report. Following sentencing, if a community disposal is imposed, a suggested level of entry to MAPPA is required and a referral is made to the MAPPA Co-ordinator by the Lead Responsible Authority. The level is agreed by the Lead Responsible Authority and the MAPPA Co-ordinator.
A Strategic Oversight Group has been established to monitor and review the effectiveness of MAPPA arrangements across the Responsible Authorities in North Strathclyde and is chaired by a senior representative from one of the Responsible Authorities.
If you have any queries or wish additional information please contact the MAPPA Co-ordinator:
Scott McMillan
MAPPA Co-ordinator
North Strathclyde MAPPA
Hector McNeil House
7-8 Clyde Square
Greenock
PA15 1NB
Tel: 01475 715373
Email: Scott.McMillan@inverclyde.gov.uk