Multi Agency Risk Reduction Assessment and Co-ordination in Lancashire: Evaluation Report

Davies, Pamela and Barlow, Charlotte and Fish, Rebecca (2022) Multi Agency Risk Reduction Assessment and Co-ordination in Lancashire: Evaluation Report. [Report]

Abstract

This report provides an overview of the updated process for Domestic Abuse Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) in Lancashire. In response to rising demand and workloads, as well as the introduction of the Lancashire Serious Violence Strategy (Lancashire VRN, 2020), Lancashire Constabulary established a MARAC review team to review the existing system. The team found that there were many wasted steps in the system, as well as a lack of multi-agency collaboration. They decided to plan and implement an updated MARAC system that became titled MARRAC (Multi-Agency Risk Reduction Assessment and Co-ordination). A bespoke holistic approach was designed, which focusses on the three ‘MEs’ - Victim, Perpetrator, and Child. This approach involved the introduction of dedicated staff members as well as continual outcome measurement and process refinement. The pilot evaluation featured in this report highlighted areas for further and continual improvement. The evaluation found that the new system addresses issues of repetition and duplication of effort, facilitated better communication and information sharing between agencies, and a clearer end-to-end process. More work is needed in terms of identifying suitable technology to support communication and data gathering/ sharing between agencies, ensuring a clearer focus on the child and supporting perpetrators, and understanding the capacity of new staff workloads. The following recommendations for working came out of the pilot study: • Working together • Focussing on purpose • Clear roles/responsibilities • Ironing out the referral system and finalise an appropriate IT system • Focus on measures and principles • Use the four steps • Collect agreed visible measures • Collecting continuous feedback from all MEs The timings of the preferred roll-out across Lancashire coincided with the outbreak of the global Covid-19 pandemic. The evaluation of the MARRAC effectively became a process evaluation of the route to implementation across Lancashire 4 with a specific focus on the one area – Blackburn with Darwen – where the MARRAC became a live process from January 2022. The methodological approach was adapted and involved: 1. Qualitative interviews with key stakeholders about the implementation process 2. On-line Surveys for: a. Core and periphery MARRAC team members b. Perpetrators c. Victim-Survivors 3. Reflections on observations of MARRAC meetings Summary of recommendations arising from the MARRAC evaluation study Recommendations for further improvements arising from the finding are as follows: • The need for a sustainable user-friendly IT system • More effective information sharing and data gathering • Move towards co-located working as a priority • Ensure consistent communication and holistic support for all 3 ME’s (particularly perpetrators and children) • Seek regular feedback from the 3 ME’s • Building resource and capacity of the team, where possible • Consider a flex-model delivery where appropriate