Multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC)

What is MARAC?

A Multi‑Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) is a meeting where information is shared between key agencies about individuals who are assessed as being at high risk of serious harm or homicide due to domestic abuse.

Agencies typically include:

• Police
• Adult Social Care
• Children’s Services
• Health providers
• Housing
• Probation
• Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs)
• Relevant voluntary and community organisations

At each MARAC, agencies share relevant information and agree a coordinated, multi‑agency safety plan.

All victims discussed at MARAC are offered support from an IDVA, who represents their views and helps ensure their voice is central to decision‑making.

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Purpose of MARAC

The core purposes of MARAC are to:

• Safeguard victims of domestic abuse, including adults and children within the household
• Reduce the risk of repeat harm and escalation
• Manage the behaviour of perpetrators through coordinated agency actions
• Support professionals through shared risk understanding and joint planning
• Ensure alignment with wider safeguarding processes (including safeguarding adults and safeguarding children arrangements)

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Identifying High‑Risk Cases

A referral to MARAC should be considered where there is evidence of high risk of serious harm or homicide, including:

1. Structured Risk Assessment

• A completed DASH Risk Identification Checklist (RIC) indicates high risk (e.g. threshold of 14 ‘yes’ responses or local equivalent)

2. Professional Judgement

• A practitioner believes the individual is at high risk, even if the threshold is not met
• This may include:
  • Escalating patterns of abuse
  • Significant fear, coercion, or control
  • Barriers to disclosure (e.g. cultural factors, immigration status, language)

3. Repeat Cases

• The case has been referred to MARAC previously and risk has re‑escalated

Important: Practitioners must clearly record the rationale for referral, especially where professional judgement is used.

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How MARAC Works

• Each agency prepares relevant information in advance
• Information is shared proportionately and lawfully
• Risks are discussed and specific actions are agreed
• Actions are allocated to agencies with clear accountability
• The case is tracked to reduce risk and improve safety outcomes

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Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP)

MARAC processes should reflect Making Safeguarding Personal principles, including:

• Focusing on what the person wants to happen
• Ensuring their views are represented (via the IDVA where necessary)
• Taking a strengths‑based and trauma‑informed approach
• Respecting rights, dignity, and autonomy

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Information Sharing

Information shared at MARAC must be:

• Necessary and proportionate to manage risk
• Relevant to safeguarding and public protection
• Shared in line with:
  • Data Protection Act 2018 / UK GDPR
  • Common law duty of confidentiality
  • Relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance

Practitioners should ensure information sharing decisions are clearly recorded.

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Referral Process

Who can refer?

Any professional working with a victim who is assessed as high risk can refer to MARAC.

How to refer

Referrals should be made securely using the agreed local process.

Current referral route:

• Secure email: vulnerability.hub@cheshire.police.uk

Supporting documents:

• Completed DASH Risk Identification Checklist
• MARAC referral form
• Any supporting risk information

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Links with Other Safeguarding Processes

MARAC does not replace other safeguarding processes.

Practitioners must also consider:

• Safeguarding Adults enquiries (Care Act 2014)
• Child safeguarding processes (Working Together to Safeguard Children)
• MAPS / multi‑agency planning arrangements
• Domestic Abuse Partnership responses

Cases may progress in parallel depending on risk and need.