MAPPA

What is MAPPA?

This is Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements.

It is the name given to a set of arrangements in England and Wales regarding the management of offenders who:

• receive a custodial sentence
  and
• pose a serious risk of harm to the public

What does it involve?

It was introduced by the Criminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000 and was then strengthened under the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

It involves services coming together to ensure the right support is in place and that the public are kept safe.

Whilst some of this information will be confidential our staff will ensure that young people and their families are kept up to date around these processes.

Duty of co-operation

The authorities which have a 'duty to co-operate' with MAPPA include:

• Youth Offending Service
   
• National Probation Directorate
   
• HM Prison Service
   
• England and Wales Police Forces
   
• Other agencies who work with authorities such as:
   
  
  • Social services
  • Health services
  • Housing authorities
  • Home detention curfew service

Categories

Category 1

Registered Sex Offenders.

Category 2

Young people convicted of a sexual offence or violent offence who are sentenced to 12 months in custody or more.

Category 3

Any young person who poses a 'risk of serious harm to the public' who has received a conviction not fitting into the above categories and whose risk would be better managed in a multi-agency setting.

Risk assessments

Before a management plan is put in place a detailed risk assessment will take place to identify the circumstances and opportunities that are most likely to lead to a further serious offence in this particular offender and the steps that can help reduce this risk.

This will study the offender's previous offending history, life circumstances.  For young offenders, the Youth Justice Board uses a system called ASSET which is specifically designed to understand the behaviours of offenders under the age of eighteen.

The legislation requires that the agencies involved in MAPPA conduct a formal risk assessment of each offender and allocate them to one of 3 levels of multi-agency management.

Level 1

This represents normal agency supervision where professionals liaise with each other but do not have a formal MAPPA meeting.

Level 2

Panel meetings are held where the offender's management will be discussed between various parties involved in their case to agree a risk management plan.

Level 3

Where a young person needs extra resources or support within their risk management plan