MAPPA

MAPPA – Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements

MAPPA in Scotland was been created following the implementation in 2007 of Sections 10 and 11 of the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2005 which require the Scottish Prison Service, Local Authorities and the Police as Responsible Authorities in the geographical area of a Local Authority to jointly establish arrangements for the assessment and management of risks posed by:

  • Category 1 Registered Sex Offenders
  • Category 2 Restricted Patients
  • Category 3 Other Risk of Serious Harm Offenders

This is as detailed in MAPPA National Guidance 2016.

Sections 10(3) and (4) of the 2005 Act provide that in establishing and implementing the joint arrangements, the Responsible Authorities must act in co-operation with such persons as the Scottish Ministers specify by Order. (Duty to Cooperate) As a result it will be the duty of those persons (including agencies and bodies) specified in the order to co-operate with the Responsible Authorities.  Co-operation must be compatible with the exercise by those persons and authorities of their other statutory functions

The following bodies are deemed Responsible Authorities within the Forth Valley:

  • Clackmannanshire Council
  • Falkirk Council
  • NHS Forth Valley
  • Police Scotland
  • Scottish Prison Service
  • Stirling Council
  • The State Hospital Board for Scotland

The following Duty to Co-operate Agencies are agreed on a national basis:

  • Housing Associations and Registered Social Landlords
  • Independent and voluntary sector organisations
  • Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration
  • G4S
  • Persons providing services to, or on behalf of, a responsible authority in connection with the assessment and management of the risks posed by any person to whom section 10(1)(a) of the 2005 Act applies.

Within Forth Valley a central MAPPA administration unit based at Larbert Police Office are responsible for the effective administration of the MAPPA processes on behalf of the Responsible Authorities. Key to this is the acceptance of new referrals to MAPPA, the prompt and efficient sharing of information and ensuring that all MAPPA cases are reviewed within prescribed timescales with all relevant partners attending review meetings.

Persons subject to management under MAPPA will each be assigned a level of risk dependent on their known circumstances and identified risks. This level can change over time as circumstances develop and are identified as follows

  • Low
  • Medium
  • High
  • Very High

The frequency with which a person subject to MAPPA is discussed as at a review meeting will be dependent on their level of risk.

Within MAPPA cases are managed at three distinct Levels which as with risk can change over time, there is however a presumption that an individual will be managed at the lowest safe level.

  • Level 1 – Routine Risk Management
  • Level 2 – Multi Agency Risk Management
  • Level 3 – Multi Agency Public Protection Panels

Further information on the operation of MAPPA can be obtained from any of the local authority Justice Social Work Service Managers, Police Scotland Forth Valley Division OMU or the MAPPA Office at Larbert.