Risk of serious harm

Standard or medium risk of serious harm

If, having used the DASH Risk Identification Checklist, you have identified the victim as being at a standard or medium risk of serious harm:

consider immediate and long term risks and needs
risk can fluctuate so regularly review risk levels and decision making
discuss basic safety planning with the victim
make sure the victim knows where to go for help from specialist services
signpost to consent based referral Berkshire Women’s Aid (referral form and DASH RIC required) and call 0808 801 0882
signpost and referral to other services (see cue card, services map and domestic abuse services in Bracknell Forest)
for cases involving the most harmful and serial perpetrators, consider a referral to the Multi Agency Tasking and Coordination (MATAC) email: MATACWokandBrac@thamesvalley.police.uk

High risk of serious harm

If, having used the DASH Risk Identification Checklist, you have identified the victim as being at high risk of serious harm, refer the case to MARAC.

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)

The Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) is held every month. During the meeting, local agencies come together with the aim to protect people at high risk of harm or homicide from domestic abuse.

Professionals share information about the victim, the perpetrator, any children, or others who may be at risk. This allows agencies to develop a coordinated action plan to improve safety, reduce harm, and hold perpetrators to account.

Victims do not attend MARAC. They are represented by an independent domestic violence advocate (IDVA) or another professional. This person makes sure their needs and voice stay at the centre of discussions.

Why MARAC matters

Domestic abuse can have devastating, sometimes fatal, consequences. No single organisation holds the full picture, but each may hold crucial information.

MARAC brings together agencies to:

improve safety and wellbeing for victims and their families
reduce repeat incidents of abuse
coordinate timely and effective support
make sure perpetrators are monitored and held accountable

Agencies that attend MARAC

Each MARAC meeting includes designated MARAC officers (DMOs) from key local services, such as:

Thames Valley Police
local health partners (GPs, hospitals, mental health services)
adult and children’s social care
housing services
probation and offender management
specialist domestic abuse services (including IDVAs)
voluntary and community sector organisations

All agencies share relevant information and agree actions they will take to help reduce risk and support the victim.

Criteria for referral to MARAC

A case is referred to MARAC when a professional believes a person, aged 16 or over, is at high risk of serious harm or homicide resulting from domestic abuse.

Risk may be identified by:

professional judgement, where a professional has serious concerns about a victim’s situation
‘visible high risk’, based on the number of indicators on the DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and Honour Based Abuse) Risk Indicator Checklist (RIC)
evidence of repeat victimisation or escalating abuse

MARAC addresses cases with a high risk of serious harm or homicide. Therefore, agencies can share information without consent to protect the victim, children, or others in danger.

Wherever safe and appropriate, professionals should tell the victim about the referral. They should also explain the purpose of MARAC unless doing so would increase risk.

If you are a professional and believe someone is at high risk, speak to your agency’s designated MARAC officer (DMO) for advice or to make a referral. If your agency does not have a DMO, please email the Berkshire East MARAC Coordinator, Anisa Nazir, at anisa.nazir@thamesvalley.police.uk.

How a MARAC meeting works

During a MARAC meeting:

The referring agency submits a referral via the online system, Modus.
Agencies share information they hold about the victim, the perpetrator and any children.
The IDVA presents the victim’s views, concerns and priorities.
The group agrees a multi-agency action plan to reduce risk and increase safety.
Agencies take responsibility for completing their actions and feeding back as required.
The IDVA (or other professional) updates the victim on relevant actions.

Actions might include:

safety planning and IDVA support
target-hardening measures for the victim’s home
priority housing moves or tenancy changes
police monitoring, bail conditions or other enforcement
health and social care interventions for the victim or children
perpetrator management through probation or behavioural programmes

Information shared at MARAC is strictly confidential and used only to safeguard the victim and others at risk. All agencies must follow the local MARAC Information Sharing Agreement and the principles of the Data Protection Act 2018.

Training for professionals

For information about local risk assessment training, email learning.development@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.