MARACs are described in the Home Office's statutory guidance on the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (paragraphs 433 to 436). A MARAC is a non-statutory process that brings statutory and voluntary agencies together to support adult and child victims at high risk, and to disrupt the perpetrator's behaviour.
How it works:
- Local agencies refer high-risk cases. Before the meeting, each agency gathers relevant information about the victim, the children and the perpetrator.
- Meetings usually happen monthly or fortnightly. The core agencies listed include the police, independent domestic violence advisers (IDVAs), housing, children's services, probation and health.
- The victim, children and perpetrator don't attend. An IDVA represents the victim.
- The victim is usually told their case is going to MARAC, unless that would be unsafe.
Schools aren't among the core agencies the guidance lists. Depending on local arrangements, the DSL may be asked for information about a child, or be told of actions that involve the school.
Don't confuse MARAC with:
- MAPPA, which manages the risk from certain offenders
- MASH, the multi-agency front door for concerns about children
A MARAC doesn't replace a child protection referral. If the DSL is worried a child is at risk of significant harm, they refer to children's social care.