1.  What is high risk?

When a referral is made to MARAC there should be evidence of imminent risk of serious harm or death.

2. What is imminent risk?

Imminent risk refers to a situation where there is a clear and immediate threat of significant injury, damage, or danger to someone’s health, safety, or well-being. It typically implies that the harm is not just a possibility or a future concern but is something that could happen very soon if no action is taken.

3. What is serious harm? 

A risk which is life threatening and/or traumatic, and from which recovery, whether physical or psychological, can be expected to be difficult or impossible’

4.  What should I do if I am not sure my case is suitable for MARAC?

Discuss the case with your safeguarding lead and/or manager. You could also have a consultation with Compass.

5. I have not been trained to do a DASH Risk Assessment can I still refer a case to MARAC?

Risk Assessment and safety planning go hand in hand, anyone completing a DASH should also be completing a safety plan with a victim.  If you have not been trained to risk assess then consult with with your safeguarding lead and/or manager. You could also have a consultation with Compass.  Most of our local domestic abuse agencies will offer training on risk assessment and safety planning, so agencies should contact them to discuss their needs.

6. Can I refer a case to MARAC without getting my Managers sign off?

No, this is a mandatory question on the MARAC referral form.  We expect Service Managers to quality assure all referrals made to MARAC.

7. Why do I need to ask the victim if they wish to speak to the Police?

All crimes disclosed on a MARAC referral form will be automatically recorded by the Police, so they need to know if a victim wishes to be contacted by them regarding any information that has been disclosed on the referral and safest method to do this. If a serious crime is disclosed on the referral form the Police may be obliged to investigate this.

8. Who is considered to be a family member under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 definition?

A ‘relative’ remains as per the definition, taken from the Family Law Act 1996; ‘relative’, in relation to a person, means— (a)the father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, grandmother, grandfather, grandson or granddaughter of that person or of that person’s [spouse, former spouse, civil partner or former civil partner], or (b)the brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew or first cousin (whether of the full blood or of the half blood or by marriage or civil partnership of that person or of that person’s spouse, former spouse, civil partner or former civil partner.

9. What is third party information and why should it not be included on the MARAC referral form?

Third party information is provided by people who are not the victim, perpetrator and any children on the referral form.

No one who is not the victim, perpetrator or any children should be named within the referral form or in any other information shared on the case.  They can however be referred to by generic labels such as ‘neighbour’, ‘friend’, ‘sister’, ‘cousin’ etc.

10.What do I do if MARAC reject my referral

If your referral is rejected you will be told why.  It may be that the referral form was not completed properly so you will need to correct it and resubmit it.   If your referral doesn’t meet the high risk threshold you should review the case and make appropriate referrals to other support services to meet your client’s needs.

11. What will happen if MARAC accept my referral?

Your MARAC referral will be listed to be heard at the earliest opportunity and you will be notified what day this is as you will be expected to attend the meeting (MS Teams) to present the referral and share up to date information.

12. Can I observe a MARAC?

Yes by appointment.  Contact your local MARAC to arrange a mutually convenient time.

13. Can I be a MARAC Chair?

You should work for a SET based agency and have the support of your agency to get involved.  You must have knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse, risk assessment and safety planning and have experience of working with multi-agency partners and participating in multi-agency meetings.  Contact your local MARAC to find out more.