Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA)

Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) are the statutory partnership working arrangements introduced in 2007 under section 10 of the Management of Offenders etc. (Scotland) Act 2005. The purpose of MAPPA is public protection and the reduction of serious harm. In Scotland, the MAPPA brings together the police, Scottish Prison Service (SPS), health and the local authorities in partnership as the Responsible Authorities, to assess and manage the risk posed for certain categories of offender. A duty to co‑operate extends to other services including the Third Sector (such as those providing housing services). Multi-agency consideration must be given to managing high-risk individuals. For those who have committed sexual offences, multi-agency consideration will include their levels of contact with children, both within the family and within the community in general. These considerations will also be taken into account, where appropriate, for individuals convicted of certain violent offences (those assessed under MAPPA as 'Other Risk of Serious Harm' individuals).

Children and young people who offend are considered to be children in need and are very rarely managed by MAPPA processes. There may be exceptions to this for the purposes of protecting members of the public from serious harm (whether or not physical harm). The child's welfare must remain a primary consideration in plans and decisions. A lead professional, who must be a qualified social worker, would have a key role in ensuring co‑ordination of assessment and next steps within a developing but coherent single plan.

The Violent and Sex Offender Register (ViSOR) is the agreed system used by MAPPA. This is a UK-wide IT system which is intended to facilitate inter-agency communication and ensure that the responsible authorities contribute, share and securely store critical information about MAPPA offenders. It improves the capacity to share intelligence and supports the immediate transfer of key information when offenders move between areas.

The Scottish Government has published guidance on the review of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements when offenders managed under these arrangements commit, or attempt to commit, further serious crimes. The guidance sets out the steps for conducting a Significant Case Review to examine whether agencies effectively applied MAPPA arrangements and worked together effectively. Revised National Guidance on MAPPA (Scottish Government 2016) will be published in 2021. Further information on MAPPA may be found here: Multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) in Scotland: national overview report 2018 to 2019 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).