MARAC Self Assessment

MARAC Self Assessment will enable you to monitor and manage the performance of your MARAC for continuous improvement. It is a simple and effective framework which helps you review your local MARAC process and identify trends in local and regional performance. All MARACs in England and Wales should undertake Self Assessment once a year.

What does Self Assessment involve?
The multi-agency partnership will answer a detailed questionnaire about their MARAC which considers the following questions:

• Is the MARAC hearing the right cases?
• Are the right people at the MARAC?
• Is the right information being shared and does the MARAC respond appropriately?
• Does the MARAC have effective operational support and governance?
• Does the MARAC support adult and child victims?
• Is the MARAC measuring outcomes, do these make the victim and children safer and if not, what changes have been implemented to address this?

After you've submitted your questionnaire to CAADA, your MARAC Development Officer (MDO) will analyse the results. They'll use the results to support you to identify the actions required to develop operational practice and governance and better evidence outcomes from the MARAC process.

Your MDO will arrange a timetable for this development work which reflects your needs and priorities during 2012-2015.

How does Self Assessment relate to the 10 principles for an effective MARAC?
Self Assessment and the 10 principles for an effective MARAC reflect the same basic advice and guidance around MARACs. However, they have two different functions:

•  Self Assessment has been designed to be a simple and effective tool to assist MARACs to review their performance, specifically in relation to those aspects of practice that most immediately affect outcomes in terms of victim safety.

•  In contrast, the 10 principles for an effective MARAC provide detailed guidance, and specify the standard, around operational and strategic practice for a MARAC. At the core of each principle is the safety of the victim, which needs to be considered at all stages of the process from identification to information sharing, and from action planning to governance. Ensuring that the victim is supported throughout the process and represented at the MARAC is crucial to managing risk, improving safety and reducing repeat victimisation. For more information on the 10 principles, click here.

Find out more about Self Assessment
To find out more and begin the self assessment process, contact your local MDO.

• Self assessment questionnaire
• Guidance document
• Self assessment process flowchart

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