Multi Agency Working (Safeguarding)
North Tyneside Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board coordinates strategy and resources to afford protection, provision and prevention for people exposed to domestic abuse in North Tyneside.
As a result of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 a number of changes were required in how we respond and treat cases of domestic abuse. North Tyneside Council and the wider partnership have worked together to ensure the new duties as set out by the Act are implemented appropriately and efficiently.
When dealing with domestic abuse full consideration will be given to our safeguarding responsibilities. A significant number of adults who need safeguarding are often experiencing domestic abuse in some form.
7.1 Multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC)
A MARAC is a weekly local meeting to discuss how to safeguard and support victims at high risk of murder or serious harm. The four aims of MARAC are:
- To safeguard and support victims of domestic abuse;
- Manage perpetrator behaviour;
- Safeguard professionals; and
- Make links with other safeguarding processes
Information concerning the highest risk domestic abuse cases is shared between representatives of police, probation service, health services, child protection specialists, housing practitioners, independent domestic violence advisors (IDVAs) and other specialists from the statutory and voluntary sectors.
Representatives discuss options for increasing the safety of the victim and these are developed into a co-ordinated action plan. The MARAC also makes links with other bodies to safeguard children and manage the behaviour of the perpetrator. At the heart of the MARAC is the working assumption that no single agency can see the complete picture of the life of a victim, but all may have insights that are crucial to the safety of the victim. The meeting is confidential.
7.2 The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
The purpose of MASH is to co-ordinate support and protection services to children and vulnerable adults. It is led by North Tyneside Council in partnership with Northumbria Police. Health services, North Tyneside Harbour Domestic Abuse Support Service, Northumbria Police, and probation services are also involved. The hub model aims to improve information sharing between the partners so that safeguarding concerns can be identified earlier and managed more effectively.