Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA): overview report 2020 to 2021

2. The National Picture

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Scotland's Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements are an excellent example of joint working between justice partners which is driven by the shared aim of managing individuals who present a risk of serious harm and ensuring that the protection of the public remains paramount.

This was clearly evidenced when the Government COVID-19 restrictions were put in place to manage the spread of the virus, which impacted on the way in which MAPPA operated across the country.

This notwithstanding, Scotland's Responsible Authorities and duty to co-operate agencies were fast to respond and a series of contingency measures were urgently put in place to enable MAPPA partners to continue to work together, to focus on risk management and continued protection of the public.

Nationally MAPPA has seen a number of developments in the past 12 months and work continues to deliver future improvement to the arrangements.