Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA): overview report 2019 to 2020

4.0 Risk Management Authority

Risk Practice Course

Through 2019/2020, the Risk Management Authority (RMA) has continued to deliver 'Fundamentals of Risk Practice' training to Justice Social Work staff and Police Offender Management Officers. One course was delivered to 24 Justice Social Workers bringing the total number of staff trained to 592. A second course was scheduled for March 2020 but had to be cancelled due to COVID-19. Two courses were delivered to 43 Police Offender Management Officers and a total of 318 staff have now been trained. The course is intended to support risk assessment and management practice for individuals who present a risk of serious harm. Ongoing evaluation of the training indicates a significant increase in confidence and knowledge across the training.

The training for Justice Social Workers has been developed further and there is now a requirement for attendees to submit a Risk Management Plan (RMP) for post-training evaluation and feedback. This was introduced from the October 2019 training course. To successfully complete the training course, trainees must submit an RMP which must be evaluated as meeting the required standard. The purpose of this is to support the transfer of learning from training to practice.

The RMA have also worked with the Scottish Prison Service to design and deliver training on the case management of individuals subject to an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR). One course was delivered in September 2019 to 25 case managers.

Internet Practice Model

In response to the Joint Thematic Review of MAPPA in Scotland, the RMA completed a literature review, which examined the risk posed by internet offenders. This has informed the development of a practice model which aims to support decision-making with regard to the assessment of internet offenders. A multi-agency working group has been convened featuring representation from Social Work, Police, academia and Scottish Government. The working group will support the development, piloting and evaluation of the model. The project is currently in the development phase and work is ongoing to finalise the development of the model and plan for the pilot. This work aims to fulfil the Joint Thematic Review's recommendation for practice guidance to be developed on the assessment of risk posed by internet offenders.