National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders: guidance on environmental risk assessments

4.0 Timescales for Environmental Risk Assessments

An ERA is accurate at the time it is undertaken, but owing to the continual changing nature of communities, Responsible Authorities must keep them under review. Under MAPPA arrangements, at review meetings housing must be discussed and considered. All registered sex offenders will be subject of an initial ERA (including any subsequent address) and thereafter every year a full review of the ERA will be carried out.

If an annual review is not carried out the Responsible Authorities must fully consider the rationale for not doing so and must document their reasons for taking this decision.

Whilst it is recognised that some cases may be complex and require more in depth research it is recommended as a minimum that an initial ERA should be carried out by all agencies after notification within 7 clear working days (Sex Offender Liaison Officer to have 2 full working days and other agencies 5 full working days to carry out the checks).

As a minimum, an annual review should be carried out by all agencies within 21 clear working days of the date of renewal.

When it becomes known that the circumstances of the registered sex offender or the environment in which they live has changed, Responsible Authorities on a case by case basis can trigger the need for a review of the ERA. The review frequency should be in line with the risks posed. Any changes must be highlighted ini ViSOR and any relevant internal management systems.

Responsible Authorities must routinely question registered sex offenders in relation to their current housing, including contact with neighbours and third party visitors such as health visitors and carers. All staff carrying out home visits to registered sex offenders must remain vigilant to changes in surrounding areas/environment/residents. Where concerns or progress are identified, Responsible Authorities must review the risk assessment.