Multi‑Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) are the way organisations work together to help protect the public from people who have committed serious sexual or violent offences.
MAPPA brings together the police, probation and prison services, along with other organisations such as local councils, health services and housing providers, so that information can be shared and risks can be managed effectively.
What is the purpose of MAPPA?
The main purpose of MAPPA is to:
- Reduce the risk of serious harm to the public
- Protect children and adults who may be at risk
- Help manage offenders safely in the community
- Support rehabilitation while keeping people safe
MAPPA focuses on preventing further harm, not punishment.
Who is managed under MAPPA?
MAPPA applies to people who have committed:
- Certain sexual offences
- Serious violent offences
- Other offences where there is assessed to be a risk of serious harm
Not everyone who commits an offence is managed through MAPPA. In most cases, people are managed safely through normal police or probation arrangements.
How does MAPPA work?
For people managed under MAPPA:
- Relevant organisations share information lawfully and appropriately
- The risks they may pose are assessed
- A plan is put in place to manage those risks
This plan may include things like supervision, licence conditions, restrictions on where someone can go or who they can contact, and access to support services such as health or treatment programmes.
Are there different levels of MAPPA?
Yes. People are managed at different levels depending on what is needed to keep others safe:
- Ordinary agency management – managed by one organisation with information shared as needed
- Multi‑agency management – several organisations work together and meet to manage risk
- Senior multi‑agency management – used for the most complex or highest‑risk cases
Most people managed under MAPPA are dealt with at the lowest appropriate level.
How does MAPPA link to safeguarding?
MAPPA works alongside:
- Children’s safeguarding arrangements
- Safeguarding adults arrangements
This helps make sure that children and adults who may be affected are protected and that risks are shared and managed properly.
Information sharing and confidentiality
Information is only shared when it is necessary and lawful to do so, and only with organisations that need it to help protect the public. All information is handled securely.
In summary
MAPPA helps organisations work together to protect people from serious harm, while managing offenders safely, lawfully and fairly in the community.