Local multi-agency arrangements for the management of sex offenders in Surrey originallydeveloped as a response to the Sex Offenders Act 1997 when police and probation beganto make joint arrangements for the assessment and management of registered sexoffenders. We have built on those arrangements over the past few years, and we now havemulti-agency protocols agreed by police, probation, housing and social services for theassessment and management of sex offenders and other potentially dangerous offenders.These protocols have been drawn together to form a part of the Surrey Protocol, adocument which illustrates effective multi-agency co-operation in Surrey. The documentwas subject to an extensive consultation process and has now been sanctioned by theStrategic Board. The objectives of the Surrey Protocol are:
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To identify key personnel in lead agencies to provide effective and continuing liaisonbetween the parties to the agreement thereby ensuring effective risk management andrehousing of offenders.
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Describe strategic management and reporting procedures which include the reviewand monitoring of inter-agency arrangements.
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Clarify information sharing across key agencies.
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Describe referral and operating procedures for the Risk Assessment & ManagementPanels to promote consistency in the approach to decision making across the countyand also to ensure that risk is managed effectively between agencies to ensureprotection of the public.
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Describe referral and operating procedures for the Multi-Agency Public ProtectionPanels.
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Set out arrangements for the disclosure of risk information about offenders who havecommitted specific offences and who apply for housing (Housing Act 1996 Part VI, Allocations) or who are accepted as homeless (Housing Act Part VII, Homelessness).
1.INTRODUCTION
S U R R E Y P R O B A T I O N A R E A
M A P P A A n n u a l R e p o r t 2 0 0 2
Enforcement, rehabilitaion and public protection
2.ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1 Although the statutoryresponsibility to assess anddevelop management plansfor potentially dangerousoffenders lies with policeand probation, several otherSurrey agencies are activelyworking to minimise therisks posed by offenders.Both Surrey Children's &Families Services and localauthority housing officersare regularly involved, bothin local Risk Assessmentand Management Panelsand in Multi-Agency PublicProtection Panels.2.2 In addition, other agenciesare committed toinvolvement in the riskassessment andmanagement process forrelevant cases. Forinstance, Surrey Fire &Rescue will assist in caseswhere arsonists areinvolved. Likewise, SurreyYouth Offending Team willsupport the process whereyouth offenders are to beconsidered by a Panel.2.3 Owing to administrativechanges within the localhealth authority, it has notbeen possible to formalisearrangements for regularinvolvement from healthprofessionals in the riskassessment andmanagement process. Thissituation will be resolvedafter 1st April 2002. In theinterim the involvement ofhealth professionals onPanels will continue to beon an ad hoc basis, as andwhen required.2.4 Police, probation, socialservices and various localhousing officers havecollaborated on theproduction of a multi-agency protocol in respectof potentially dangerousoffenders. This describesboth the process and thespecific roles of eachagency. It also addresseshousing issues in respect ofthis category of offender.The document is evidenceof the good workingrelationship that hasdeveloped betweenagencies in Surrey over thepast year.2.5 In January 2002, SurreyPolice restructured into fourDivisional Areas and in thatprocess, established a Vulnerable Persons Unit ineach division. To promoteintegrated working, SurreyProbation joined SurreyPolice to share roles andresponsibilities specificallyin regard to work with sexoffenders and high riskoffenders. Surrey police andprobation will continue theprogramme of joint training,which will include providingan opportunity for policeofficers from the VulnerablePersons Units to be a partof the training programmefor the new NationalProbation Service’sOffender Assessmentsystem risk needs toolwhen it is rolled out inSurrey Probation Area.
3. OUTLINE OF ARRANGEMENTS MADE
3.1Surrey has developed multi-agency arrangements forthe assessment andmanagement of sexual,violent and other dangerousoffenders. Surrey Police hasappointed at least oneRegistration and Assessment Officer in eachpolice division. It is the full-time responsibility of theseofficers to visit all registeredsex offenders and supportthe risk assessment andmanagement process.These officers are locatedwithin each of the fourdivisional VulnerablePersons Units. The set-upof these units wascommended during arecent inspection by HerMajesty's Inspectorate ofConstabulary, as a part ofthe multi-agencySafeguarding ChildrenInspection.3.2 All potentially dangerousoffenders (including allregistered sex offenders)are subject to considerationat a local Risk Assessmentand Management Panel.These meetings are heldmonthly and are chaired bythe Detective Inspectorfrom the local police Vulnerable Persons Unit.Police, probation and otherrelevant agencies (e.g.housing, social services)
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| Upload Date: | 01/24/2008 |
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